News - Hastings Journal

Hastings Officers joined those biking from Rochester in the 2025 Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run Members of the Hastings Sharks joined Hastings Police for the final stretch of the run at Pinecrest. Hastings Police and the Hastings Sharks pose at Roadside Park, the final destination for the run totaling just under 100 miles.

Hastings Police complete Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run

The distance between Hastings and Rochester is some 98 miles, a distance biked by various law enforcement and city officials from Olmstead County Sheriff’s office, the City of Rochester, and … more

6/25/25

Carter Lundstrom is poised to be the ace on the Raiders roster in 2026. Lundstrom has two varsity seasons under his belt and a calm, steady presence that has him maturing into a natural leader.

Spring Recap: Baseball

In a season that mixed promise with perseverance, the 2025 Hastings Raiders Boys Baseball team wrapped up a roller-coaster year with grit at every turn, capped by a tough but spirited run into the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/25/25

The 4x200 team of Cole Zeien, Gunner Hanstad, Sebatian Strauss and Lane Hoffman just missed the MSHSL state record of 1:25.58 with their 1:25.80 first place finish for 2025. (left) Zeien led the relay, handing it to Hanstad who then passed the baton to Strauss. Strauss made the last baton pass to Hoffman (right) who finished the race strong for the top of the podium.

Hastings Boys Track makes history with first State Title

The 2025 Hastings Raiders boys track and field team will be remembered as the group that finally broke through. With a gutsy, electric performance at the MSHSL Class AAA State Championships, the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/18/25

Smead Manufacturing acquired by TOPS

TOPS Products LLC and Smead Manufacturing announced that TOPS has acquired Smead, including its full product portfolio. This strategic acquisition strengthens TOPS’ position as a North American … more

6/18/25

Dakota County Historical Society President Steve Cook, alongside relatives and descendants of Fred Lawshe cut the ribbon on the newest permanent exhibit at the Lawshe Memorial Museum: The Curiosity Collection.

Lawshe Memorial Museum unveils The Curiosity Collection

The Lawshe Memorial Museum in South St. Paul opened its newest permanent exhibit The Curiosity Collection, an exhibit for children on the history of Dakota County on Saturday, June 14. From … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/17/25

HEDRA approves agreement to market industrial park site

Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority (HEDRA) moved forward to market the industrial park site, authorized an enviormental assessment on Block 28 and discussed the 2026 HEDRA … more

6/17/25

Local businesses, nonprofits, and government officials came out alongside a craft fair at Levee Park during Hastings fifth annual Pride Festival.

Hastings celebrates fifth annual pride festival

Hastings celebrated its fifth annual pride festival on Saturday, June 14 at Levee Park. The event was organized by the nonprofit Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Alliance (IDEA) and featured … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/17/25

Legislative Update

On June 9, Governor Walz called state lawmakers into a special session in order to complete the outstanding budget work that remained after the regular legislative session concluded in mid-May. … more

By Tom Dippel | 6/17/25

Car stolen from hospital leads to high-speed chase, arrest

A woman who reportedly stole a vehicle from outside United Hospital – Hastings Regina Campus on June 11 was arrested when the car crashed in Goodhue County after leading law enforcement on a … more

Staff Report | 6/17/25

Senior Carlee Kordosky clears the final hurdle in the 100-meter finals, finishing 4th overall with a season-best time of 14.86 seconds.

Hastings Girls deliver standout performances at Class AAA State Track Meet

The Hastings High School girls track and field team closed out their season with a series of strong performances at the Class AAA State Meet, showcasing grit, speed, and promising potential for the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/17/25

The shots from the fairway were a bit more difficult on day one than his short game, so head coach Matt Klein made sure to be there to support him pre-shot every step of the way. Despite the rainy weather, Bauer’s approach shot, while very good on day one, improved significantly on day two.

Bauer represents Hastings with determination and poise at Class AAA State Golf Meet

David Bauer didn’t have a teammate on the course at the MSHSL Class AAA State Golf Meet, but he didn’t walk it alone. The Hastings sophomore, the Raiders’ lone state qualifier this … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/17/25

First look at 2026 city budget shows 8.1% tax increase

The first look at the 2026 Hastings city budget showcased various budgetary pressures on the city from PFAS to capital improvements and overdue maintenance to debt service on the civic arena. On … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/11/25

Congratulations to the Hastings High School Class of 2025!

Hastings Raiders Class of 2025 celebrate with pride and promise

Todd Field filled with energy and emotion on the evening of June 7, 2025, as nearly 300 members of the Hastings Raiders Class of 2025 took their final steps as high school students. Family, friends, … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/11/25

In the summer of 2023, Mitch Carmody (R) befriended William “Ike” Eickholt by simply stopping to talk to him on Eickholt’s morning walks. Carmody, a local author, wanted to get to know Eickholt because he seemed like an interesting person. Carmody had hoped to write a book about Eickholt after getting to know him, but that never came to fruition with Eickholt’s death. Now, Carmody hopes that celebrating the diversity of Ike will help bring his killers to justice and help prevent tragedies to other people who are different.

Diversity and Vulnerability Day scheduled for June 15 to honor the life of William ‘Ike’ Eickholt

Previously reported on February 2, 2025, the body that was found along Ravenna Trail just past the bridge over the Vermillion River near the Hastings Dog Park. Identified as William “Ike” … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/11/25

Attendees of the second annual fly-in will have the opportunity to see local aviation up close and personal.

Stanton Airfield to host second annual Fly in June 21

Just 23 miles south of Hastings lies Stanton Airfield, a WWII-era airfield that was initially built to train Carleton College students in the skills of aviation. On Saturday, June 21, the airfield … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/11/25

Hastings resident Talaya Dendy was selected as a Bush Fellow for her work in wholistic care and emotional resilience for cancer patients.

Hastings woman awarded Bush Fellowship

Hastings resident Talaya Dendy is one of 24 winners of the Bush Foundation Bush Fellowship for her work in providing wholistic care to cancer patients. The Bush Fellowship is awarded to leaders … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/11/25

Surprise state transportation proposal raids Dakota County sales tax dollars

Dakota County and other metro counties would lose an estimated $93 million in sales tax revenue intended for local transportation projects in a surprise state budget proposal. Those tax dollars … more

6/11/25

Driver arrested after high-speed chase

A St. Cloud man driving without a license led Hastings Police Department officers and other law enforcement agencies on a high speed chase on Thursday, June 5. Kane Logan Jackson-Minser, 24, was … more

Staff Report | 6/11/25

Discounted mattress pickup offered for Dakota County residents

Dakota County residents can receive a special curbside mattress pickup price from Memorial Day through Oct. 1 to recycle or reuse any type of unwanted mattress or box spring. The fee is $60 for the … more

6/6/25

Hastings School Board approves 2025-26 Budget amid ongoing enrollment decline

With the sobering reality of a continuing decline in student enrollment, the Hastings School Board unanimously approved the district’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget during its May 21 meeting. … more

By John McLoone | 6/5/25