News - Hastings Journal

Vendor lined the path in Levee Park during the event, which is a combination of the Music in the Parks and market events that runs in Levee Park through September 11.

The lyrics of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing echoed through the Levee Park Pavilion on Thursday July 31 from 80’s tribute band Double Down as residents watched from lawn chairs and … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 8/6/25

Dakota Lodge #7 Masons awarded three $2,000 scholarships to Mackenzie Beissel, (left) Carlie Dressely-Johnson and Nathan Barker during their annual picnic.

Dakota Lodge #7 Masons hand out scholarships

On Thursday, July 31, Dakota Lodge #7 gave out scholarships to three students at their annual picnic. Nathan Barker, Mackenzie Beissel, and Carlie Dressely-Johnson were selected from 10 applicants to … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 8/6/25

Two charged in burglary

Two men were charged with 3rd degree burglary in Dakota County Court Monday. Joshua Anthony Saldana, 42, Hastings, and Brandon Robert Kaase, 33, Prescott, were each charged by summons with felonies … more

Staff Report | 8/6/25

Dakota County discuss SNAP payment error

From October 2023 to September 2024, Dakota County had a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), payment error rate of 10%. One in $10 of SNAP payments in that timeframe being incorrect is … more

8/6/25

Senator Seeberger honored by League of Minnesota Cities, school board association.

The League of Minnesota Cities has recognized 28 state lawmakers, including Sen. Judy Seeberger (DFL-Afton), as 2025 Legislators of Distinction. Chosen legislators are honored for specific actions … more

8/6/25

Xcel Energy retires sirens, turns to cell phone alerts for Nuclear Emergency Warnings

In a major update to how Minnesota communities are alerted during a nuclear emergency, Xcel Energy is replacing its long-standing siren system with alerts sent directly to mobile phones. The new … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/6/25

A conversation with new District 12 Metropolitan Council Member Mark Jenkins

In July, Mark Jenkins was appointed to represent District 12 of the Metropolitan Council, representing communities from Maplewood to Hastings to Randolf Township after former District 12 … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 8/6/25

Ben Teigland delivers a pitch during a previous outing for the Hastings Hawks. In Wednesday’s Section 1A tournament opener, Teigland went 5 1/3 innings against Faribault, allowing three runs on two hits with six walks and three strikeouts.

Hastings Hawks push through first two in Section 1A with fight, firepower, and one frustrating finish

The Hastings Hawks opened the Section 1A tournament with a walk-off win, the kind of win that comes from hanging around, wearing a team down, and finally slipping by with a little chaos and a lot of … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/6/25

Legion Baseball finishes State Tournament with 1-2 record

The bats were booming, the rallies were electric, and through it all, Hastings Legion Post 47 fought like a team with something to prove. Over the course of two days at the Minnesota Legion State … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/6/25

Class of 1995 celebrates 30 years

The Hastings High School Class of 1995 celebrated 30 years this weekend. The evening started with dinner and drinks downtown and culminated in the gathering at The Studio Downtown. Thanks for … more

Photo by Bruce Karnick | 8/6/25

Lonnie William Cory was the driver of the Harley Davidson motorcycle that collided with a Land Rover SUV resulting in life threatening injuries for his passenger, Kimberly Ann Robinson. Robinson was taken to Regions Hospital and Cory fled the scene. He was later arrested at his home in Inver Grove Heights.

Motorcycle passenger ejected after contact with SUV

COTTAGE GROVE, MN – August 3, 2025, according to the Minnesota State Patrol, a two-vehicle accident occurred on Highway 61 around 6:54 p.m. near the northbound exit ramp to 70th Street South. … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/6/25

Brecken Ponath tossed eight of nine innings in a 3-1 Elmwood win over Ellsworth on July 27.

Expos protect home turf from invasion

ELMWOOD — The Elmwood Expos fended off the UFO Days invaders over the weekend winning home games against Plum City and Ellsworth to enter the playoffs with confidence. Elmwood beat the Plum … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/30/25

A boat that was at the Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor to refuel exploded and immediately burst into flames at the dock. The fire grew so quickly that both the dock and other boats were suddenly in danger of being engulfed themselves until a good Samaritan stepped up to help douse the flames with water.

Boat explosion rocks Prescott’s Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor

PRESCOTT, Wis. — A quiet afternoon on the water turned chaotic Saturday when a boat exploded at the fuel dock at Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor, sending all eleven people on board into the Mississippi … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/30/25

Shaded and elevated, the Michelob Ultra Zone VIP decks provide upgraded seating with private amenities and clear sightlines of the stage.

From Creed to Carrie: Dockendorf’s vision shapes Treasure Island Amphitheater shows

Just a short drive from downtown Hastings, nestled against the scenic backdrop of the Mississippi River, Treasure Island Resort and Casino's outdoor amphitheater has quietly become one of Minnesota's … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/30/25

Hastings man charged with fleeing police

A Hastings man was charged by summons for fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle in Dakota County Court on Monday. Derek Thomas Lange, 36, could be sentencing to up to three years in jail and … more

Staff Report | 7/30/25

Interns have been working at cataloging artifacts related to the LeDuc Historic Estate.

Hastings Area Historical Society to Meet August 12

Please join the Hastings Area Historical Society for its next meeting and program on Tuesday, August 12, at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held at the LeDuc Historic Estate, 1609 Vermillion Street, … more

7/30/25

A salute to veterans at this year’s Dakota County Fair Government Building features veteran-related services and activities

Visitors to the 2025 Dakota County Fair can learn about county services that support local veterans and their families. Dakota County Veterans Services will be featured in the Government … more

7/30/25

Jackson Schaffer returned to form as the designated hitter against Miesville. Schaffer went 3-for-3 with one run scored.

Hawks fall in regular season finale, drop to eighth seed

The weekend of games did not go as the Hastings Hawks had hoped it would and through a series of games going in ways out of their control and the 14-2 loss in Miesville, Hastings finds themselves … more

By Bruce Karnick bruce@hastingsjournal.news | 7/30/25

Derrick Pfeffer hit two home runs to help propel the Hastings Hurricanes over the Lonsdale Jokers on Monday night.

Hastings Hurricanes Finish Regular Season 17-1 with Double Header Wins at Lonsdale

After Mother Nature played some head games with the Hastings Hurricanes and Lonsdale Jokers the last few weeks, trying to play one game, let alone two, the two South Division Rivals finally clashed … more

By Peter Gasparino | 7/30/25

The HYAA Minors League Champions – The Vermillion Orange Bombers! Front Row: Max Lawler, Wessley Kummer, Jack Kuhns, Deacon Kummer, Landon Steinke, Carson Werner, Henry Werner. Middle Row: Franklin Mann, Charlie LaCoursiere, Frankie Meyers, Declan Starkson, Henry Kuhns, Louis Loesch. Back Row: Coach Joe Lawler, Coach David Steinke, Coach Andrew Werner.

Youth sports successes!

We love bragging about our youth teams and their successes! Please email the team photo with details as laid out below to bruce@hastingsjournal.news by Sunday evening to be in that weeks edition of … more

7/30/25