LOCAL 10: Road Access, Raider Football and Fall Plans
A flock of geese soars across a glowing autumn sky, capturing the beauty of the changing seasons. Today's HastingsNow LOCAL 10 highlights road updates, Raider football, local businesses and fall activities around Hastings, Minnesota. HastingsNow original photography | AI-assisted artistic enhancement
North Frontage Road changes, an undefeated Raiders football team, student rewards, fall activities and community support lead today's Hastings updates.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Hastings, Minnesota
Today's weather companion
Weather + On This Date by HastingsNow.com
Tuesday brings sunshine and a high near 68°F, with light southeast winds making the afternoon comfortable for errands, yard cleanup or time outdoors. Expect a clear night with temperatures falling to around 46°F, and explore more in Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date for October 20.
What's happening around Hastings?
Some of this week's most useful local news comes down to knowing where to go, when to show up and which opportunities are worth a closer look.
Construction is changing access along North Frontage Road, the undefeated Hastings Raiders have another home football game approaching, and a local dairy shop has introduced a reward program specifically for teenagers.
Beyond those immediate updates, Hastings has creative classes, Halloween activities, shopping opportunities and community generosity worth knowing about.
Here are today's ten local updates.
TOP 3 TODAY
1. North Frontage Road construction changes access to Fluegel's
Drivers heading toward Fluegel's Lawn, Garden & Pet Supply should plan for a different approach this week.
Construction connected to Hastings' Central Water Treatment Plant is affecting North Frontage Road, with closures scheduled for October 19–23 and again October 26–30, 2026.
Fluegel's is directing customers to use Westview Drive, near Taco Bell, to reach its business during the current construction period.
The distinction matters: that route is the business's guidance for reaching its own location, not necessarily the designated route to every property along the affected roadway.
Anyone making an errand in the area can review Fluegel's original customer access notice and KDWA's report on the temporary North Frontage Road closures before heading out.
For nearby businesses and customers, a few minutes of planning could help avoid an unnecessary turnaround.
2. Undefeated Hastings Raiders host Mankato East Wednesday
The Hastings Raiders have one more regular-season football game ahead, and they're entering it with a 7–0 record.
Hastings hosts Mankato East on Wednesday, October 21, at 6 PM, at McNamara Stadium/Todd Field. The evening will also recognize senior players as the Raiders close out their regular-season schedule.
For students, families and supporters, it's another chance to gather around the team and recognize the seniors who have helped shape the season.
According to Hastings Athletics, most varsity home games charge $10 for adults and $5 for students, and cash is not accepted for admission. Readers should use the official athletics information to review ticket arrangements for the game rather than assume those general prices apply to every event.
See the Hastings Raiders Football game announcement and official Hastings Athletics ticket information.
Game details: Wednesday, October 21 • 6 PM • Todd Field, Hastings.
3. Hometown Dairy introduces Raiders student loyalty cards
Hometown Dairy has a new reason for local teenagers to stop by.
The Hastings business has introduced a Raiders student loyalty card for students ages 14–18, applying to ice cream or sandwiches.
According to the business's announcement, students can earn a free item after five punches on their card.
It's a small, locally focused way to recognize the student crowd while giving participating teens something to work toward on future visits.
Students should ask Hometown Dairy how the punches are earned and which items qualify for the free reward, as those details were not fully specified in the announcement.
Read Hometown Dairy's original Raiders student loyalty card announcement.
Who it's for: Students ages 14–18.
Local 10 infographic by HastingsNow.com
SEVEN MORE LOCAL UPDATES
4. Make a crushed-glass sun catcher Wednesday evening
A little midweek creativity is on the Hastings Community Education schedule.
The Crushed Glass & Resin Sun Catcher class takes place Wednesday, October 21, from 6–8 PM, at Tilden Community Center. Participants will work with materials supplied as part of the class.
Registration is listed at $65, or $60 for senior center members.
Anyone interested can review the official sun-catcher class description and registration page. Enrollment availability may change.
5. Downtown Halloween Candy Crawl returns Sunday
Costumes, downtown storefronts and community giving will come together this weekend.
The Hastings Downtown Business Association's Halloween Candy Crawl takes place Sunday, October 25, from 2–5 PM.
Families and other downtown visitors can take part in trick-or-treating at participating businesses and enjoy additional activities organized around the event.
Organizers are also collecting food donations for Hastings Family Service, adding a community-support element to the afternoon.
Some individual attractions may charge separately, so readers should consult the official Hastings Downtown Halloween Candy Crawl information before making plans.
6. Downtown Tire & Auto highlights Goodyear rebate offer
Fall tire shopping comes with a potential rebate opportunity at Downtown Tire & Auto.
The Hastings business is promoting a Goodyear rebate of up to $100 on a set of four qualifying tires, with an advertised purchase period of September 1 through November 30, 2026.
The amount depends on the tires purchased and the applicable rebate conditions. Customers must submit a qualifying claim; the advertised amount is not an automatic discount on every set of four.
Before purchasing, compare the Downtown Tire & Auto promotion with Goodyear's official rebate information.
7. Community Education hosts Spooktacular Puzzle Tournament Saturday
How quickly can four people finish a 500-piece puzzle?
Hastings Community Education is putting that question to local teams at its Spooktacular Puzzle Tournament on Saturday, October 24, at Tilden Community Center.
Doors open at 9 AM, with the competition beginning at 9:30 AM. Registration is $40 per four-person team, and teams of all ages are welcome. The event runs through 11 AM, with an accompanying puzzle exchange for spectators.
Space is limited, and remaining team availability should be checked directly through the official Spooktacular Puzzle Tournament registration page.
8. Wexford Holiday Market brings seasonal shopping to Hastings
For those beginning their holiday shopping, the Wexford at Emerald Greens is opening its doors for a seasonal market.
The Holiday Market & Craft Show takes place Sunday, October 25, from 10 AM–4 PM, at 14425 Goodwin Avenue in Hastings.
Organizers are advertising more than 40 vendors offering gifts, handmade goods and seasonal decorations. Admission is free.
Vendor applications are already closed, but shoppers are welcome to explore the event.
Find more information on the Wexford's official 2026 Holiday Market page.
9. Hastings teachers receive $1,000 Adopt-A-Classroom grants
There's encouraging news from Hastings Public Schools.
The district is recognizing teachers who received $1,000 Adopt-A-Classroom grants, made possible through the generosity of Ruth and George Doffing.
The funding is intended to provide additional classroom resources and opportunities for students.
The announcement celebrates the participating educators and the local support behind the grants, without specifying a total number of recipients or an aggregate grant amount.
Read the Hastings Public Schools Adopt-A-Classroom grant announcement.
10. Lock and Dam Eatery plans another year of free Thanksgiving dinners
One Hastings restaurant is already looking ahead to helping neighbors during the holidays.
Lock and Dam Eatery has announced plans to provide free Thanksgiving turkey dinners for a seventh year.
The restaurant says the meals will be offered without eligibility questions, continuing an initiative intended to make a holiday meal available to community members who would appreciate one.
Reservations are not yet open in the announcement. Lock and Dam Eatery plans to share a SignUpGenius reservation link, with meal-distribution details to follow.
For now, residents can follow Lock and Dam Eatery's original Thanksgiving dinner announcement and look for its future signup instructions.
IF YOU ONLY CLICK ONE
For families organizing their weekend, start with the Hastings Downtown Business Association's official Halloween Candy Crawl page. It provides a first-party starting point for planning Sunday's downtown activities while also highlighting the event's food-donation component.
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