15 Years Ago HASTINGS STAR-GAZETTE June 29, 2006 A hero from Hastings Hastings grad Michael Rasch earns Air Medal for rescue efforts after Katrina (photo from Lt. Michael Rasch of chemical fire) Story by Michael Moore, Star-Gazette managing editor Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on America’s Gulf Coast. The storm struck Aug. 29, flooding neighborhoods, destroying homes and leaving more than 1,000 people dead.

In the wake of the catastrophe, government commissions and agencies have begun identifying what went wrong in the day and weeks after Katrina struck, as well as what went right. Michael Rasch, a lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard, is an example of the latter. Rasch, a 1990 graduate of Hastings High School, received the Air Medal in a Coast Guard ceremony May 5 with Alabama Congressman Jo Bonner. The Air Medal, established in 1942, goes to men and women who have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight, and Rasch drew the honor for his actions responding to Katrina.

(story continues at Hastings Pioneer Room, City Hall).

30 Years Ago HASTINGS STAR-GAZETTE June 27, 1991 Headlines at City Hall Pioneer Room: Rivertown Days parade set for Saturday July 20.

A thousand gallon a day leak! The Hastings outdoor swimming pool is leaking a thousand gallons of water a day and city officials are looking at short and long term solutions. See Page 5A.

Lake Rebecca opened 10 years ago this summer. Swimming rules geared towards safety of swimmer. See Page 12B.

Highway 55 project on schedule.

Airport Site Task Force met in Hastings Tuesday to review its findings.

Summerfolk. Food, music, and learning at Summerfolk ’91…happening this Sunday! See Page 9B.

Planning Commission supports proposed shopping center’s request. See below Panel Votes 4 – 3 to support Westland rezoning By Steve Eide, staff writer A proposed shopping center on Highway 55, near the Dakota County Government Center, is in the earliest planning stages. It may or may not materialize. But it’s already controversial as the last meeting of the Hastings Planning Commission dealing with the issue on Monday night indicated.

Passionate is not too strong a word to described how people… about Westland, the name of the proposed shopping center. The business before the commission was the very first governmental step in a series of steps that must be taken before Westland becomes brick and concrete. The developer, Oak Grove Development, asked that the commission recommend that the proposed project’s land be changed from residential zoning to commercial zoning, an action that requires amending the city’s comprehensive plan.

At the debate’s end, after about an hour and a half, the request to amend the city’s comprehensive plan was recommended on a 4 – 3 vote (story continues on).

45 Years Ago THE HASTINGS GAZETTE July 1, 1976

3 Films at Library To Be Shown at 1:30 And 2:30 on Tuesday The following films will be shown at the Dakota County Library, 9th and Vermillion Sts., Hastings, on Tuesday, July 6, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Mole and Hedgehod: An animated children’s tale of a mole and mouse rescuing their friend, the hedgehog, trapped in a cage.

Stampede Fever: the greatest rodeo in the world, at Calgary, is captured here with all the thrills and excitement of that event.

Great Toy Robbery: a cartoon with Santa Claus, robbers, and a cowboy.

Mrs. Ahlgren, Librarian 105 Years Ago CANNON FALLS BEACON Friday, July 6, 1906 KULKER There is a Reaper whose name is Death, And with his sickle keen, He reaps the bearded grain at a breath, And the flowers that grow between.

(obit) Adelheit Wickey was born in Bremmen, Germany, Jan. 27, 1846, and when seven years of age, came with her parents to America, and located at Dubuque, Iowa, where she resided until 1857 when Cannon Falls became her home. In May 1866 she was married to Henry Kulker, who after 40 years of close companionship is left to finish life’s journey alone. Five children, two of which died in infancy, blessed their union… The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Church of the Redeemer. Rev. Crump conducted the service… Mrs. Kulker was laid to rest in the Cannon Falls Cemetery.