News - Hastings Journal

The new bus for Cassia Senior Health and Living that is being used to transport their residents around Hastings for a variety of reasons like shopping, sightseeing, day trips, appointments and more.

Cassia Senior Health and Living has a new bus to transport seniors thanks to Hastings community

Most residents of Hastings move freely around town as needed, to those who have that freedom, it is part of everyday life. Those who have transportation challenges understand how important the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 12/17/25

This year’s Hastings Lights Tour is spread across three different routes: Sparkling Spruce Grotto, Santa's Warmup Lap, and Reindeers' Runway. The full list of addresses and map can be found on the City of Hastings’ website.

Hastings Light show tour brings holiday cheer

The 2025 Hastings light show tour is officially up! Spread across three different routes, homes and businesses decorated for the holidays can be found across the city ready for viewing. From string … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 12/17/25

The Gutsch family had a picture with Santa on the stage.

O-W Booster Club Santa Day and Craft Show

The O-W Booster Club held another successful Santa Day and Craft Show on Saturday, December 13. The gym, Forward Center, IMC, and hallways at the Owen-Withee School were full of vendors. About 16 … more

By Cindy Cardinal | 12/17/25

3M Cottage Grove Site Manager Derek Kneir presented about the history of the Cottage Grove site and showcased a number of products made there to a nearly empty room for the inaugural 3M Cottage Grove Community Meeting, which was mandated by the MPCA.

Inaugural 3M community meeting draws no attendees

The inaugural 3M Cottage Grove site community meeting lacked community. To a nearly empty room containing one reporter, 3M Cottage Grove site manager Derek Kneir spoke to the history of the site and … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 12/16/25

Resident Andy Bauer shared video and photos of the CPKC Holiday Train from his place in the Lake Isabel Flats Apartments as it approached downtown Hastings. The apartments provide a unique vantage point to see events going on in downtown.

CPKC Holiday Train donates $4,500 to Hastings Family Service

Windchills into the negative 20s did not stop a crowd from gathering in and around Depot Park for the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Holiday train’s annual stop in Hastings. Bundled beneath … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 12/16/25

The Hastings Prescott Art Council hosted its annual gala at The Confluence Hotel last week, raising over $40,000 to support next year’s programming and art grants.

HPAC Gala raises $40,000 for 2026 programming

The Hastings Prescott Art Council (HPAC) celebrated its annual gala last Sunday, raising just over $40,000, which allows for several programs next year “to be already funded,” said HPAC … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 12/16/25

Walz administration is responsible for statewide fraud

Legislative update: State Rep. Tom Dippel column head Walz administration is responsible for statewide fraud Minnesota has a fraud problem. For years, the Walz administration and Democrats … more

By Tom Dippel, District 41-B | 12/11/25

Hastings city officials and members of the Arts and Culture Commission gathered for the ribbon cutting on the new civic arena mural that depicts famous players from Hastings’ hockey and figure skating past.

Civic Arena showcases Hastings hockey history

For weeks now residents may have noticed a little more color than usual on the west wall of the Hastings Civic Arena. While the new mural, from artists Lili Lennox and Niko Alexander, has been up for … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 12/10/25

Survey shows students optimistic, staff soured on district

Project Manager Darin Sievers with School Perceptions returned to ISD 200 to discuss the results of the 2025 School Perception Survey at the Dec. 3 school board work session. The survey queried … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 12/10/25

The tradition of Christmas trees were popularized in Britian by Prince Albert, with the Christmas tree prominently displayed in London in 1848. It is one of the many disparate influences that have affected how Christmas is celebrated today, and it was those origins that David Kuball, Treasurer of the Golden Valley Historical Society, spoke to last week at December’s Mendota After Hours.

The origins of Christmas traditions

The iconography, characters and traditions of Christmas have a long history, stretching back across cultures and religions. From Germanic tribes to Roman holidays to Coca Cola commercials, how the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 12/10/25

Dakota County residents were largely unfazed by the 9.9% levy increase in the Dakota County 2026 budget at the Truth-in-Taxation meeting last week where they spoke about sticker shock, home valuation, and cut social programs.

Dakota County Budget to cut $8 million in services

Residents largely stamped their approval on the Dakota County budget process last week at the Truth-in-Taxation meeting on the county’s 2026 budget and levy increase. While the 2026 budget … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 12/10/25

Jordan Horejsi, Project Manager at HRG for the Highway 42 project, spoke with residents about the new design features which are meant to slow down traffic.

County Road 42 project to attempt to lower speeds

The crowd all started talking at once at the Dec. 3 open house when Jordan Horejsi, Project Manager for the County Road 42 reconstruction project, told them that the average speed along County Road … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 12/10/25

As Minnesota prepares for a cold, snowy winter, MPCA urges smart salting practices

After two years of abnormally warm winters with (well) below-average snowfall, Minnesota is looking forward to the return of snow and ice this winter. As Minnesotans reacquaint themselves with the … more

12/10/25

CVEC announces winter term 2026 courses

Cannon Valley Elder Collegium (CVEC), a vibrant learning community for people aged 50+ in Minnesota’s Cannon River Valley and beyond, presents fifteen courses for Winter Term 2026. CVEC’s … more

12/10/25

The CPKC Train is set to arrive in Hastings on Dec. 12 at 8:45 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item

Holiday Train to arrive in Hastings Dec 12 at 8:45 p.m.

The Canadian Pacific Kansas City Holiday Train is already en route to Hastings! Residents can expect the train to stop in town this Friday, December 12 around 8:45 p.m. As usual, the free event … more

12/9/25

Residents of manufactured home parks like Three Rivers in Hastings are seeking legislative action to combat rapidly rising lot rate increases, sometimes as much as 10% a year.

Residents of manufactured homes seek legislation for rising lot prices

Manufactured homes represent some of the most affordable housing options on the market, in Hastings and beyond. Hastings has long struggled with providing sufficient affordable housing to residents … more