More local news

Schwieger Glass marks growth with Hastings ribbon cutting

What began as a side business installing residential shower doors has grown into a full-service commercial and residential glass company with more than $1 million in work on the books, and owner Ben …

SEAS students race past Marathon fundraising goal

Students at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School have plenty to celebrate after this year’s SEAS Marathon fundraiser brought in just over $33,000, reaching the school’s goal and unlocking a …

Gobble Gait Registration is Open

Registration is open for the 29th annual Gobble Gait® run/walk to benefit Hastings Family Service (HFS). This beloved Thanksgiving Day tradition draws about 3,000 people each year to Historic …

Tax-forfeited land auction begins Oct. 5

Dakota County will conduct an auction for tax-forfeited parcels of land located across the county. The auction will take place Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Dakota County …

Repair work to result in overnight closure of Prescott lift bridge

The bascule (lift) bridge that carries US 10 over the St. Croix River from Prescott to Point Douglas Park in Denmark Township, Minn., will be closed overnight for up to three nights, so bridge …

Hastings VFW begins new effort to preserve historic veterans cemetery

By Bruce Karnick bruce@hastingsjournal.news A new flag is flying over Soldiers and Sailors Cemetery in Hastings after Hastings VFW Post 1210 replaced a deteriorating flagpole that could no longer be …

Hastings High School celebrates Homecoming with coronation, competition and Raider pride

Hastings High School students packed the gym Friday afternoon for a Homecoming Pep Fest that mixed school spirit, competition, recognition and a little bit of chaos as students wrapped up a week of …

Emotional Rescue Asks, “What Would You Do?”

Your dog goes missing! You come across a stray dog! What would you do? Being in the rescue and sanctuary business, Mama Shannon Tarr of Emotional Rescue would really like all of us to have a workable …

Council clears environmental review hurdle for Pleasant Valley Farms

The proposed Pleasant Valley Farms development took two significant steps forward Monday night, Sept. 21, as the Hastings City Council determined that a more extensive Environmental Impact Statement …

Hastings High School explores move to block scheduling

Hastings High School could eventually move from its traditional seven-period school day to a four-period block schedule as administrators look for ways to expand career pathways, electives, …
Business
The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting at Anytime Fitness in Hastings to celebrate a substantial remodel of the gym at 1355 S. Frontage Road. Owners Cortney and Derek …
Government
Downtown Hastings has enough parking overall, but the spaces people most want to use can become crowded during busy periods and special events, according to a parking study presented to the Hastings …
Crime
A 30-year-old Hastings woman already facing prosecution in an earlier child sexual abuse case has been charged with another felony following a separate investigation by the Hastings Police …
Community

Hastings event brings families, law enforcement and advocates together against fentanyl

Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko addresses those gathered for the fifth annual Hastings Overdose & Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day at Hastings Public House. Leko spoke about law enforcement’s role in enforcement, prevention, education and connecting people with treatment and recovery resources.
The photographs and names displayed inside Hastings Public House carried stories that families wished they never had to tell. They were sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, parents, friends and …

Parents, fans, coaches and students help establish online scoring app for reporting

Raider fans, especially parents, know just how much running is required each week of the sports season. They understand that on a personal level, so, when they recognize just how much running this …
Chris Falteisek at Alvdal during his Nordic pilgrimage across Norway and Sweden.

Sons of Norway Valkyrien Lodge 53 presents ‘Norway 2026: A Concert Through the Eyes of a Photographer and Musician’

WOODVILLE — The Sons of Norway Valkyrien Lodge 53 invites the community to a special evening of music and storytelling featuring local musician and photographer Chris Falteisek. The event, …

Sorting fact from fiction in the debate over Flock cameras in Dakota County

Automated license plate readers have quietly become one of the most powerful investigative tools available to law enforcement, capable of spotting a wanted vehicle in seconds, providing a lead after …

Cream rises to the cop

Ice cream, police officers and plenty of family fun came together in downtown Hastings on Tuesday, Aug. 18, as Crème de la Crème hosted its Cones for Cops community celebration with members of the …
Obituaries
Phyllis Reilly
Phyllis Reilly passed away on September 26, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in River Falls, Wisconsin, on March 2, 1959, to Alice and Orval Biel. Phyllis grew up on a farm in …
Avard 'Andy' Anderson
Avard “Andy” Robert Anderson passed away peacefully September 25, 2026, at the age of 82, surrounded by his family. A lifelong resident of Hastings, Minnesota, Andy was born on December 9, …
Scott Most
**CELEBRATION OF LIFE TIME CORRECTION: 2 p.m.-6 p.m.** Scott Allen Most, age 54, of Hermosa Beach, California, formerly of Hastings, Minnesota, passed away suddenly on August 17, 2026. Scott …
Sally Barrow
Sally Barrow passed away peacefully on September 14, 2026 in her home at Timber Hills, a Presbyterian Home in Inver Grove Heights, MN. She was 94 years old. She was born Dec. 19, 1931, in Saint …
Steven Malm
Steven P. Malm, age 76 of Hastings, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Steve was born on March 7, 1950, in Red Wing, Minnesota, to Raulo and Lois …
Local sports

Raider Nation expands with a new team!

