News - Hastings Journal

Vermillion Township woman charged in neglect of horse

A 43-year-old Vermillion Township woman was charged by summons in Dakota County Court last week with felony charges after a horse was seized from her property and had to be euthanized. Kelly Ann Ries … more

Staff Report | 12/3/25

Dakota County to host Budget and Property Tax Open House

Dakota County will host a Budget and Property Tax Open House Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 5–5:45 p.m. at the Dakota County Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings. The open house will be in … more

12/3/25

The removal of snow piles downtown can take several hours and a plethora of dump trucks working in conjunction with a giant snowblower and a plow truck to clear the streets. This process is one of the last to take place once the 105 plus miles of Hastings streets are cleared to be as close to the curb as possible.

Winter is here, what should you know and what can you do to stay prepared?

Each year, the first snowfall throws Minnesota roads into chaos. Long time residents and new drivers alike forget how to drive in snow. Hastings residents forget to move their vehicles off the road … more

By Bruce Karnick | 12/3/25

Raider Bowling club team punches ticket to state tournament

Hastings Varsity Bowling Team beat out Two Rivers and Rochester to advance to the AAA State Tournament on December 7th in Mounds View. The Hastings team is sponsored by Drkulas Lanes in Inver Grove … more

11/28/25

Boys hockey drops season opener to 13th ranked Northfield

The Hastings Raiders boys hockey team opened the new season on the road, skating into Northfield to face a veteran group that returned much of the core from last winter’s Section 1A … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/28/25

Former Hastings city engineer honored

The Minnesota Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA-MN) honored six public works personnel as part of its annual meeting at the Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake November 20-21, 2025. … more

11/27/25

Dakota County is seeking public input on its upcoming substance use resource guide. Use the QR code to answer the six-question survey about gaps in treatment within Dakota County and how you heard about resources, providers, and services.

Dakota County seeks public input on substance use resource guide

A series of public listening sessions was held in cities across Dakota County seeking input for an upcoming substance use resource guide from the Dakota County Opioid Response Action Committee … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/27/25

ISD 200 School Board given clean bill of health, approves preliminary teacher contract

While much of the discussion at the Wednesday, Nov. 19 ISD 200 School Board meeting was dominated by the 2025 School Perception Survey results, the board also discussed other issues ranging from last … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/27/25

Merchants Bank ramps up for annual 10 Days of Giving drive

Merchants Bank in Hastings is partnering again with Hastings Family Service (HFS) to help those in need during the 10 Days of Giving drive, December 1-10. In addition to partnering with local schools … more

11/27/25

The original artwork intended for the inside neck of the Hastings Hockey Day Minnesota jersey lists the full 38+2 tribute alongside the names of Prairie Island veterans, with select portraits honoring their service. The design recognized the 38 Dakota men executed in Mankato in 1862, and the two leaders, Wakanozanzan and Shakopee, who were later executed at Fort Snelling. This powerful visual connects loss, resilience, and military service across generations within the Prairie Island Indian Community. Ultimately, due to space and resolution concerns, the image was not included, but it is important to still share this with the community.

A Jersey with a Story: Hastings Unveils Dakota-Inspired Look for Hockey Day Minnesota

When the Hastings Raiders skate onto the outdoor ice during Hockey Day Minnesota on January 24, 2026, they will bring more than school spirit and sharpened skates. They will carry stories of the land … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/27/25

The City of Hastings and the City of Prescott will be awarded the Arts Hero Award by the Hastings Prescott Arts Council.

Hastings Prescott Arts Council Arts Heroes announce 2025 recipients

Hastings Prescott Arts Council Arts Heroes announce 2025 recipients In advance of the Sunday, Dec. 14 Hastings Prescott Arts Council (HPAC) Gala at The Confluence, HPAC’s Arts Heroes are … more

11/27/25

The Raider Dance team competed at their first meet of the season where they placed second in the Jazz routine behind perennial dance powerhouse Two Rivers.

Raider Dance Team earns second place at first contest of the season

The Raider Dance Team opened its 2025-26 season on a high note, taking second in Varsity Jazz at its first competition of the year. The meet focused solely on jazz routines, and Hastings delivered a … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/27/25

Police Chief Dave Wilske and Deputy Chief Brian Schowalter overviewed the last year for the Hastings Police Department, citing the current Hastings Police Department building as a hurdle to hiring new officers.

Police Workshop highlights ‘little wins’ for HPD

Last week the Hastings City Council’s workshop heard from Police Chief Dave Wilske and Deputy Chief Brian Schowalter about the state of the Hastings Police Department (HPD), a recap of 2024 … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/26/25

Four Hastings players modeled the new jerseys designed by the Prairie Island Indian Community and Hastings Hockey Association. (L to R): Boys head coach Matt Klein, Lukas Niederkorn, Carter Hanson, Prairie Island Tribal Council Treasurer Michael Childs Junior, Allison Werner, Sophie Thorkelson, Girls head coach Jim Joseph.

Treasure Island hosts jersey reveal party for Hockey Day MN 2026

Treasure Island Resort and Casino had the warm hum of a midseason celebration on Thursday, November 20, as the Hockey Day Minnesota (HDM) 2026 Committee and the Prairie Island Indian Community hosted … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/26/25

Residents gathered in city hall last week to hear from the developers of the upcoming 71-acre Walden Development, a 186-lot mainly single-family development located at Highway 316 and Michael Avenue. It is set to break ground next summer.

‘It’s going to happen:’ Walden Development to break ground next year

Residents got a renewed look at the upcoming 186-lot Walden development located at Highway 316 and Michael Avenue last week at the first public development discussion for the revamped design project. … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/26/25

Hastings resident Mark Morris went missing on Friday, November 21 after leaving his home around 2:40 a.m. heading to work in Rosemount. His vehicle was later discovered in downtown Hastings and it is believed he entered the Mississippi River.

Weekend long search for missing man on Mississippi River near Hastings

On Friday, November 21, Hastings Police received a report of a missing person. Agencies from the region responded all weekend aiding in the search efforts that, as of Monday, have yielded no results. … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/26/25

School Perceptions Project Manager Daren Sievers presented the 2025 School Perception Survey which he characterized as a “mixed bag.”

‘Mixed bag’ 2025 School Perception Survey shows discontent with district, school board

Earlier this month ISD 200 School Board members discussed bridging the “disconnect” between the board, parents and district staff, said Director Elaine Mikel-Mulder at the Nov. 5 school … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/26/25

Tri Rivers Chevrolet co-owner Hayes Piker officially cuts the ribbon on their ownership of the Chevy dealership in Hastings surrounded by family, staff, area business members and chamber members.

Tri River Chevrolet hosts ribbon cutting to celebrate new chapter in Hastings

The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce and members of the local business community gathered recently to officially welcome Tri River Chevrolet with a ribbon cutting ceremony and business after hours … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/26/25

This overhead view of a property along Highway 50 shows a line approximately 50 feet from the center of the road, the portion of land that the State of Minnesota Department of Transportation is attempting to purchase from landowners along a roughly seven-mile stretch.

Highway 50 project raises questions in Denmark Township

Minnesota transportation projects do not usually stir up front yard conversations about law, funding, and eminent domain, yet the planned work on Highway 50 between Hampton and Douglas Township has … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/26/25

Hastings Family Service receives grant from Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless

2025, At a time when individuals and households throughout Minnesota are experiencing hardships in numbers never seen before, the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Foundation is working hard … more

11/26/25