Outdoors - Hastings Journal

Journal photographer Bruce Karnick was out taking pictures of both the Fourth of July Parade organized by the Hastings Golf Club and Events and the fireworks presented by Vermillion State Bank.

Hastings was out for the Fourth of July, and they were ready to enjoy the day. Thousands of residents lined 15th Street West and Westview Drive for the 7 p.m. parade hosted by the Hastings Golf Club … more

7/13/23

Visitors can view full-sized canoes and interact with Irish Wolfhounds, Henry Sibley's favorite dog breed.

Dakota County Historical Society to host Fur Trade Weekend at Sibley Historic Site

The Dakota County Historical Society will host Fur Trade Weekend at the Sibley Historic Site in Mendota, Minn., on Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days. The … more

Staff Report | 7/13/23

In 2022, the Hawks worked with the City of Hastings and HYAA to purchase batting cages for the entire community to use. Unfortunately, manufacturing and shipping delays have pushed back the timeline for completion, which hinges on a lot of hope for “soon.”

Hastings Hawks board: for all of Hastings baseball

The Hastings Hawks amateur baseball team is part of the Classic Cannon Valley League (CCVL) which includes smaller towns to the south. They play around 30-40 games per season with roughly half of … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/7/23

Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement for arena project moves forward

Hastings City Administrator Dan Wietecha reviewed the plan for needed upgrades to the refrigeration system and roof at the Hastings Civic Arena. This request approved at the June 26 Hastings City … more

By Nicole Rogers | 7/7/23

Hawks earn two season sweeps with two wins last week

The Rochester Royals and Lake City Serpents fell victim to the Hawks offense last week with Hastings putting up double digit runs in both games. Rochester was last year’s Class B state champion … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/7/23

Winners of the Party Cart Raffle at the St. Croix Valley Golf Scramble.

CNC St. Croix Valley Scramble Fundraiser

Time to set the tee, strike the ball and watch it soar, all for a good cause at the 15 th Annual St. Croix Valley Scramble, Monday, July 17 at the Hastings Golf Club. Check-in and lunch begins at … more

By Nerissa Solovitz | 7/6/23

Nathan Griner, a local acoustic folk/rock performer was a hit at the Oliver’s Grove portion of Make Music Day 2023. Griner has shared his passion for music in Hastings for years and is a long-term performer for Make Music Day.

Make Music Day 2023 another success

Make Music Day is an annual worldwide celebration of music on June 21. The event started in 1982 in France and made its way across the pond to New York City in 2018. Now, cities in over 120 countries … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/29/23

Project manager hired for Lake Rebecca Park plan

The proposed redevelopment of Lake Rebecca Park is one step closer to becoming reality with the approval by the Hastings City Council at its meeting Monday night of a project manager. The … more

6/29/23

Drive Out Hunger is meant to be a fun way to help others as demonstrated by this foursome. From left, Katy Lindberg, Pam Offler, Debbie Grim and Amy Sutton.

Community rallies to Drive Out Hunger

The third annual Drive Out Hunger golf tournament was held at the Hastings Golf Course on Tuesday, June 13, raising $16,713 for Hastings Family Service. Event organizer Kelly Carter, HFS … more

6/22/23

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.

Can pets 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