News - Hastings Journal

Director of Public Works Ryan Stempski outlined how the city would go about transferring its hydrokinetic power plant at the May 5 City Council Workshop.

Council moves to turn over Hastings Hydroelectric plant to Army Corps of Engineers

Transferring ownership of a hydrokinetic power station is not like selling a house. In fact, it’s not like selling anything because a transfer of a similar power station hasn’t happened … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 5/14/25

HHS hosts 2nd annual Native Graduate Honoring Ceremony

For the second year, Hastings High School celebrated the graduation of its Native students with an honoring ceremony held in the high school commons on Tuesday, May 6. “This ceremony is the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 5/14/25

Royalton Superintendent Dr. Kristine Wehrkamp Herman and Fond Du Lac Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Fleig were selected as finalists for the ISD 200 Superintendent position

ISD 200 School Board moves forward with Wherkemp Herman and Fleig

The schoolboard unanimously selected Royalton Superintendent Dr. Kristine Wehrkamp Herman and Fond Du Lac Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Fleig as finalists for ISD 200 Superintendent. … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 5/9/25

Mayor Mary Fasbender spoke at the Hastings Prayer breakfast Thursday. The event was held at Starkson Funeral home and sponsored by the funeral home and the Regan family.

Hastings fathers in unity and hope at 2025 National Day of Prayer Breakfast

On the morning of Thursday, May 1, more than 200 community members gathered at the Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings for a cherished annual tradition: the National Day of Prayer … more

Staff Report | 5/9/25

215 Ramsey St is the proposed location for a special use cannabis license. It is next door to the future Hastings Prescott Arts Council Creative Space at 213 Ramsey St. that opens May 17.

Planning Commission holds public hearings for cannabis licenses

The Hastings Planning Commission held public hearings for two applications for special use licenses for future cannabis dispensaries in Hastings. Those applications were for a site at 2103 Vermillion … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 5/8/25

Teachers from Hastings and beyond spoke to Sen. Judy Seeberger at the educator listening session on Wednesday, April 24.

‘We destroy ourselves:’ Teachers discuss hurdles to education in listening session with Sen. Seeberger

Teachers from around the area came to speak with Sen. Judy Seeberger (D-Afton) on Wednesday, April 24 about the difficulties of being a teacher in 2025. In a year marked by budget cuts from a $1.5 … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 4/30/25

Jonah Conway played in the crowded Busted Nut during Saturday’s Hootenanny in downtown Hastings.

The 16th annual Hootenanny raises $21,000

From Country Road to Don’t Stop Believing to Learn to Fly, Second Street echoed with music for the 16th annual Hootenanny. The event provides live music across various bars, breweries and … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 4/30/25

Current designs for the Gateway Project showcase a mixed-use building with retail at street level and residential units above.

City Council Planning Committee discusses city project overview

On Monday, April 14, the Hastings City Council Planning Committee met to discuss a rundown of ongoing city projects ranging from the zoning ordinance update, the Gateway Project, cannabis special use … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 4/24/25

Spiral Brewery owners (from left) Nick Fox, Jen Fox, and Amy Fox toast to the seven-year anniversary of Spiral Brewery.

Spiral Brewery celebrates 7 years

Spiral Brewery celebrates 7 years By Graham P. Johnson When staff, community members and residents raised their glasses to celebrate Spiral Brewery’s seven-year anniversary on Tuesday, … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 4/24/25

Meet new ISD 200 School Board member Elaine Mikel-Mulder

The ISD 200 School Board elected Elaine Mikel-Mulder as the newest school board member. She is currently expected to be sworn into the school board in May. Mikel-Mulder was selected to fill the empty … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 4/24/25

Attendees sang “This Little Light of Mine” and other hymns at the Hops and Hymns event.

10 Years of music and art: Hastings Arts Center celebrates 10 years

The Hastings Arts Center celebrated its 10-year anniversary with events ranging from open mic nights to concerts to masses in the old Guardian Angels Church. Founded in 2014 to better house the piano … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 4/16/25

Superintendent Dr. Tammy Champa addresses the April 8 Community Collaboration Committee meeting in order to discuss changes to the district’s draft of the strategic plan.

Community Collaboration Committee discusses district’s strategic plan

On Tuesday, April 8, the ISD 200 School Board hosted a Community Collaboration Committee meeting to discuss the latest draft of the district’s strategic plan. Built from data collected in the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 4/16/25

The Side-by-Side Ride began in Vermillion with this unit leading the way. The first stop was Miesville Ravine Park and then the group split off between Welch to the Cannon River Inn and Miesville to Kings Bar before reuniting at Dans Bar to then finish back in Vermillion at the Stein Haus.

Hastings area residents Rally side-by-side riders to raise funds for Fire Department

The sound of engines revving wasn’t just for show last weekend in Hastings. Over 100 side-by-side, off-road vehicles built for both recreation and utility, took to the trails and roads just … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/9/25

VFW donates to local groups

Receiving donations from the Hastings VFW are Hastings Alumni, Hastings High School Trap Team, and Hastings Senior Health and Living. Front Row L-R: Mark Gelhar, Doug Franzen, Valerie Youngren, Keela … more

Photo by David Youngren | 4/9/25

The SKB Rosemount Landfill contracts with Gem-Ash Processing to “mine” ash received from the Hennepin County Energy Recovery (HERC) for various metals to be sold and recycled.

Dakota County commissioners tour Rosemount landfill

Dakota County commissioners tour Rosemount landfill By Graham P. Johnson Designing a landfill is “basically building a bathtub,” said Government Affairs Manager at SKB Environmental … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 4/9/25

Hastings Superintendent Dr. Tammy Champa interviewing as a semifinalist for the superintendent role at the Owatonna School District on March 14.

Superintendent Champa selected for Owatonna

In a special meeting of the Owatonna School Board the morning of March 26, merely hours after Superintendent Dr. Tammy Champa interviewed as a finalist, the Owatonna board unanimously selected Champa … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 4/1/25

Former school board member Lisa Hedin read a letter signed by 104 ISD 200 teachers asking the school board to “trust educators,” and not sunset Policy 100: Equity and Diversity.

ISD 200 sunsets DEI policy despite staff opposition

Teachers hissed, booed and shouted as the ISD 200 School Board voted 3-2 to sunset Policy 100 Equity and Diversity and replace it with the district’s new strategic plan at the Wednesday, March … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 4/1/25

Rosemount’s ladder truck provided a key aerial attack of the fire that completely destroyed the Welch Township home.

Fast-spreading fire damages Welch Township home, threatens neighborhood

A rapidly spreading grass fire on Saturday afternoon escalated into a significant blaze, destroying a home and garage and threatening multiple residences in Welch Township. Around 2:42 p.m., the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/27/25

Super Breakfast had Super Turnout

The Hastings Rivertown Lions were pleased, despite the blizzard conditions, Hastings came out to support the Hastings Fire Department and First Responders for the 4th Annual Super Breakfast on Feb. … more

3/27/25

Hastings Fire Chief John Townsend walked the city council through various options for updates to the Hastings fire station from renovations to a new building.

City Council workshop considers new fire station

Hastings Fire Chief John Townsend presented before the city council workshop on Monday, March 16 on the future of the Hastings fire station including testing for new sites. Chief Townsend presented a … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 3/26/25