News - Hastings Journal

Residents packed the Hastings City Council Chambers last week to hear from city and MnDOT officials about the upcoming Highway 61 project. Residents raised concerns and asked questions about the project ranging from roundabouts to access to the Highway 61 Subway.

MnDOT presents Hwy. 61 plan to packed house

It was standing room only at the Highway 61 public meeting last week as Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) officials explained the details of the upcoming Highway 61 reconstruction set to … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/26/25

A technical rendering showcases the complete Hastings Hockey Day Minnesota uniform, including the Dakota-inspired jersey and matching breezers. The design highlights the mato wakan, or bear spirit silhouette, the Dakota word for the area of Hastings, Owo’Bopte, and traditional Dakota color patterns tied to the four directions. The uniform also features a map of Minnesota labeled in Dakota and shoulder patches representing the Prairie Island Indian Community, connecting hockey tradition with local Dakota heritage.

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 | 11/20/25

The 28th Annual Gobble Gait is set for 8:30 a.m. Thursday Nov. 28.

28th Gobble Gait set for Thanksgiving Nov. 27

The 28th Annual Gobble Gait is set for 8:30 a.m. Thursday Nov. 27. This year’s race will feature singer Lorilei Harman singing the national anthem with National Guard members waving the flag … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/19/25

YOUR 2025 GIRLS STATE DIVING CHAMPION… CHLOES AARNESS! Aarness dominated the state diving competition finishing with a total score of 465.40, 18.6 points ahead of second place.

Your 2025 girls state diving champion – Chloe Aarness!

The Hastings Raiders number one diver, junior Chloe Aarness, led the MSHSL State Diving Competition from start to finish to bring the State Diving Championship home to Hastings. more

Photo by Bruce Karnick | 11/19/25

City Council certifies outstanding utility balances, makes way for new church

The Monday, Nov. 17 Hastings City Council meeting had council members discussing how best to certify outstanding utility balances at the end of the year and clearing the way for a new church in the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/19/25

Hastings Family Service receives historic match for Give to the Max Day

Thanks to the generosity of three local donors/ volunteers, Hastings Family Service has $35,000 in matching funds available for Give to the Max Day, held Thursday, November 20th. This is the largest … more

11/19/25

The new mural for the Hastings Civic Arena was being installed Monday and Tuesday this week. This shot is from the first day of work and it looked great, what a perfect way to welcome visitors to the Hastings Civic Arena.

New mural to celebrate Hastings hockey history

A new mural celebrating Hastings hockey history is going up this week on the southwest wall of the Hastings Civic Arena. Artist Lili Lennox was commissioned by the Hastings Arts and Culture … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/19/25

A line forms before Steve Fox’s front porch as customers pick up orders of almond tarts and chocolate biscotti.

Emily’s Pop-up Bakery brings nostalgia, old favorites back

They form a line that sometimes stretches to the street. They come all the way from Prescott and from Red Wing as they ask, prod and beg for long johns and almond twists. Some come from just blocks … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/19/25

Two Hastings groups highlighted as Treasure Island’s 2026 charity program doubles all guest donations

A steady stream of generosity is about to get a major boost next year, as the Prairie Island Indian Community and Treasure Island Resort & Casino prepare to match every guest donation made … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/19/25

Braeden Lohmann started with a simple idea for his confirmation service project, collecting a hundred blankets for Gillette Children’s Hospital. That quickly gained traction and by the time all was said and done, he delivered 332 blankets helping offset a shortage at the hospital.

A simple idea of helping turns into Braeden’s Blanket Drive

Thirteen-year-old Braeden Lohmann did not expect his front room to turn into a mountain of blankets, but that is exactly what happened after a simple idea for confirmation hours grew into a community … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/19/25

Spencer Johnson, President of the Hastings Area Historical Society and former Hastings teacher, spoke to the causes of the Civil War and Hastings’ involvement at last week’s Lunch and Learn at The Confluence Hotel.

