MAY

Afton man killed in boat crash on St. Croix River

An Afton man was killed Wednesday in a boat crash on the St. Croix River. According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, David Joseph Riley, 40, was killed and two others were injured in the crash.

June 06, 2013

A big night for big speeches: Four HHS seniors chosen as graduation speakers look forward to taking the stage

While their classmates have got an early start on summer, the four Hastings High School graduation speakers have been hard at work this week refining their speeches and practicing both indoors and outdoors.

By Chad Richardson , June 06, 2013

City’s building official makes the most of winter: Tom Bakken aims to ski 58 times this season

Hastings’ building official, Tom Bakken, looks forward to winter every year. An avid skier, he spends much of his free time on the slopes when they’re open. This year, he set himself a goal: ski 58 times – once for every year he’s been alive.

By Katrina Styx , May 02, 2013

Rivertown Lions citywide garage sales are May 3, 4

The Rivertown Lions 21st annual citywide garage sales will be held Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4. More than 80 garage sales are scheduled. Look for the bright pink signs. Items for sale includes clothing, furniture, tools, books, knick knacks, children’s items, collectibles and hunting and fishing equipment. The maps/listings of the sales will be published in the May 2 issue of the Star Gazette.

April 26, 2013

HHS spring musical is ‘Once Upon a Mattress’

Next weekend, Hastings High School students will put on a show that’s very different from ones they’ve done in the past. This year’s spring musical is “Once Upon a Mattress.” More than 35 students are involved in the cast, technical crew and orchestra.

By Katrina Styx , April 26, 2013

3M grant to HFS recognizes volunteers

The 3M Foundation has donated $2,250 to Hastings Family Service in recognition of nine outstanding HFS volunteers who combined for 1,577 hours of volunteer service to HFS in 2012.

April 26, 2013

Celebrating 100 years - Hastings creamery started downtown, making butter

A lot can change in 100 years. The Hastings Cooperative Creamery Association, which last week celebrated its 100th anniversary, has seen several changes of its own, but one thing has remained at its core. “We seek to benefit our farmers,” said Dave Zwart, the plant manager. The co-op is a milk processing and bottling operation that is owned by the farmers who send their milk there. Currently, there are 105 owners, or patrons, as they’re called. Between them, there are about 8,000 cows. The bottling plant can see up to five milk trucks a day, dropping off about 50,000 pounds of milk each, and the plant does about $40 million in sales per year.

By Katrina Styx , April 26, 2013

Hastings schools delayed two hours today, April 23

All Hastings public schools are delayed two hours today, April 23, due to the snowstorm that hit the area Monday night and Tuesday morning.

By Chad Richardson , April 23, 2013

Guest viewpoint: Sexual violence requires community attention

As the father of three girls and a police officer who has responded to and investigated many sexual assault cases over the years, I am concerned. If you follow the headlines, you know that sexual violence perpetrated against women and children is an all too common occurrence. This reality can be overwhelming, but it’s important to understand that sexual violence can be prevented if we all play our part.

By Paul Schnell , April 18, 2013

Helen Gergen celebrates her milestone 100th birthday

A century well lived … and still going strong. Helen Gergen was born April 10, 1913, to Paul and Emma Endres. She grew up on a farm in rural Hampton with her parents and siblings. This week, she turned 100 years old.

By Jane Lightbourn , April 18, 2013

All cheered out: Budget cuts mean no more cheerleading at HHS

When budgets get squeezed, it’s inevitable that programs are lost. That’s exactly the case in the Hastings school district this year. Bundled in with a number of staff reductions across the district are the elimination of two high school extracurricular programs: cheerleading and the math team. The cuts are a result of reduced school funding due to declining enrollment. The state pays schools a certain amount per pupil, and fewer students means fewer dollars.

By Katrina Styx , April 18, 2013

United Way’s volunteer network highlighted

The United Way of Hastings is recognizing National Volunteer Week by getting the word out about its E-Volunteer Network. The network compiles a list for both volunteers to browse and organizations to list their openings.

April 18, 2013

Midtown Tire collects 180 pounds of food for Hastings Family Service

Midtown Tire and Service Center in Hastings recently held a food drive. They collected more than 180 pounds of food during the drive, all of which was donated to Hastings Family Service.

April 18, 2013

Hastings teen dies by suicide

An 18-year-old Hastings woman died by suicide Thursday, April 11, at about 10:30 a.m. in the 1200 block of Sibley Street.

By Chad Richardson , April 12, 2013

Second in the nation: Riverside Company is first runner-up at nationals

Last year, Hastings High School’s top show choir, Riverside Company, made its first appearance at the Show Choir Nationals and placed third. Last weekend, the choir returned to nationals, held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn., and did even better. Judges ranked them the second best high school show choir in the nation.

By Katrina Styx , April 11, 2013