Join us for ice cream, grab a free paper and try to win a grill!

Staff report

The publication of this week’s edition of the Hastings Journal marks an important milestone.

One year ago, we introduced the Hastings community to The Journal, and it quickly became Minnesota’s fastest-growing newspaper.

“We are officially marking edition 52,” said Publisher John McLoone. “We were excited to start our new community newspaper here one year ago. In the onset of the pandemic, the former Hastings Star-Gazette folded, and we believed Hastings deserved a local newspaper.”

To mark the occasion, several big events are planned. In the first weeks of publication, The Journal was free on newsstands to help the community get a feel for the paper.

“We’ll be doing that again. This entire month, readers can pick up their copy of The Journal free on newsstands in Hastings. We want to show the community how far we’ve come,” said McLoone. “We’ve got a great local product, and we’re reasonably priced.”

In addition to that, stop out at Coborn’s, 225

THE 33rd St. West on Saturday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Journal staff will be on hand outside the store, giving away ice cream treats. We’ll have other giveaways as well.”

In addition, The Journal is partnering with local businesses on our Great Grill Giveaway. Starting next week, customers visiting participating Hastings businesses can register to win a Traeger smoker from Hastings Hometown Ace Hardware. Entry forms will be in the The Journal and at participating businesses, and the winner will be drawn on Facebook Live on June 2.

“We appreciate the opportunity the Hastings community has given us in the past year. We’re welcomed into thousands of homes each week, and we understand our responsibility that goes along with publishing a great local newspaper. We’ve worked hard to help here in Hastings, and we’re looking forward to the next year and decade ahead.”

“We’d also love your feedback,” said McLoone. “We have amassed countless notes of support from subscribers in the last year. We also have some from readers telling us what we need to do better. We take those suggestions to heart and will continue to make The Journal better.”

To subscribe or talk to staff, call 651-8293234. E-mail John McLoone at [email protected] news. For advertising or community coverage information, contact Bruce Karnick at [email protected]

“It’s hard to believe a year has gone by already,” said McLoone. “We’re proud to have the opportunity to publish your hometown newspaper, and we’re thankful for the support of the Hastings community.”