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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Hastings, MN

Home Care Hastings, MN

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Finch Building gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Hastings, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Hastings, MN

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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“Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the”

Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”

Gloria285054

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Hastings, MN?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Senior Care Hastings, MN

Types of Elderly Care in Hastings, MN

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
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Respite Care Hastings, MN
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
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Caregivers Hastings, MN
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Old Mill Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care Hastings, MN
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Lock & Dam Eatery or visit Old Mill Ruins, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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In-Home Care Hastings, MN

Benefits of Home Care in Hastings, MN

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Hastings, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Elderly Care Hastings, MN

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your MN's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Senior Care Hastings, MN

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Hastings, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

Respite Care Hastings, MN

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Caregivers Hastings, MN

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Hastings Senior Health & Living-Apartments
  • Oak Ridge Assisted Living
  • Stepping Out Inc
  • Benedictine Living Community-Regina
  • Hastings Senior Health & Living Health Care Center
  • Henry Hagen Residence
Home Care Hastings, MN

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

In-Home Care Hastings, MN

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Hastings, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Elderly Care Hastings, MN

Latest News in Hastings, MN

Hastings to Host Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 in Partnership with United Heroes League

WARROAD, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild, along with Bally Sports North and Minnesota Hockey, today announced that Hockey Day Minnesota 2026, presented by UnitedHealthcare, will take place at United Heroes League’s outdoor rink in Hastings.“We’re incredibly excited to be selected as the host site for Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 in Hastings,” said Shane Hudella, President of United Heroes League. “We look forward to partnering with the Hastings Hockey Association and our community to suppor...

WARROAD, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild, along with Bally Sports North and Minnesota Hockey, today announced that Hockey Day Minnesota 2026, presented by UnitedHealthcare, will take place at United Heroes League’s outdoor rink in Hastings.

“We’re incredibly excited to be selected as the host site for Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 in Hastings,” said Shane Hudella, President of United Heroes League. “We look forward to partnering with the Hastings Hockey Association and our community to support and grow youth hockey and make this the best Hockey Day yet.”

United Heroes League opened a first-of-its-kind outdoor refrigerated regulation ice rink for military kids and Veterans on November 11, 2023, in rural Hastings.

“We are excited to partner with United Heroes League and Hastings for Hockey Day Minnesota 2026,” said Minnesota Wild Chief Executive Officer Matt Majka. “Hockey Day Minnesota continues to be a fantastic celebration of our great sport and we look forward to bringing the fun and excitement to Hastings in 2026.”

“Hastings is thrilled to be selected as the host for Hockey Day Minnesota 2026,” said Trent Hanson, Director of Athletics and Activities at Hastings High School. “Our community recognizes the incredible opportunity we have to host this premier event with such a storied tradition. Our boys and girls hockey programs, from youth through high school, look forward to participating in this one-of-a-kind experience.”

The festivities in Hastings will be part of a day-long television event broadcast on Bally Sports North, designed as a celebration of the game from peewees to pros. Proceeds from the 20th annual statewide hockey celebration will be used to grow the game of hockey in the Hastings community.

“We are excited to partner with the Minnesota Wild and the United Heroes League to bring the 2026 edition of Hockey Day Minnesota to the Hastings community,” said Bally Sports General Manager Randy Stephens. “We look forward to chronicling the town’s history of producing high-level teams and players, while also showcasing a spectacular new rink that is already impacting the important work done by United Heroes League with our military veterans.”

Additional details, including the dates, matchups and the official schedule for Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 at United Heroes League’s outdoor rink in Hastings will be announced at a later date. Hockey Day Minnesota 2025 will take place at Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee.

About Hockey Day Minnesota

Hockey Day Minnesota originated in 2007 by the Minnesota Wild to celebrate the game that has made Minnesota the State of Hockey. It is produced in partnership with Bally Sports North, Minnesota Hockey and the respective local community that serves as host each year. Previous locations include Baudette Bay (2007, 2008), Phalen Park (2009), Hermantown (2010), Moorhead (2011), Minnetonka (2012), Grand Rapids (2013), Elk River (2014), Saint Paul (2015), Duluth (2016), Stillwater (2017), St. Cloud (2018), Bemidji (2019), Minneapolis (2020), Guidant John Rose MN Oval (2021), Mankato (2022), White Bear (2023) and Warroad (2024). Hockey Day Minnesota 2025 will take place at Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee. For more information, visit wild.com/hockeyday.

About Bally Sports North

Bally Sports North presents more live, local sports programming than any other network or broadcast system in the market. Serving sports fans throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and North and South Dakota, the regional network produces over 250 live sporting events every year. For more regional sports content, visit www.ballysports.com and follow @BallySportsNOR on X, @BallySportsNorth on Instagram and BallySportsNorth on Facebook.

About United Heroes League

United Heroes League is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Hastings, Minnesota. The charity assists families of all branches of the military by providing free sports equipment, free youth camps, financial grants to help pay youth sports fees, special experiences, and pro sports tickets so the entire family can enjoy a night out at a game before or after deployment. For more information visit www.unitedheroesleague.org.