Hastings and the Civil War

The sleepy river town of Hastings was far from the front lines of North versus South and the battles of Gettysburg and Antietam. That distance, however, is not indicative of Hastings residents’ … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/19/25

The inaugural Rockin’ The Island coming to Treasure Island Resort & Casino

WELCH, Minn. (Nov. 12, 2025) – Get ready to turn up the volume at the inaugural Rockin’ The Island, a brand-new two-day rock festival taking place Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, … more

11/19/25

The new Strib Varsity website that replaced the old hub format has a better look to it, but the data from each game is simply not available as the official statistical distribution media for many varsity level high school sports. That data is crucial for telling the stories of our amazing student athletes and was used not only in print, but also by broadcasters around the state to enhance the live game broadcasts.

Major website data change poses challenges for 2025-26 sports writing seasons

For those that follow the Raiders and varsity high school sports more actively by looking for information online, you are likely familiar with the changes this year to what used to be the Star … more

Editorial By Bruce Karnick | 11/19/25

Photo Cutlines Excitement is being built around the Hockey Day Minnesota jersey reveal happening Nov. 20 from 6-8 p.m. at the Treasure Island Resort and Casino Island Event Center. These are just some of the items being stitched into the team’s jerseys. Check our website after 10:00 p.m. for an exclusive story with all the details about the jersey from the reveal party and the folks that designed the jerseys!

Hockey Day MN 2026 jersey unveiling scheduled for Nov. 20 at Treasure Island

Treasure Island Resort and Casino will be buzzing with a Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 event on November 20 when the community gathers for a free Jersey Reveal Celebration that promises a lively start to … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/19/25

Leaders and partners gather for the ribbon cutting at the new United Heroes League outdoor rink during the Veterans Day Jamboree. From left, Wes Jivovec of APX, Shane Hudella of United Heroes League, Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender, Ann Behrendt of Doran Companies, Mark Brandenhoff of Pella, Meghan Hodgden of Twin Cities Orthopedics, and Pat Regan of Minnesota Coaches take part in the ceremony to officially open the facility.

Veterans Day Jamboree a success despite the warm weather

The crowd gathered under a bright morning sky, bundled against a late fall chill, but warmed by pride in a project that has taken years of hope, planning, and stubborn Minnesota grit. The United … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/19/25

Carbone's Pizzeria is suing the city of Hastings alleging the business was “not afforded eminent domain proceedings or just compensation,” when they were forced to move from 1290 North Frontage Road, the site of the future water treatment plant, according to the complaint.

Inside the Carbone’s lawsuit

On Nov. 3, the Hastings City Council went into closed session regarding the lawsuit brought forth by Pizza On 50th & France, Inc. dba Carbone’s Pizza against the city alleging that the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/19/25

The nearly completed renovations of Hastings City Hall saw the scaffolding that has surrounded the former Dakota County Courthouse for most of the project come down last week.

City Hall renovations near completion

Last week, the scaffolding that has braced Hastings City Hall for the past two years came down as the project to restore masonry, replace roofing, and overhaul the building’s HVAC system … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/19/25

Dakota County hosts Holiday Card Workshop Nov. 25

Dakota County residents can send holiday greetings to local veterans and active-duty troops during a Holiday Card Workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 25 from 3–6 p.m. at Robert Trail Library in … more

11/18/25

The House Capital Investment Committee visited Hastings to hear the city’s pitch for receiving $39.1 million in state bonding dollars to cover the remaining two water treatment plants in the city.

Hastings makes case for state bonding funds to House Capital Investment Committee

For the second week, Hastings city officials made their case to state legislators on why the city needs state bonding dollars to fund future PFAS water treatment plants. The House Capital Investment … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/12/25

Members of South Metro law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies pose with a check for $18,552.66, raised through this year’s Pink Patch Project campaign to support the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer.

Pink Patch Project raises 18k for Cancer Research

In a bright display of solidarity and community spirit, local law enforcement and fire agencies in Dakota County rallied this October for the annual Pink Patch Project. The effort led by the Dakota … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/12/25