Outdoors - Hastings Journal

Dogs and Cats are required to be under the control of their owner at all times when outdoors. It is illegal and unsafe for pets to roam free in Hastings.

Social media randomly proves to be useful now and then, especially for story ideas. This particular idea came from a person upset that there are cats roaming free in their neighborhood. Not contained … more

By Bruce Karnick | 5/25/23

The Police Week open house has been held on Main Street in downtown Hastings for the past few years. It is now making a return to the police department at the corner of Third Street East and Sibley Street.

Hastings police department prepares for National Police Week

The Hastings Police Department (HPD) in conjunction with the Hastings Fire Department and Dakota County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) will hold their annual Police Week open house this year on May … more

By Bruce Karnick | 5/11/23

Crews monitor the area to ensure the fire goes only where they want it to. A drip torch with a mixture of gas and diesel fuel is used to start the fires and they use water to control it.

Industrial Park receives a controlled burn

Controlled burns are carefully planned to help restore specific areas to a more natural state. They help remove invasive species of plants and allow the regrowth needed to strengthen the local … more

By Bruce Karnick | 5/4/23

OUT AND ABOUT

If you have been down by the mighty Mississippi River in Hastings lately, you know he is rambling fast, and Old Man River is at a very high level. The old saying of “inquiring minds want … more

By Brian G. Schommer | 5/4/23

So Far, It’s Been Awesome

A baseball game can provide adventure in so many ways for everyone involved from the first pitch to the final out. Depending on the level of the game, the adventures can multiply in ways that … more

By Brian G. Schommer | 5/4/23

Parks and Rec Commission sends three recommendations to City Council

The Parks and Rec Commission (PRC) held their monthly meeting in the City Council Chambers on April 19th at 6:00 p.m. The agenda was set for three different recommendations for council and an update … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/27/23

The media circus around the Governor is interesting to watch, especially in a small town like Hastings. Some of the stations had been there since six or seven in the morning waiting for the Governor to arrive. This location was chosen because of the Mississippi River and Hastings Bridge back drop.

Governor Walz visits Hastings before flood

Friday, April 14th, Governor Tim Walz paid a visit to the Hastings riverfront to discuss flood preparedness and how the State of Minnesota is at the ready to help communities in need due to rapidly … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/21/23

Boat shrink wrap collection begins April 1

Dakota County is offering boat shrink wrap recycling at no charge through June 30 at Lighthouse Motorsports and Marine, 3316 151st St. W., in Rosemount during regular business hours. The large … more

4/20/23

The 2,000 pound, 20-year-old eagle nest came crashing down around 7:53 a.m. on the morning of April 2nd. The nest contained a chick which was found deceased a few hours after the fall.

Local internet sensation crashes to a heartbreaking end

20 years ago, a pair of American Bald Eagles chose a location for their nest. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) eventually put up their ‘EagleCam’ that gave a 24/7 look … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/7/23

These items were illegally dumped in the ditch just on Hogan Avenue just off of County Road 46. The property owner is now responsible for the illegal dump, they need to pick it up, transport it to the proper place to be taken care of and pay any fees associated with the disposal of the items. Please do not do this.

Spring Cleaning means. . . illegal dumping?

Warmer weather brings about the urge to get out and clean. We hyper focus on cleaning our vehicles, garages, houses, recreational vehicles and more. Why not? It is beautiful outside, and we have been … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/7/23

The heavy, wet snow brought havoc all over town with downed tree branches, power lines, and internet service.

It sure was beautiful, but it needs to go

The award for Worst April Fool’s Joke of 2023 goes too… drum roll please… Mother Nature! Yes, that is right, Mother Nature wins for the roughly eight inches of the wet, … more

By: Bruce Karnick | 4/7/23

A view of the rising river from above looking toward the east

City bracing for flooding

The City of Hastings is bracing for possible flooding of the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers. According to a report to the Hastings City Council from Public Works Director/City Engineer Ryan … more

By John McLoone | 4/6/23

Hastings Resident captures northern lights from downtown Hastings

Brian Slattum captures the phenomenon known as Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, from Downtown Hastings Thursday. The image was edited to bring out the lights in the sky which is why the shoreline … more

Staff Report | 3/31/23

The graphic roughly shows three areas. Area 1 is the current space owned by the City of Hastings and zoned as park space. Area 2 was recently rezoned from park space to Commercial / Industrial but that can be zoned back to park space. Area 3 is currently owned by HEDRA and is not currently available as park space.

Parks Commission holds workshop to brainstorm ideas for 2023 and beyond.

Being a parks commissioner on the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) is an interesting position to hold. Compared to other commissions such as the Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) and the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/23/23

Rooted in Junk set for March 16

Join artists, collectors, junkers, makers, and creators for the second annual “Rooted in Junk” three-day event at Zywiec’s Garden Center located in Cottage Grove from 5-8 p.m. … more

By Nerissa Solovitz | 3/9/23