*Theresa Chatelle advocates for the United Way of Hastings during National Night Out at Lion’s Park in Hastings, Minnesota. Photo by HastingsNow.com*

Thursday’s LOCAL 10 brings a last-call school-supply opportunity, local overdose-awareness resources, State Farm dividend information, upcoming Hastings events, hiring news and a few reasons to look ahead to the weekend.

Weather + On This Date

Thursday, August 20, brings warm summer weather to Hastings, with a high near 83°F, sunshine giving way to increasing clouds and only a small storm chance late in the day. Showers and thunderstorms become more likely Thursday evening, so outdoor plans may be easier earlier in the day.

See the full forecast alongside today’s local-history stories in Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026.

Thursday’s list has a strong practical streak: one deadline is almost here, another registration window closes Friday, and several local organizations have new information residents can act on now.

There are also a few things worth putting farther out on the calendar, including a Hastings gym reopening, a fiddle contest at LeDuc Mansion and a free art festival across the river.

Here are today’s LOCAL 10.

Top 3 Today

1. Hastings Family Service still has school-supply appointments for Thursday and Friday

Families who still need help getting ready for the school year have a little time left. Hastings Family Service’s School Supply Assistance program is distributing supplies by appointment through Friday, August 21, for families living in or students attending school in ISD 200.

Hastings Family Service’s latest update says appointments remain for Thursday, August 20, and Friday, August 21, until filled. Parents or guardians who qualify should act soon rather than assume appointments will remain available later in the week.

Readers can review eligibility and school-supply assistance details or see Hastings Family Service’s latest availability update.

2. Hastings marks Overdose and Fentanyl Awareness Month

The Hastings City Council has proclaimed August International Overdose and Fentanyl Awareness Month, adding a local voice to a public-health issue that continues to affect families and communities.

Residents can read the City of Hastings announcement.

For people looking for something actionable, Dakota County separately provides free naloxone resources. The county maintains information about naloxone access along with other opioid and substance-use resources.

Find the current information directly through Dakota County’s opioid and free naloxone resources.

3. State Farm begins one-time auto-dividend payments

Some Hastings-area State Farm customers may want to watch their email or mailbox.

State Farm Mutual has begun rolling out a one-time dividend payment to qualifying personal-auto customers. Generally, eligibility begins with having an eligible State Farm Mutual personal-auto policy active during 2025 and meeting the company’s dividend requirements.

Payments are being distributed in waves rather than all at once. Customers with an email address on file may receive instructions for choosing a digital payment or check, while other qualifying customers may receive a check through the mail.

State Farm’s official dividend information explains eligibility and how the rollout works. Hastings agent Teran Harmon State Farm also shared the local heads-up.

Quick Hits

4. Hastings Football Golf Classic registration closes Friday

There is one more near-term deadline to know about.

Registration for the 17th Annual Hastings Football Golf Classic closes Friday, August 21. The tournament is scheduled for Friday, August 28, at Hastings Golf Club and is intended for adult golfers and supporters of Hastings football.

Players can review the Hastings Football Golf Classic event details and register for the tournament here.

Hastings Raiders Football also shared a current Golf Classic video update.

Availability can change quickly, so we are not repeating an earlier count of remaining team openings.

5. Anytime Fitness Hastings plans September grand reopening

The remodeled Anytime Fitness Hastings is planning a Grand Re-Opening Party on Saturday, September 19, from 9:00 AM to noon.

The event is aimed at current members, prospective members and community visitors interested in seeing the updated Hastings location.

Readers can visit the official Anytime Fitness Hastings location page or see the Hastings club’s Grand Re-Opening announcement.

The celebration is still about a month away, so there is time for additional details to emerge before September 19.

6. Minnesota State Fiddle Association Contest coming to LeDuc Mansion

A different kind of September event is headed to one of Hastings’ historic landmarks.

The City of Hastings is promoting a Minnesota State Fiddle Association Contest on Saturday, September 19, at Historic LeDuc Mansion, 1629 Vermillion Street. Registration is listed for 1:30 PM, with the contest beginning at 2:30 PM.

Readers can see the City of Hastings event announcement and learn more generally about the Minnesota State Fiddle Association.

For now, use the City announcement for the specific September 19 event details.

7. Carpenter Art Festival takes over the Wisconsin Campus Saturday

Carpenter Nature Center has a weekend option just across the river.

The Carpenter Art Festival runs Saturday, August 22, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Carpenter Nature Center’s Wisconsin Campus, 300 East Cove Road near Hudson.

Admission is free, and the event includes nature-oriented artists and vendors along with food and beverage options.

See the complete Carpenter Art Festival event page or Carpenter Nature Center’s latest festival update.

One location reminder: this festival is at Carpenter’s Wisconsin Campus near Hudson, not its Hastings campus.

8. Hastings Bierstube adds manager to its hiring call

The Hastings Bierstube is continuing to hire — and its newest update adds another position.

The restaurant says it is looking for another manager, along with bartenders, servers and cooks. Applicants are directed to stop in for an application or message the business privately.

See the Bierstube’s latest Hastings hiring post or find Hastings Bierstube location information.

The manager opening is the new development here; bartenders, servers and cooks were already part of an earlier hiring call. Pay, schedule, qualifications and a hiring deadline were not included in the approved information.

9. Town & Country Veterinary Services adds acupuncture

Hastings pet owners have another local veterinary service to know about.

Town & Country Veterinary Services at 520 Vermillion Street now lists acupuncture among the services available through the Hastings clinic.

Pet owners interested in the service can review Town & Country’s veterinary services or see the clinic’s acupuncture announcement.

We’re keeping this update to what is established: acupuncture is now available as a service. Questions about whether it is appropriate for a particular pet should go directly to the veterinary team.

10. Hastings Public House adds avocado toast to Sunday brunch

Sunday brunch has a new menu option at Hastings Public House.

The restaurant says avocado toast has joined its Sunday breakfast offerings. Hastings Public House currently lists Sunday brunch from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM at 2015 Westview Drive.

Readers can check Hastings Public House’s current restaurant information and brunch hours or see the avocado toast announcement.

No current price for the new menu item was included in the approved information.

If You Only Click One

Start with Hastings Family Service’s School Supply Assistance page.

That information has the shortest clock attached to it: distribution ends Friday, August 21, and remaining appointments are available only until filled.

Have a Useful Local Update?

Hastings-area businesses, organizations and residents may submit useful updates, clarifications and responses through Local Pigeon for review.

Submissions are reviewed before publication, submitting something does not guarantee that it will be published, and HastingsNow remains the editor and publisher responsible for what appears in LOCAL 10.

How LOCAL 10 Is Selected

LOCAL 10 is selected for usefulness, timing, local relevance, source diversity and public value.

Inclusion is not paid placement and is not guaranteed.

LOCAL 10: School Supplies, Naloxone and Auto Dividends