News - Hastings Journal

Student school board members (from left:) Aidan Suarez Garcia, Victoria Steinke, Briseis Rusnacko, and Jenevieve Behnke, swear the oath of office.

ISD 200 welcomes student school board members

The Sept. 25 ISD 200 school board meeting brought a set of fresh faces as the student board members joined their elected counterparts at the table. The student board members are a new addition to the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 10/2/24

Mya Beck and Wendi Shilts-Johnson discussed their visions for the role of City Councilor for Ward 2.

HCTV and Chamber of Commerce host candidate forum

In the final stretches of a contentious and by all accounts incredibly close presidential election season, the Hastings Candidate Forum showcased what civil, policy-focused politics can look like in … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 10/2/24

The new standard response protocol adopted by the district comes from the I LOVE U GUYS Foundation.

ISD 200 School Board hosts third Community Collaboration Committee meeting

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the District 200 School Board hosted its third Community Collaboration Committee meeting at Hastings High School discussing the newly adopted “I LOVE U GUYS” … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/26/24

The Raider Crown goes to.....

The 2024 Raider Influencer is Kate Ruder. The Raider influencer replaces the traditional Homecoming King and Queen. She was honored at the Homecoming Pep Fest Friday. more

Photo by Bruce Karnick | 9/26/24

BR4R presents about future Hastings black heritage trail

The Sept. 16 Hastings City Council hosted a presentation from the nonprofit Building Remembrance for Reconciliation (BR4R) about what a future Black Heritage trail in Hastings might look like. BR4R … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/26/24

Hastings came out in force for Rivertown Live to watch Slamabama, Little Texas and Diamond Rio. Over 2100 tickets were sold for the event. The proceeds will be used by the Hastings Area Rotary Club to fund their programs like Cycling Without Age, Rivertown Fishing, Student of the Month and more.

Rivertown Live 2024

By Bruce Karnick | 9/18/24

A Little Texas in Hastings

Little Texas kicked a little to a packed audience on the Hastings riverfront. There were three bands, Slamabama on the Rotary Pavilion Stage with Little Texas and Diamond Rio on the main stage. The … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/18/24

Starred generals at the Jam eating contest

LeDuc hosts annual Civil War Weekend

For the weekend of September 7 at the LeDuc Historic Estate, the year was not 2024, but 1864. Union soldiers drilled in the yard, cannons were fired, and ballots were cast for Lincoln and McClellan, … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/12/24

The closure of Highway 55 in October along with the closure of County Road 46 will have County Road 42 very busy from Oct. 3 to 8.

Highway 55 to close for repairs at rail crossing near Spectro Alloy

Emergency repair work will occur on Highway 55 at the rail crossing near Spectro Alloy. The closest cross street to the construction is Doyle Path. The closure will shut down Highway 55 between … more

Staff Report | 9/12/24

ISD 200 Staff Spotlight- Serina Stokke

From a young age, Serina Stokke discovered a deep passion for working with individuals with disabilities, a passion that has only grown stronger over the years. This year marks Ms. Stokke’s … more

Staff Report | 9/12/24

The sign put up by Hastings Fire Department Investigators looking for community input for the Lions Park warming house fire.

HFD looks for community input to Lions Park warming house fire regarding arson

After a fire burned down the Lions Park warming house the morning of Aug. 25, 2024, the Hastings Fire Department began investigating the source of the fire. On Wednesday, Aug. 29, Hastings Fre … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/4/24

Lilah, Leo, and Harper in front of the Wilson Park sign.

Hastings locals take survey of community parks

Parks often serve as a linchpin of a community. They are where children go to play, where families gather for sporting events and generally serve as a space available for whatever the public needs. … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/4/24

Rep. Angie Craig spoke to the need of community-focused solutions to issues of drug abuse.

Devin J. Norring Foundation hosts Fentanyl prevention and awareness event

As of 2022, Aug. 21 marks National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. It is a day remembering those who have been lost to the drug and helping to make sure that people are aware of the dangers … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/4/24

Logo for Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 revealed

On Thursday August 22, Hastings unveiled the logo for the 2026 Hockey Day Minnesota that will take place in Hastings. The event, hosted by the Confluence Hotel, brought together sponsors, members of … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 8/29/24

Firefighters received a call at 3 a.m. Sunday morning about a fire at Lions Park.

Lions Park warming shelter burns

Residents awoke to the sound of sirens early Sunday morning as Hastings firefighters arrived at Lions Park. Around 3:00 a.m. the Hastings fire department received a call for a possible structure fire … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 8/29/24

What goes into a Dakota County election?

Locked away in a windowless room on the lowest levels of the Dakota County Government Center, behind secure doors and a chain link fence, under the constant supervision of security cameras and under … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 8/22/24

The south side of the mural celebrates spring with the bold sunset, spring flowers and a white tail deer. The west side of the mural celebrates fall. As you look at this side of the mural with the raccoon and fall colors you will notice McNamara Stadium at Todd Field off in the distance, a perfect not to the history of Raider sports.

Arts and Culture Commission completes Roadside Park project

The Hastings Arts and Culture Commission has been busy lately with the completion of the ‘Paint by Numbers’ community project at the Tennis/Pickleball Courts at Roadside Park and a … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/22/24

Building Bridges lunch highlights Chamber, ISD partnership

The Hastings Chamber of Commerce and leadership from ISD 200 met with local business owners and representatives on Aug. 13 for the Building Bridges Industry Partner lunch. At the lunch, Chamber of … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 8/22/24

Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 Committee to host logo unveiling

The Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 Committee will host a logo unveiling event on August 22 from 6-9 p.m. at the Confluence, 200 2nd Street West, in downtown Hastings. The event opens to the public at 6:30 … more

8/22/24

The Fahey family was named Dakota County’s Sesquicentennial Farm in 2024. Pictured at the fair are (from left) Dakota County Commissioners Bill Droste, Mary Hamann-Roland and Laurie Halverson; Jack Fahey; Commissioner Liz Workman; Tom, Chad and Kathy Fahey; Commissioners Joe Atkins, Mike Slavik and Mary Liz Holberg; and Wally and Oliver Fahey. Dakota County photo

Farm families honored at Dakota County Fair

The Dakota County Board of Commissioners hit the road Aug. 6 to recognize local farm families, 4-H youth and the county’s 175th anniversary at the Dakota County Fair in Farmington. Commissioner … more

8/14/24