*High above downtown Hastings, a bald eagle pauses against a gray summer sky — a fitting river-town scene captured by* *Ashley* *in 2025.*

Hastings is heading into a mostly sunny, warm, and humid Thursday, with a high near 89°F and storm chances returning overnight. Translation: a good day to get the errands done, check the weekend plans, and maybe find something cool, useful, generous, or berry-stained before the holiday weekend fully kicks in.

Today’s LOCAL 10 includes raspberries, road planning, donation matches, July round-ups, holiday hours, family nature adventures, and a few local reminders worth saving before the long weekend.

Today in Hastings in 10 Seconds

Thursday, July 2nd is shaping up warm, humid, and busy around Hastings. Start with a quick weather check, then note the morning raspberry window, the upcoming Hwy 61 public meeting, July donation opportunities, holiday closures, youth registration deadlines, and a few indoor options for anyone who prefers air conditioning with their weekend plans.

Top 3 Today

1. Pick-your-own raspberries open Thursday morning at Afton Apple Orchard

Source: Afton Apple Orchard

Afton Apple Orchard says pick-your-own raspberries are open Thursday, July 2nd, from 8 a.m. to noon. This is one of those “good if you catch it in time” summer updates: fresh berries, a morning window, and a clear reason to check before you go. Picking can change quickly based on weather and how fast the fields get picked, so use Afton’s latest update or voicemail before heading out.

Why it matters: A simple, useful family outing — but only if people see it while it is still actionable.

Check the source for latest details →
https://m.facebook.com/AftonAppleOrchard/posts/pfbid02QfaiEbmNg4AjfZuBtqWvaBipM5gmxwhnbzmtC6WdJvCi5uvWnuyMbQ1pEKsGxockl

2. Hwy 61 reconstruction public meeting set for July 14

Source: City of Hastings Government / MnDOT

A public meeting for the Hwy 61 reconstruction project is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14. Because this is an official road project that may affect drivers, businesses, walkers, and downtown routines, readers should use the MnDOT project page for the most accurate details, maps, meeting information, and future updates.

Why it matters: Hwy 61 touches daily life in Hastings. This is one to save, read carefully, and share with anyone who drives, works, walks, bikes, or owns a business near the corridor.

View the official source →
https://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy61hastings/index.html

3. July donations to Hastings Family Service can be matched

Source: Hastings Family Service

Hastings Family Service shared that July donations can be matched through the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge. Summer can be a tough stretch for food shelves and family-support organizations, and a matching opportunity can help local gifts go further. Since the donation link in the source update may be the safest path from today’s feed, readers should use the original post or Hastings Family Service’s official channels for the latest donation details.

Why it matters: This is a practical way for neighbors to help neighbors during a month when food support and household needs remain important.

Read the original update →
https://m.facebook.com/HastingsFamilyService/posts/pfbid0tVi2821RZwWF4mmN1uvzrRi3BKZskWBmvJfSio1rhdrpKKr2nGFKebK3bKTHZmWTl

Seven Quick Hits

4. Spiral’s July Round Up supports Ability 2 Believe

Source: Spiral Food Co-op

Spiral Food Co-op’s July Round Up supports Ability 2 Believe. Shoppers can round up at checkout during July to support the local nonprofit through a simple everyday purchase.

Action cue: Round up during a July Spiral visit.

Read the original update →
https://m.facebook.com/SpiralFoodCoop/posts/pfbid02hKSEKm15LEkSGydfZTqRA9CvpZh4gpBf2EmumUu7VusmuGic4bwRceGQVbAawE9cl

5. Lawshe Museum closed July 2–5 while HAHS hosts pop-up exhibit

Source: Hastings Area Historical Society

The Lawshe Museum is closed July 2–5 while the Hastings Area Historical Society participates in a history pop-up connected to the America 250 / MN 250 celebration at Mall of America. Good local-history note; just remember the pop-up is not in Hastings.

Action cue: Check HAHS before planning a museum visit this weekend.

