What Hastings Is Talking About Today (Community Edition ▲ 27 July 2025)

The Downtown Business Association hosts a Car Show in Historic Downtown Hastings, Minnesota. Image by HastingsNow.com/ashley

Good morning, Hastings! Your chatty neighbor here, popping by with a hot mug of local news, gossip and good cheer. From river rescues to neighborhood mysteries, these are the ten stories everybody’s buzzing about right now. Let’s dive in together and smile a bit!

News

River rescue after boat explosion

On Saturday afternoon a boat at the Miss‑Croix Yacht Harbor in nearby Prescott exploded while taking on fuel. Hastings paramedics provided mutual‑aid and rushed five burn victims to hospital. Witnesses reported a loud bang and smoke; responders reminded boaters to turn on blowers before starting engines to clear dangerous fumes cbsnews.com. While the cause is still under investigation, the incident underscores the importance of boating safety. Expect to see increased patrols on the river as investigators check fuel docks and emphasize proper ventilation. 

👉 Link: Facebook post

Banks vs. burgers: why are late‑night diners disappearing?

One neighbor counted “26 million banks” in town and only one place for fast food after 10 p.m. He’s exaggerating, but the question taps into a national trend. The FDIC reports more than 4 500 federally insured banks operating over 76 000 offices across the U.S. fdic.gov. Meanwhile, the restaurant industry has shortened hours since the pandemic; a recent analysis found the average restaurant now operates about six hours fewer per week because of labor shortages and shifting habits blog.cheapism.com. So if your stomach is growling at 11 p.m., blame economics rather than city planners. Who knows—maybe a late‑night taco truck is the next big business opportunity. 

👉 Link: Facebook post

Community

Shelf delivered to the wrong house? Here’s what to do

When Kortney’s shiny new shelf showed up on somebody else’s porch, she turned to the community for help. If you receive a misdelivered package, postal experts advise writing “Return to Sender” on it and placing it back in your mailbox; you should also notify your local post office and avoid opening or tampering with it usestable.com. Being neighborly means watching out for each other’s deliveries. Keep an eye on your porch cameras and don’t hesitate to drop by if you see a wayward box. 

👉 Link: Facebook post

Stuffed animals on the pickleball fence

Several folks noticed plush bears and other toys adorning the fence near the pickleball courts and asked about the story behind them. It turns out that roadside “teddy bear fences” have become a quirky tradition elsewhere: in Montana, a farmer hung stuffed bears on a fence to protest a wildlife crossing, and neighbors soon added their own toys until it became a local landmark theriver979.com. Our Hastings version appears to be a playful tribute, inviting kids to add a stuffed friend and spread smiles. Keep an eye out—you might spot your favorite character cheering you on from the sideline. 

👉 Link: Facebook post

Where to find a vet for your fur‑baby

Pets are family, so finding the right veterinarian matters. Experts suggest asking friends or neighbors for recommendations and scheduling a meet‑and‑greet to see if the clinic’s philosophy matches your own. Look for flexible hours, convenient location, and services that meet your pet’s needs; make sure the practice is licensed or accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association webmd.com. Ask about payment options and emergency care plans, too. With these tips, your fur‑baby will be in caring hands. 

👉 Link: Facebook post

New neighbors seeking schools

Moving to a new town is exciting and nerve‑wracking—especially when your sixth‑ and third‑graders need great schools. Relocation specialists recommend identifying your child’s needs (class size, extracurriculars and special programs), then touring campuses and coordinating housing decisions around school preferences moveadvisor.com. Consider transportation, after‑school care and community culture. Hastings has made improvements in recent years, and local parents love sharing experiences on social media, so don’t hesitate to ask questions. 

👉 Link: Facebook post

Acts of kindness at Dairy Queen and Ze’s Diner

This week several residents thanked strangers for paying for their meals. A customer at a Minnesota Dairy Queen once started a pay‑it‑forward chain that lasted for 900 cars, generating more than $10 000 in goodwill allrecipes.com. The same spirit lives on here: one mom and daughter were treated to dinner at Ze’s Diner, and another family’s ice‑cream run was covered by a mystery benefactor. These gestures remind us that small acts can ripple through a community. Maybe your next burger will taste even better knowing you’ve passed along the kindness. 

👉 Link: Facebook post

Furry friend found: tips for returning a lost dog

A resident posted about a friendly dog found wandering alone. If you encounter a lost pup, animal‑care experts say to watch body language, approach slowly from the side and offer treats; if the dog seems fearful or aggressive, call animal control akc.org. Once contained, check for ID tags or take the dog to a vet or shelter to scan for a microchip; avoid letting the stray interact with your own pets until its vaccinations are confirmed akc.org. Posting on social media and local groups helps reunite pets with owners. Our neighborly network is often faster than official channels. 

👉 Link: Facebook post

Events & Deals

Free wood: DIY paradise

Brooke is giving away a load of free wood—perfect for campfires, woodworking or repurposing into shelves and planters. Recycling wood keeps it out of landfills and reduces the need to fell trees; waste wood can become chipboard, animal bedding, mulch and even carbon‑neutral fuel recyclingbristol.com. Bring a friend and a truck to haul away your share. There are no holds, so first come, first served. 

👉 Link: Facebook post

Nature‑based early childhood education: open house for young learners

Marisol invited families to tour a local school enrolling children aged 0‑12. Nature‑based early childhood education programs use outdoor spaces to foster cognitive, physical, emotional and social growth; researchers note that spending time outdoors promotes development in ways that indoor classrooms often don’t merrylea.goshen.edu. Combining environmental learning with research‑based teaching techniques helps kids learn resilience, creativity and care for the environment. Stop by the open house to meet the teachers, explore the outdoor playground and see if nature‑based learning is right for your little bee. 

👉 Link: Facebook post

Conclusion

That’s your LOCAL 10 roundup—ten conversations that define Hastings right now, from serious safety news to heart‑warming gestures and fun events. Thanks for reading, neighbor! For more local stories and the full version of these discussions, visit HastingsNow.com and join the conversation. If you spot a misstatement or have a hot tip, drop us a line at HastingsNow.com/contact—our newsroom loves neighborly notes!