News - Hastings Journal

Hastings man charged with third-degree murder

A Hastings man is facing a third-degree murder charge in Dakota County after authorities say he provided methamphetamine to another man who later died from acute drug toxicity, according to a … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/1/26

The third annual First Responders Benefit at the Hastings Golf Club took place on March 29 with a strong showing and fun had by all while raising funds for Hastings First Responders.

Third annual First Responders Benefit another success

A steady stream of community members stopped by the Hastings Public House and Golf Club on Sunday afternoon, March 29, for the third annual Hastings First Responders benefit, an event that mixed live … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/1/26

Dakota County Board recognizes employees, advances wide-ranging agenda at March 24 meeting

The Dakota County Board of Commissioners moved quickly through a lengthy agenda Tuesday, March 24, approving a wide array of consent items before turning its attention to recognizing county employees … more

By John McLoone | 4/1/26

School board recognizes student, staff achievement

The Hastings School District 200 Board of Education opened its Wednesday, March 25 meeting on a celebratory note, recognizing a wide range of student and coaching accomplishments that highlighted … more

By John McLoone | 4/1/26

Legislative Update

Remember the days when Governor Ventura demanded lower vehicle tab fees, and Minnesotans paid a flat rate of $189 for a new car and that dropped to a flat fee of $89 after that? Yeah, those days … more

By Tom Dippel District 41-B | 4/1/26

Legislative Update

Fraud Update I’ve heard the concerns of many of my constituents about fraud and the theft of taxpayer dollars, and I share those concerns. I’m incredibly frustrated that programs meant to help … more

By Senator Judy Seeberger | 4/1/26

At least three local volunteer organizations make massive upgrades to their online presence

The challenges facing businesses, clubs, networking groups and a plethora of other entities around the world is a list far too great to put into one story, but for local organizations, membership and … more

Op/Ed by Bruce Karnick bruce@hastingsjournal.news | 3/25/26

15 Hastings wrestlers earn NWCA High School Scholar All-American

The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) annually awards high school wrestlers across the nation awards for academic achievement. This year, Hastings had 15 wrestlers earn the award, several … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/25/26

Hastings City Council approves grants, development agreement

The Hastings City Council handled a full slate of routine business Monday, March 16, approving numerous items in a single unanimous vote through its consent agenda, including community grants, … more

By John McLoone | 3/24/26

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Duane John Foss of Hastings is honored on Panel 27E, Line 108 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Foss, born Aug. 24, 1948, was killed Oct. 14, 1967, in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, at age 19, and is remembered among Dakota County’s fallen from the Vietnam War.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial has Hastings ties

Members of the Hastings Area Rotary Club welcomed local Vietnam veteran Herb Reckinger for a presentation that blended history, remembrance, and hometown connections, as he shared the stories of two … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/24/26

The Hastings Hawks and the City of Hastings added 20 feet of space to the concessions stand at the baseball field at Veterans Park. Part of that expansion included a complete rebuilding of the awnings and natural ventilation of the roof on both the concessions stand and utility shed as well as replacing the shingles on the 26-year-old buildings.

Veterans Park baseball concessions stand upgrade nearly complete

During the 2024-25 offseason, the Hastings Hawks board decided to check another big item off their capital improvement plan for Veterans Park, a much-needed concessions stand expansion. Months of … more

By John McLoone | 3/24/26

Hastings Spiral Bridge linked Washington County with downtown Hastings

Today it is but a memory, but there was time it was grand. What was grand, you say? Why the Hastings Spiral Bridge, leaving Washington County at a steady incline to cross the Mississippi River before … more

By Joseph Back | 3/24/26

BCA releases 2025 Permit to Carry Annual Report

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) released the 2025 Permit to Carry Report, which contains data submitted by Minnesota law enforcement agencies … more

3/21/26

Lawmakers to Present Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Residents of Manufactured Home Parks

ST. PAUL, Minn. — On Tuesday, March 17, Senator Liz Boldon (DFL-Rochester), Senator Judy Seeberger (DFL-Afton), Representative Matt Norris (DFL-Blaine), will join advocates and residents to roll … more

3/21/26

Dakota County commissioners hear annual mosquito control update

The Dakota County Board of Commissioners received its annual update on mosquito and tick activity March 3, hearing a detailed report from the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) outlining … more

By John McLoone | 3/19/26

HEDRA takes step toward redevelopment of former Hastings Creamery site

The future of the former Hastings Creamery property moved a step closer to redevelopment during the March 12 meeting of the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority (HEDRA), where … more

By John McLoone | 3/19/26

The tools used for snow removal when these big storms hit sure have improved over the years. Many still use shovels, but snowblowers have become more powerful and the emergence of plows on the front of 4-wheelers has become a widely popular way to clear driveways in town. They are more suitable for the smaller residential spaces than the pickups with a plow and much more affordable. Some residents even have small tractors or skid loaders at their disposal.

Blizzard conditions hit most of Minnesota Saturday night into Sunday

The talk of the state last week was about the potential for a massive winter storm to hit the majority of Minnesota over a two-day span. The storm was expected to roll into Hastings late afternoon on … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/19/26

Newly appointed Police Chief Kyle Linscheid.

Commander Kyle Linscheid appointed to replace retiring Police Chief David Wilske

The City of Hastings is preparing to welcome a new leader to its police department, continuing a line of leadership that stretches back more than a century and a half. City officials recently … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/19/26

Property values rise modestly in Dakota County

Property values across Dakota County continued to climb in the latest annual assessment, though increases were smaller than in recent years, according to a market value update presented to the Dakota … more

By John McLoone | 3/19/26

At the end of the Rotary Club’s meeting, both Students of the Month were joined by family and members of the school district for a group photo.

Hastings Area Rotary Club celebrates two Students of the Month, Charlie Reamer and Ellie Magnus

The Hastings Area Rotary Club recognizes Hastings High School seniors who exemplify Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self through its Student of the Month program. Each school year, eight senior … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/19/26