News - Hastings Journal

Repair work to result in overnight closure of Prescott lift bridge

The bascule (lift) bridge that carries US 10 over the St. Croix River from Prescott to Point Douglas Park in Denmark Township, Minn., will be closed overnight for up to three nights, so bridge … more

9/30/26

Longtime Hastings sports figure charged with 13 felonies

Derrick Lee Pfeffer, a former Hastings athlete with decades of connections to the local baseball community, is facing 13 felony charges in Washington County involving allegations of sexual conduct … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/30/26

Hastings High School explores move to block scheduling

Hastings High School could eventually move from its traditional seven-period school day to a four-period block schedule as administrators look for ways to expand career pathways, electives, … more

By John McLoone | 9/30/26

Council clears environmental review hurdle for Pleasant Valley Farms

The proposed Pleasant Valley Farms development took two significant steps forward Monday night, Sept. 21, as the Hastings City Council determined that a more extensive Environmental Impact Statement … more

By John McLoone | 9/30/26

Hastings School Board selects School Perceptions for referendum survey

Hastings Public Schools will ask households throughout Independent School District 200 for their views on potentially increasing operating referendum funding, with the School Board selecting School … more

By John McLoone | 9/30/26

Bekki Kammeyer named administrator for Hastings Veterans Home and Domiciliary Program

Bekki Kammeyer has been named the new administrator for the Minnesota Veterans Homes in Hastings and the Domiciliary Program based at the Hastings and Minneapolis Veterans Homes, bringing more than … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/30/26

Emotional Rescue Asks, “What Would You Do?”

Your dog goes missing! You come across a stray dog! What would you do? Being in the rescue and sanctuary business, Mama Shannon Tarr of Emotional Rescue would really like all of us to have a workable … more

By Nicole DePalma | 9/30/26

Electric bikes, mopeds, e-scooters and motorcycles may look similar, but Minnesota rules differ depending on the type of vehicle, the rider’s age and where it is operated. The “Know your ride” graphic highlights some of the basic differences riders and parents should understand.

Hastings police, county sheriff and state senator focus on e-bike safety

Hastings police, county sheriff and state senator focus on e-bike safety By Bruce Karnick and Nicole DePalma Electric bikes and other electric-powered transportation devices have become a familiar … more

By Bruce Karnick and Nicole DePalma | 9/30/26

Hastings High School celebrates Homecoming with coronation, competition and Raider pride

Hastings High School students packed the gym Friday afternoon for a Homecoming Pep Fest that mixed school spirit, competition, recognition and a little bit of chaos as students wrapped up a week of … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/30/26

Photo Cutlines Members of Hastings VFW Post 1210 gather with Mayor Mary Fasbender at Soldiers and Sailors Cemetery after raising a flag on the cemetery’s newly installed flagpole. The VFW purchased the replacement pole after the previous one had deteriorated to the point that a flag could not be raised for this year’s Memorial Day observance. The post is also working with the city on future improvements to the historic cemetery.

Hastings VFW begins new effort to preserve historic veterans cemetery

By Bruce Karnick bruce@hastingsjournal.news A new flag is flying over Soldiers and Sailors Cemetery in Hastings after Hastings VFW Post 1210 replaced a deteriorating flagpole that could no longer be … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/30/26

School district, city continue talks over Hastings Civic Arena costs

The Hastings School Board and City of Hastings appear headed toward more discussion over who should pay for major improvements at the Hastings Civic Arena — and what the district should pay to use … more

By John McLoone | 9/29/26

The sports scoring app is designed to be intuitive, simple and quick, allowing anyone to score Hastings varsity soccer and volleyball games to help tell the story of the student-athletes each week in the Hastings Journal. If you would like to volunteer to help score games, please email bruce@hastingsjournal.news

Parents, fans, coaches and students help establish online scoring app for reporting

Raider fans, especially parents, know just how much running is required each week of the sports season. They understand that on a personal level, so, when they recognize just how much running this … more

Editorial By Bruce Karnick | 9/25/26

Hastings woman faces new criminal sexual conduct charge

A 30-year-old Hastings woman already facing prosecution in an earlier child sexual abuse case has been charged with another felony following a separate investigation by the Hastings Police … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/25/26

Honey, they didn’t shrink the Hastings Journal that much

When the change happened at the start of August 2026, we knew it would come as a surprise to readers. Our owner and editor John McLoone even put the explanation on the very top of the front page … more