Government - Hastings Journal

Governor Walz Signs State’s Largest-Ever Infrastructure Bill Into Law

Governor Tim Walz signed a $2.6 billion infrastructure bill, the largest in state history, into law alongside Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, legislators, labor leaders, and advocates on June 1. … more

6/9/23

City bond rating among top 15% in state

Standard & Poor’s, one of the nation’s bond-rating agencies, recently upgraded the City of Hastings general obligation bonds to AA+ and assigned an AA+ rating to the city’s … more

6/9/23

Planning for expanded improvements at Civic Ice Arena, Veterans Athletic Complex have council support

The Hastings City Council on Monday night approved for planning to get underway for expansion and redevelopment of the Hastings Civic Ice Arena and the Veterans Athletic Complex. Consulting firm … more

6/9/23

Eight Fire/EMS personnel recognized at Badge Pinning Ceremony

The City of Hastings Fire/EMS Department held a badge-pinning ceremony on May 30. Congratulations to the following personnel, who were promoted, took an oath of office and received a badge: … more

6/8/23

MnDOT makes changes to allow more Hwy. 61 business access

Hastings residents gave their input on the proposed plans for the Hwy. 61 redevelopment, slated for 2027, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) listened. Bryant Ficek, Area … more

By John McLoone | 6/8/23

Dogs and Cats are required to be under the control of their owner at all times when outdoors. It is illegal and unsafe for pets to roam free in Hastings.

Can pets roam free in Hastings?

Social media randomly proves to be useful now and then, especially for story ideas. This particular idea came from a person upset that there are cats roaming free in their neighborhood. Not contained … more

By Bruce Karnick | 5/25/23

The Police Week open house has been held on Main Street in downtown Hastings for the past few years. It is now making a return to the police department at the corner of Third Street East and Sibley Street.

Hastings police department prepares for National Police Week

The Hastings Police Department (HPD) in conjunction with the Hastings Fire Department and Dakota County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) will hold their annual Police Week open house this year on May … more

By Bruce Karnick | 5/11/23

Crews monitor the area to ensure the fire goes only where they want it to. A drip torch with a mixture of gas and diesel fuel is used to start the fires and they use water to control it.

Industrial Park receives a controlled burn

Controlled burns are carefully planned to help restore specific areas to a more natural state. They help remove invasive species of plants and allow the regrowth needed to strengthen the local … more

By Bruce Karnick | 5/4/23

Flooding continues to impact roads around Hastings

The flooding of the Mississippi River continues to close roads around Hastings as the predicted crest keeps getting pushed out by the National Weather Service. Hastings hit major flood stage back on … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/27/23

Parks and Rec Commission sends three recommendations to City Council

The Parks and Rec Commission (PRC) held their monthly meeting in the City Council Chambers on April 19th at 6:00 p.m. The agenda was set for three different recommendations for council and an update … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/27/23

Community Investment Fund projects approved

The Hastings City Council set aside $100,000 last year to create a new Community Investment Fund. Community organizations were invited to apply for funding for projects to take place on … more

By John McLoone | 4/27/23

Non-profits say gambling ordinance change would have big negative impact

A proposal to require a bigger share of lawful gambling profits to be spent in Hastings has drawn the ire of non-profit organizations that oversee the sale of pull tabs at bars in the city. The … more

By John McLoone | 4/27/23

The media circus around the Governor is interesting to watch, especially in a small town like Hastings. Some of the stations had been there since six or seven in the morning waiting for the Governor to arrive. This location was chosen because of the Mississippi River and Hastings Bridge back drop.

Governor Walz visits Hastings before flood

Friday, April 14th, Governor Tim Walz paid a visit to the Hastings riverfront to discuss flood preparedness and how the State of Minnesota is at the ready to help communities in need due to rapidly … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/21/23

The third annual Sound the Siren event has begun

The third annual “Sound the Siren” food drive to the United Way’s Food 4 Kids program is underway in Hastings. The Sound the Siren food drive is a friendly competition between the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/20/23

Attempt to cut cannabis license fee fails

An attempt to get the fee city businesses would need to pay to get licensed to sell cannabis in Hastings reduced $2,000 annually failed at the Hastings City Council meeting on Monday, … more

4/13/23

The graphic roughly shows three areas. Area 1 is the current space owned by the City of Hastings and zoned as park space. Area 2 was recently rezoned from park space to Commercial / Industrial but that can be zoned back to park space. Area 3 is currently owned by HEDRA and is not currently available as park space.

Parks Commission holds workshop to brainstorm ideas for 2023 and beyond.

Being a parks commissioner on the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) is an interesting position to hold. Compared to other commissions such as the Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) and the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/23/23

Hastings News Briefs

The City of Hastings has issued some updates around the Highway 61 project, the upcoming summer season at the Hastings Aquatic Center and others. Here is a brief summary of each update. Aquatic … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/23/23

The Hastings Lions Club presented a check to the Hastings Fire Department to help cover the costs of mental health services provided to the Fire Department. Left to Right: Jolynn Frandrup, Chief John Townsend and Brenda Irvin.

Lions makes donation to Hastings Fire Department

On Friday, March 10th, Jolynn Frandrup and Brenda Irvin from the Hastings Lions Club presented a check to Hastings Fire Department Chief John Townsend. The funds were raised by the Lions Club’s … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/16/23

The Midtown District may see many changes to the access to businesses including limited left-turn options.

Residents, business owners sound off on Hwy. 61 Plan

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the City of Hastings held the third and final public meeting at Hastings City Hall around the redesign of the Vermillion Street Corridor (VSC) … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/16/23

Cannabis regulations would start July 1

The City of Hastings’ licensing and zoning requirements for businesses that sell or cultivate cannabis will take effect July 1. The city council voted in the fall to put a moratorium in … more

By John McLoone | 3/16/23