Community Corner
🌱 See where Hastings police responded during a busy September weekend.
You won't want to miss Tree Jamboree Field Trip on the Hastings Patch calendar

Hello Hastings! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️
Hosting an event in Hastings? Let Patch get the word out for you. Post it to the Patch calendar.
In today's newsletter:
- See where Hastings police responded during a busy September weekend.
- What Hastings' new $23M auto training center means for local jobs
- What Hastings' newly approved $237 million city budget means for you.
Also on today's calendar: History on Foot: Germans from Russia (East Side) and 8 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a one-legged Big Foot? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Tuesday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 72 and low of 64 degrees.
- Wednesday: Humid with rain, some heavy, temps: high: 69, low: 58.
- Thursday: Rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 62 and low of 44 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Hastings Police Department's activity from Sept. 24-27 (kgfw.com) — Hastings police logged a busy Sept. 24–27, with multiple theft, fraud, and hit-and-run reports across town, plus several drug and alcohol-related arrests. Incidents ranged from controlled substance possession on Highway 281 to DUI and juvenile alcohol citations on neighborhood streets, offering residents a clear snapshot of recent enforcement activity in their community.
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2. Central Community College opens new automotive careers training center (aftermarketmatters.com) — Hastings residents now have a new $23 million Automotive Careers Training Center at Central Community College-Hastings, bringing expanded auto body and automotive technology programs to town. Local leaders say the 42,000-square-foot facility will help train technicians, managers, and future business owners who are likely to stay in the region and strengthen the area's workforce for years to come.
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3. Hastings City Council gives final approval to 2026-2027 budget (ksnblocal4.com) — Hastings' new 2026-2027 city budget is now officially approved, locking in more than $237 million in spending and confirming the property tax request that will fund local services. After weeks of debate over levies and deficits, the council passed the plan 5-3-1, allowing the city to meet state filing deadlines and start the new fiscal year October 1.
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4. University of Nebraska-Lincoln receives $5M grant to expand college access programs (wowt.com) — A major federal grant to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln will expand its Talent Search college-access program into Hastings schools, doubling the number of Nebraska students served. Local middle and high schoolers from low-income and first-generation families will gain academic support, career exploration, and college-planning help over the next five years, potentially opening more doors to higher education for Hastings families.
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📸 Around Hastings
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Hastings
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Tree Jamboree Field Trip →
Hastings Museum, P.O. Box 1286, Hastings
9:30 am
Thursday October 1
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- LO Recess Night
Longfellow Elementary School Hastings, NE 68901
5:30 pm - History on Foot: Germans from Russia (East Side) →
South and Minnesota, southwest corner, Hastings
5:30 pm - Hastings Area Men of Promise Christian Men's Conference in Hastings →
Lakeside Community Church, 700 W 22nd St, Hastings
7:00 pm - 2026 Race 10/10 →
Motorsport Park Hastings, 427 South Showboat Boulevard, Hastings
1:30 pm - History on Foot: Germans from Russia (East Side) →
South and Minnesota, southwest corner, Hastings
2:00 pm - LO-Restaurant Night-Taco John's
Longfellow Elementary School, 729 S Burlington Ave, Hastings
5:00 pm - HA Walk to School
Hawthorne Elementary School Hastings, NE 68901
7:40 am - Three Rivers NE Chapter Banquet →
Hastings City Auditorium, 400 N. Hastings Avenue, Hastings - Credit reports Small Business and Personal →
620 West 2nd Street, Hastings
5:30 pm - Spook-Tober →
Hastings NE
Friday October 2
Sunday October 4
Monday October 5
Wednesday October 7
Thursday October 8
Saturday October 10
📣 Hastings Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- JH Volleyball vs Northwest (C/B/A)
Wood River Rural Schools, 2710 North Rd, Grand Island
4:30 pm
Tuesday September 29
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Dunkin' posted a job opening for Dunkin Shift Manager in Hastings. Apply here.
- KFC posted a job opening for Food Service Team Member in Hastings. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hastings here.
Ok Hastings! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Hop Squatch! (Thank you Terri R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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