*Summer road construction on 4th Street in Hastings, Minnesota, underway this summer. Photo by* *Ashley Media*.

Friday’s LOCAL 10 brings a last call for school-supply assistance, a clearer Highway 61 construction timeline, a Hastings hospital milestone, weekend plans and several ways local families can get ready for fall.

Weather companion

Friday, August 21 looks pleasant for errands and afternoon plans, with mostly sunny skies, highs in the lower 80s and light west winds turning northwest later in the day. Friday night should be mostly clear, with lows in the lower 60s.

For the full forecast — plus today’s local history — read Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Friday, August 21, 2026.

Friday’s list has a distinctly late-August feel: one important back-to-school deadline, several ways families can prepare for the weeks ahead, and a Saturday orchard opening that signals fall isn’t far away.

There’s also a longer-range update worth understanding now. MnDOT has clarified the timeline for the major Highway 61 reconstruction through Hastings, while Hastings Regina Campus is marking a new surgical capability close to home.

Here are today’s LOCAL 10.

TOP 3 TODAY

1. Final day for Hastings Family Service school-supply appointments

Friday, August 21 is the final scheduled distribution day for Hastings Family Service’s school-supply assistance program. Free new school supplies are available for families living in ISD 200 and students attending school in the district.

Appointments are available until filled. Parents and guardians who still need assistance should review the Hastings Family Service school-supply information and contact HFS during service hours.

The important limitation: Friday is the final scheduled distribution day, but an appointment or particular supply cannot be guaranteed.

2. MnDOT clarifies the Hastings Highway 61 construction timeline

The Highway 61 reconstruction through Hastings is currently tentatively scheduled from fall 2027 through spring 2029, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. MnDOT says most of the construction is expected to happen during 2028.

The project extends from just north of Third Street to just south of 36th Street. MnDOT also says a full Highway 61 closure is not anticipated.

Residents, commuters and businesses that want to understand what is being planned can start with MnDOT’s official Highway 61 Hastings project page.

That official timeline is important: some local discussion has shortened the project to “2028–29,” but MnDOT currently describes the tentative construction window as fall 2027 through spring 2029.

3. Hastings Regina Campus completes its first robotic-assisted procedure

Allina Health United Hospital – Hastings Regina Campus says its surgical team has completed the Hastings campus’s first robotic-assisted procedure using the da Vinci Surgical System.

The system is now available at the Hastings campus for its gynecology and general-surgery programs. Residents interested in the hospital announcement can read the Hastings Regina Campus update.

This is a local healthcare-capability update rather than a claim about individual patient outcomes. Questions about whether a procedure or treatment is appropriate should stay between patients and their healthcare providers.

QUICK HITS

4. Coborn’s hosts a Minnesota-made sampling event Friday afternoon

Coborn’s is inviting shoppers to its Hastings store on Friday, August 21 from 3–6 PM for an afternoon sampling event featuring Minnesota-made products.

If you’re already making a Friday grocery run, you can view Coborn’s event announcement before heading over.

The announcement does not provide a complete list of participating vendors or products, so consider the sampling lineup subject to what is available at the store that afternoon.

5. Afton Apple Orchard opens for fall picking Saturday

A little taste of fall arrives this weekend: Afton Apple Orchard opens Saturday, August 22 for pick-your-own fall raspberries along with Paula Red and Zestar apples. First Kiss apples are expected in the store.

Beginning Saturday, the orchard says it plans to be open daily from 10 AM–6 PM through October 31.

Before making the trip, check Afton Apple Orchard’s opening announcement. Crop availability can change, so a variety available at opening may not necessarily remain available throughout the weekend.

6. Little Beginnings opens enrollment for 2026–27 Pre-K

Little Beginnings Learning Center says enrollment is now open for its 2026–27 Pre-K program in Hastings.

Families interested in learning more or arranging a tour can view Little Beginnings’ enrollment announcement and contact the center directly.

Tuition, schedule details and the exact number of available openings were not included in the source information, so those are good questions to ask before making plans.

7. Harbor Church opens Awana registration

The Harbor Church in Hastings says registration is open for its Awana program.

Families interested in participating can begin with The Harbor Church’s Awana registration announcement, which directs families toward the church’s registration information.

The available announcement does not establish ages, meeting dates, fees or a registration deadline, so check the church’s current information before registering.

8. Hastings Community Education has Fall 2026 ECFE options available

Hastings Community Education is pointing parents and caregivers toward its Fall 2026 Early Childhood Family Education offerings at the Tilden Community Center.

ECFE provides programming for young children and the adults who care for them. Families can browse current class information, ages, schedules, fees and registration details on the official Hastings Community Education ECFE page.

Because individual offerings can differ in age eligibility, schedule and availability, use that registration page for the class-specific details.

9. Pine Harbor schedules September 1 open house for school families

Pine Harbor Christian Academy is inviting new and returning PHCA families to an open house on Tuesday, September 1.

The school’s announcement also says its first day of school will be Tuesday, September 8. Current Pine Harbor families can read the school’s open-house announcement for the latest information.

This is a school-family notice rather than a general invitation to the public.

10. Jan’s School of Dance plans Monday open house and Back to Dance Bash

Jan’s School of Dance has two overlapping activities planned for Monday, August 24 in Hastings.

The open house runs from 5–6 PM, followed by the Back to Dance Bash from 5:30–8 PM. Current and prospective dance families can meet instructors, ask questions and prepare for the upcoming dance season.

See Jan’s School of Dance’s event announcement before attending. The available information does not establish whether advance registration is required for either activity.

IF YOU ONLY CLICK ONE

Start with MnDOT’s official Highway 61 Hastings project page.

The reconstruction will eventually affect a large share of Hastings residents, commuters and businesses, and the official page is the best place to follow the tentative timeline and project information as plans develop.

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Inclusion is not paid placement and is not guaranteed.

LOCAL 10: School Supplies, Highway 61 and Hastings Weekend Plans