Raiders at the line at the Zimmerman Thunder 300.
Raider Nation expands with a new team! By Bruce Karnick and Ryan Renneke Hastings Middle School (HMS) will have its first-ever National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) competitive archery team! …

UWRF AD earns Nike Executive of the Year by Women Leaders in Sports

RIVER FALLS — University of Wisconsin-River Falls Athletic Director Crystal Lanning received a massive honor over the summer, being named the Nike Executive of the Year by Women Leaders in Sports. …
Hastings had not trailed by two touchdowns at any point this season. Friday night at Two Rivers, the Raiders found themselves there before the first quarter was over. The response was emphatic. …
Hastings girls swim and dive put together one of its strongest dual meet performances of the season Thursday, Oct. 1, using wins throughout the swimming lineup and a complete sweep in diving to …
The Hastings girls tennis team finally completed its regular season Thursday, Oct. 1, finishing a match against Two Rivers that had been interrupted twice by weather. Two Rivers won the Metro East …
Hastings boys soccer bounced back from a conference loss with two straight victories last week, including a three-goal second half against Chanhassen on Saturday. The Raiders opened the week Tuesday, …
Education

Hastings school board filing period opens July 14

Hastings residents interested in serving on the Hastings Public Schools Board of Education will have a two-week window to file for candidacy this summer, with three seats on the ballot in the …

Features

Wentworth Library reopens with community celebration

Wentworth Library in West St. Paul reopened after a year-long renovation Wednesday, May 6 with a celebration showcasing the building’s updated features and new gathering spaces. Dakota County …

Opinion
Columns

Hastings School Board selects School Perceptions for referendum survey

Hastings Public Schools will ask households throughout Independent School District 200 for their views on potentially increasing operating referendum funding, with the School Board selecting School …

School district, city continue talks over Hastings Civic Arena costs

The Hastings School Board and City of Hastings appear headed toward more discussion over who should pay for major improvements at the Hastings Civic Arena — and what the district should pay to use …

Approved Summary of Proceedings Dakota County Board of Commissioners September 1, 2026

Approved Summary of Proceedings Dakota County Board of Commissioners September 1, 2026 The Dakota County Board of Commissioners met on September 1, 2026 and took action with respect to …

Walz highlights launch of Office of Public Service

Governor Tim Walz visited Open Cupboard in Maplewood last week to highlight the launch of the Office of Public Service and announce the office's eight inaugural Service to Success grantees. The new …

Delay Does Not Pay

Delay is not always the best plan but you can’t do everything today. You can delay paying your utility bills a few days but you can’t delay for very long because the utility company will …

Independence Day - A Day To Celebrate July 3rd Should Be The Day!

It is a custom to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th with cookouts, family get togethers, boating and fireworks. The national holiday holds such great significance because of what it represents: …
Letters
Letter to the Editor: The message is clear: ISD 200 needs a change
To the editor: ISD 200's perception survey from 2025 shows that staff confidence in the school board has fallen dramatically. When asked whether “The school board is doing what it takes to make our …
Letter to the Editor: School boards matter!
To the editor: Until recently our school board has gone largely unnoticed because they understood their role and did it well. Our schools were considered very attractive to both students and …
Letter to the Editor: Should nature take its course
To the editor I listened to many candidates before the primary claim that they are "Pro-Life: From conception to natural death". I wonder what the definition for "natural death" is. Nevaeh Crain …
Letter to the Editor: It’s time for a change on the ISD 200 School Board
To the editor: The message from our district’s own perception surveys is hard to ignore: ISD 200 needs new school board leadership. Carrie Tate and Jessica Dressley, our current school board chair …
Letter to the Editor: Extremely Qualified School Board Candidates
To the editor: There are five candidates who have filed to run for Hastings School Board. Three of these candidates stand out as extremely well qualified. Mark Zuzek - has dedicated his career to …
Web Extras
17 therapist-approved tips for dealing with seasonal depression
Talkspace reports on 17 therapist-approved tips to cope with seasonal depression, including therapy, hydration, sunlight, and exercise, aiding in symptom relief.
5 common mistakes homeowners make refinishing hardwood floors
(BPT) - Key takeaways:Hardwood floors are valued for their beauty, warmth and endurance.Refinishing protects the lifespan, appearance and value of hardwood floors.Zack Clavin, Bona's "Floor Doctor," …
Rediscover the lost secrets of history, one mystery at a time
(BPT) - Where is Alexander the Great really buried? What led to the disappearance of the dodo? And how much do we truly know about the Neolithic cultures that shaped the earliest chapters of human …
5 Meaningful Holiday Gifts That Give Back All Year
(BPT) - The holidays are approaching, which means it's time to start thinking about what you'll give your loved ones. This year, go beyond traditional presents and give your friends and family a …
How to stay healthier this year: Schedule your flu shot
(BPT) - It's that time of year again: Temperatures are dropping, kids are heading back to school — and cold and flu season isn't far behind. To help you and your family stay healthier this fall …