opinion

To the editor, I’ve lived in Hastings for almost three years (so I’m not a “townie”) since I bought a house here on the east side. I love many things about Hastings including the people and the small town atmosphere. But I had to comment on the editorial about the fact...

To the editor, On Friday night, July 11, Minnesota Representative John Kline received national recognition on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, by being named a “Worst Congressman.” Maher says “there are a lot of terrible, entrenched congressmen out there.” Why would...

At times, it is hard to believe what Bob McNamara accomplished in his lifetime. He had very humble beginnings in a house full of boys being raised by a single mother. He somehow went from that to become a standout football star here and then, later, stardom at the University...

To the editor, My family decided to go to Lake Byllesby on a beautiful holiday to observe the Fourth of July. We opted to go to the Dakota County side of the lake for a picnic. That was an expensive mistake I would like to warn others about. We drove through the parking lot...

Downtown Hastings could really use a break. More than anything, though, they could use your help. Usually, downtown gets a big shot in the arm from its biweekly car shows throughout the summer. This year, though, rain has significantly impacted pretty much every show. Some have...

Minnesota’s new medical marijuana law is intentionally and appropriately narrow. Those who truly need the beneficial compounds in cannabis will be able to get it, not by smoking but by ingesting pills or liquid, just like other medications. The law is written tightly enough to discourage...

To the editor, On behalf of the Hastings Concert Association board, I am responding to last week’s editorial relating to the concert series held at the LeDuc Estate on Sunday evenings in August. Since our move to the LeDuc (which is City of Hastings property) several years...

What a week in Hastings news. On the front page this week, we have a terrible tragedy, a close funnel cloud scare, the challenge facing the Hastings Country Club and, of course, the flood. We have a little bit more to say on a few of those stories: In the shooting death —...

To the editor, What next? Now the state government has taken another step further into our lives. A ban on youths under the age of 18 tanning in a tanning salon. Not even with a parent’s consent. Young people, are you going to stand for this? Parents: are you going to tolerate...

To the editor, I recently finished an internship with A Healthier Hastings 4 All and would like to recognize AHHA for the work they do and share my experience. I have been truly fortunate to have learned a great deal about community health while working with and learning from the...

On Friday morning, the graduating class of 2014 at Hastings High School certainly had a lot to smile about. They were, of course, graduating that night. Another reason to smile? The weather. It looked as though it was shaping up to be a beautiful day and it sure seemed like...

Hastings is lucky to have a well-run and well-attended Memorial Day observance at Roadside Park every year. This year was no different. Hundreds of people came in their best red, white and blue clothing to hear the speeches, sing along to patriotic songs and pay their respects...

To the editor, Hastings Family Service would like to thank the community of Hastings and the local postal carriers for the overwhelming response to the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on May 10. This national Food Drive is the largest in the nation and it also is on record as HFS’...

To the editor, Did you see the front page news of the Hastings Star Gazette on May 8? The story said that between $30,000 to $100,000 will be spent on a study to determine the impact of the new bridge on birds. It’s strange, but it seems that birds get more attention and protection...

To the editor, Dakota County’s favorite comedian is at it again. This time, Congressman John Kline took to the airwaves over the weekend to deliver the Republican Party response to the President’s weekly radio message. Kline used this opportunity to toss out partisan one-liners...