What Hastings Is Talking About Today (Neighbors Edition ▲ August 9, 2025)
Image by HastingsNow.com/Ashley
It’s another beautiful day in Hastings, friends! Our neighborhoods are buzzing with traffic‑safety patrols, back‑to‑school deals, and nature talk galore. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in while your friendly neighborhood reporter shares the stories everyone is chatting about today.
News & Community
Eyes on the Road: Eden Prairie Traffic Patrol
A Minnesota Department of Public Safety reporter rode along with Officer Chad Streiff on a humid summer day. The veteran officer cruised Eden Prairie neighborhoods searching for reckless drivers. He spotted an SUV parked awkwardly with a woman struggling to get out—right near a child pedaling by. The encounter underscored why extra patrols are deployed during the “100 deadliest days” of summer. Streiff’s experience helped him quickly stop an intoxicated driver before anyone was hurt. Office of Traffic Safety director Mike Hanson reminds residents to call 911 if they see dangerous driving; one tip can save a life.
👉 Link: Eyes wide open: catching dangerous drivers in Eden Prairie
Deer Season Details: Simplified Licenses and Bigger Bag Limits
Deer‑hunting season is almost here. The Minnesota DNR’s July 29 news release explains that hunting licenses went on sale Aug. 1. The department simplified regulations by creating one statewide firearms deer license; the old B‑season license has been eliminated, so hunters can use a single license for both the statewide firearms A season and the late southeast B season. Bag limits also changed: 25 deer permit areas now allow more deer, two areas have lower limits, and most permit areas remain unchanged. Two consecutive mild winters have improved deer populations, increasing harvest opportunities. Hunters in antlerless lottery areas must buy licenses by Sept. 4 and watch for self‑service chronic wasting disease testing stations.
👉 Link: Deer season details available now and hunting licenses on sale Aug. 1
$71 Million Expansion Energizes Rosemount
Rosemount’s Spectro Alloys is investing $71 million to build a 90,000‑square‑foot aluminum recycling facility. The Star Tribune reports that the expansion—celebrated with a groundbreaking attended by Governor Tim Walz—will add 50 jobs and increase the plant’s recycling capacity by nearly 120 million pounds annually. Company president Luke Palen says the project will help Minnesota improve its recycling rates. The plant will use state‑of‑the‑art sorting and melting equipment to turn consumer scrap into billets and ingots used in window trim, car components, boats, docks and more. The upgrade could reduce carbon emissions by 95 % compared with producing new aluminum—great news for both jobs and the environment.
👉 Link: Rosemount aluminum recycling firm begins major expansion project & Dakota County Chamber of Commerce
People & Parenting
Pop Psychology vs. Real Psychology: Helping Kids Understand
Children’s Home Society & Lutheran Social Service (CHLSS) recently published a parent’s guide to decoding trendy psychology terms. The article notes that social media often misuses words like gaslighting, triggered and intrusive thoughts. Gaslighting isn’t merely disagreeing; it’s a pattern of emotional abuse that makes someone doubt their memory or sanity. Being “triggered” refers to a sudden resurgence of post‑traumatic stress or obsessive‑compulsive symptoms—not general discomfort. And intrusive thoughts are distressing, often taboo thoughts common in conditions like OCD. Overusing these terms can blur the line between everyday frustration and clinical issues. The takeaway: parents should ask children what they mean and offer accurate language so kids know when to seek help.
👉 Link: Pop Psychology vs. Real Psychology: A Parent’s Guide to Getting the Terms Right
Adoptee Support Group for Kids
CHLSS also announced registration for its Adoptee Support Group for kids ages 5–13. The group meets in Saint Paul from September through May on the second Saturday of each month, 9:00–10:30 a.m. Central Time. Sessions encourage adoptees to discuss diversity, culture, friendship, race, school and adoption/birth families. The eight‑session series costs $225 per child and includes a concurrent parent session; additional siblings can join for $100. Parents/caregivers can attend a support group at the same time. Registration is open now, so adoptive families should sign up soon.
👉 Link: Adoptee Support Group for Kids
Community & Safety
National Night Out: Strengthening Neighborhood Bonds
National Night Out is an annual community‑building campaign that promotes police–community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. According to NATW, the event encourages neighbors and law enforcement to work together to make communities safer and more caring. Millions of neighbors across thousands of cities participate on the first Tuesday in August, hosting block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades and other events. The campaign helps build relationships with local officers, reminding us that strong neighborhoods are built on trust and cooperation. If you missed Hastings’ festivities last week, mark your calendar for next year—you’ll meet new friends and get to climb into a squad car!
👉 Link: MN Department of Public Safety National Night Out Recap
Nature & Environment
Woodpeckers: Nature’s Home Builders
The Audubon Society calls woodpeckers “keystone species” for good reason. These master carpenters excavate tree cavities each spring and only use each hole for one season. The abandoned cavities become homes or roosts for Northern Saw-Whet Owls, wood ducks and dozens of other birds. Even mammals and swifts move into the vacated cavities, turning dead trees into “multi‑level condominiums”. Audubon encourages leaving part of a dead tree as a snag to provide habitat for wildlife. Next time you hear a woodpecker hammering away, know that it’s not just building its own house—it’s constructing a neighborhood.
👉 Link: Woodpeckers as Keystone Species & Minnesota Fish & Wildlife
Deals & Retail
Back‑to‑School Bonanza at Kid to Kid Eagan
Parents of infants and toddlers, rejoice! Kid to Kid Eagan’s weekend sale runs Aug. 8–10. The store is offering 20 bodysuits for just $10 (sizes 0–9 months), 20 % off all infant apparel in sizes 0–18 months, and 20 % off strollers and bassinets. The deal is mix‑and‑match, so families can stock up on essentials without breaking the bank. Hurry—the sale ends tomorrow! (Pro tip: #ShopLocal to support community resale stores.)
👉 Link: Kid to Kid Eagan Sale
Garlic Steak Tips at The Copperfield
Craving comfort food? The Copperfield restaurant has unveiled a limited‑time garlic steak tip special. The dish features tender steak tips bathed in garlicky goodness for $27. The offer is dine‑in only and runs from Thursday through Sunday while supplies last. It’s the perfect excuse for a date night or for fueling up after the farmers market. Come hungry and don’t forget to say hi to your server!
👉 Link: Garlic Steak Tips
Butterfly Milkweed Blooms at Sargent’s Nursery
Sargent’s Nursery reports that Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is in full bloom and looking stunning. To celebrate, they’re running a “Buy 5, Get the 6th Free” sale across a wide array of plants—perennials, grasses, shrubs, trees, fruit trees, vines, small fruits and indoor plants can be mixed and matched. The free plant must be of equal or lesser value. It’s a great opportunity to add color and pollinator plants to your garden. Drop by the nursery, enjoy the blooms and chat with fellow plant lovers.
👉 Link: Butterfly Milkweed Sale
Conclusion
Hastings is alive with activity—from roadside safety patrols and major economic investments to thoughtful parenting resources and nature’s wonders. Take advantage of kid‑friendly support groups, celebrate community at National Night Out, marvel at the ingenuity of woodpeckers, and snag some deals on baby clothes, steak dinners and pollinator plants. It’s a vibrant mix that embodies our town’s heart. For the full LOCAL 10 story and deeper coverage, head over to HastingsNow.com.
Friendly disclaimer: We strive for accuracy and community involvement. If you spot a misstatement or have a hot tip, drop us a line at HastingsNow.com/contact—our newsroom loves neighborly notes!