Read the original update →
https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=100064855148097&story_fbid=pfbid0dsUM1RhhEyJZbGnaEkfov6C8Kbvc9QJg7iMVu8H1vLeshS5u3tnLGy8G2irc2GgCl

6. Carpenter Nature Center launches family Backpack Adventures

Source: Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center

Carpenter Nature Center says its family Backpack Adventures have launched at the Wisconsin Campus. It sounds like a useful summer option for families who want a guided-feeling outdoor activity without overcomplicating the day.

Action cue: Check Carpenter Nature Center for how to participate.

Check the source for latest details →
https://m.facebook.com/CarpenterNatureCenter/posts/pfbid02SUrqpjh1nPsdVXKx5geAedFxB2XgaPEGfGFk7cQDPTti2XrMzbrcbYYMbr1UsQvxl

7. Youth flag football jersey deadline is July 10 at noon

Source: Hastings Community Education

Hastings Community Education shared a youth flag football reminder: register by Friday, July 10th at noon to receive the NFL flag football jersey. The original post is Instagram-linked, so check the source and registration links for the exact program details.

Action cue: Register before noon on July 10 if the jersey deadline matters to your family.

Check the source for latest details →
https://www.instagram.com/p/DaQ7reCiUmw

8. SEAS seeks snack donations for Totus Tuus week

Source: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish

SEAS is looking for snack donations for Totus Tuus week, which runs July 5–10. If you are part of the parish community or looking for a small way to help, check the original post for what is needed and how to drop items off.

Action cue: Check the source before bringing donations.

Read the original update →
https://m.facebook.com/seashastings/posts/pfbid0hpVBctfHiCUgnEica838teWbpYbws4XgqSPyg5qJJ1DRgQwhsnB7ap7bfVoK7F3pl

9. 328 Grill closed July 4 and 5

*Image:* *328 Grill. Photo courtesy of HastingsNow.com.*

Source: 328 Grill

328 Grill says it will be closed July 4 and 5. Short, simple, and useful — especially for anyone building a holiday weekend food plan and trying to avoid the classic “wait, they’re closed?” moment.

Action cue: Plan ahead for July 4–5.

Read the original update →
https://m.facebook.com/328Grill/posts/pfbid02H6tHWUzhQxfDtPRj4PNhN9bXFv4cVojbwK3N4UBWBv1XgxpRniTJtfHvdCeE5ojhl

10. Bogey’s offers climate-controlled $25 simulator special

Source: Bogey’s Pub and Golf Simulators

Bogey’s Pub and Golf Simulators shared a $25 simulator special for the holiday weekend. With heat, humidity, and storm chances in the broader forecast, this could be a handy indoor option — but check or book with Bogey’s for current availability.

Action cue: Check availability before making plans.

Book or check details →
www.bogeyspubandgolfsimulators.com

If You Only Click One

Make it the Hwy 61 reconstruction project page. This is the most useful single click because it connects residents to the official source for a project that may affect daily routes, downtown access, businesses, and local travel patterns.

For road projects and public meetings, HastingsNow’s summary is only a starting point. Use MnDOT’s official page for the most accurate meeting details, maps, timelines, and updates.

View the official source →
https://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy61hastings/index.html

Also today: Weather + On This Date

Today’s Weather + On This Date companion has the full Hastings forecast for Thursday, July 2nd, including mostly sunny, warm, humid conditions and storm chances returning overnight. It also adds the daily time-capsule layer for readers who like their local updates with a little history.

Read today’s Weather + On This Date →
https://www.hastingsnow.com/weather/hastings-mn-weather-on-this-date-thursday-july-2

How LOCAL 10 Works / Respond to This Story

LOCAL 10 is selected from reviewed local updates, public source posts, official announcements, Soundbites, and HastingsNow editorial judgment. HastingsNow prioritizes useful, timely, locally relevant updates with public value.

If your business, organization, team, or event was mentioned and you want to add a correction, thank-you, extra detail, updated link, or 30-second response, DM HastingsNow and ask for the LOCAL 10 Reply Line.

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Source Note

LOCAL 10 is built from reviewed local updates, public source posts, official announcements, Soundbites, and HastingsNow editorial selection. Public social posts are used as discovery sources; images from public posts are not reused unless permission is granted.

Local Note