Minnesota dairy farmer takes Hastings Creamery to court over unpaid milk deliveries

HASTINGS, MINN. – The demise of a historic creamery that burned down this fall reached the county courthouse on Friday, with an attorney for a Minnesota dairy farmer —...

HASTINGS, MINN. – The demise of a historic creamery that burned down this fall reached the county courthouse on Friday, with an attorney for a Minnesota dairy farmer — allegedly stiffed by the creamery in its waning days — asking a judge to block a bank from cashing milk checks.

"The creamery was buying milk and not paying my client," John Giesen,attorney for Valley Acres Dairy, told Dakota County District Judge Ann Offermann.

Valley Acres Dairy, of Lewiston, Minn., filed a lawsuit in September, days after the legendary Hastings Creamery was lost in an overnight fire. The creamery had financially hobbled through the summer after the Metropolitan Council kicked the creamery off the city sanitation system for dumping raw milk into the sewer.

Court records filed by Glenwood State Bank, the creamery's creditor, suggest the creamery's ownership group, four farmers from Otter Tail County, had defaulted on millions of dollars in loans. In August, according to affidavits and court testimony on Friday from the dairy farmer, the bank cut off funds for the creamery to pay producers, causing the creamery to close.

"They didn't shut down with a lot of money in the piggy bank," Jim Lodoen, attorney for the creamery, told the court.

But missing payments to the dairy farmers, who were left without any place to sell their milk, were put in an increasingly strained financial position, Valley Acres said in affidavits.

In text messages filed to the court, Carey Tweten, owner of Valley Acres, was contacted via text message by Justin Malone, the former CEO of Hastings Creamery, asking about payment for milk deliveries.

"Did you get your checks yesterday?" Malone asked on July 6.

"No I did not," Tweten replied.

Later that day, Tweten wrote, "Not sure we have anywhere for the milk to go today[.]"

According to court records, Valley Acres Dairy started shipping milk in July to a creamery in nearby Altura.

While the plaintiff alleges Hastings Creamery owes the dairy more than $800,000 for missing payments, Friday's temporary injunction dispute centered around four checks sent to the creamery from buyers of Hastings' products. Tweten's attorney asked the judge to freeze those assets. But the bank, creamery and former creamery owners have argued against the injunction, which they call an "extraordinary" measure this early in the process.

Hastings Creamery is facing at least one more lawsuit, filed by an Altura-based dairy farmer, who argues the creamery errantly deducted $600,000 from his pay for hauling milk. In that lawsuit, as in Valley Acres' suit, the creamery's former owner, Justin Malone, argued that a down cycle in the milk market necessitated the shift in hauling fees and payment rates beginning in the spring of 2023.

Last year marked a tumultuous year for dairy producers across Minnesota and the U.S. The price of milk bottomed out and, by December, dozens of milk licenses were voluntarily rescinded.

Asked on the stand Friday about last year, Tweten said, "It wasn't a good time to be a dairy farmer."

Just a couple miles from the courthouse, the damaged creamery has yet to be fully cleaned up. John Hinzman, Hastings' community development director, said the city has had "very limited conversations" with the creamery, which was open for 110 years, since the fire occurred.

After the creamery's attorney on Friday played-out how sellers to a business might normally secure missing revenue, Judge Offermann underscored the distinction in this instance, interjecting that was the case "in a situation that the business isn't burned down."

Hastings tenants asking property management to pump the brakes on towing vehicles

This is a modal window.No compatible source was found for this media.This is a modal window.This video is currently unavailable.Hastings tenants asking property management to pump the brakes on towing vehiclesSeveral tenants of Three Rivers Mobile Home Park in Hastings are calling on property management to pump the brakes on towing vehicles.Tenants say the reason for the rise in towing is due to expired tabs. Many a...

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Hastings tenants asking property management to pump the brakes on towing vehicles

Several tenants of Three Rivers Mobile Home Park in Hastings are calling on property management to pump the brakes on towing vehicles.

Tenants say the reason for the rise in towing is due to expired tabs. Many are having to pay hundreds to get their cars back.

Ashley Perry has lived at the trailer park for four years; she showed 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS security footage taken last Saturday when a car was towed around 4 a.m. from her driveway. That car is owned by a person who was watching Perry’s kids while she was out of town.

“They had woken up and their vehicle was gone out of my driveway. So, they thought it was stolen,” said Perry.

Instead, it was towed for having expired tabs. Just a few days later, Jessica Schmidt had the same thing happen to her.

“They were 18 days expired,” said Schmidt. “So, I drive the SUV and it has all three car seats for all three kids that we have at our house.”

With no means of getting to work and transporting her kids to daycare, Schmidt had to pay about $500 to get her car back and get new tabs.

“Multiple people have experienced the same, if not worse, situations with their car,” said Schmidt.

“It’s taking money from kids’ mouths, along with their Christmas presents. And it’s just, it’s just very unsettling to me,” said Perry.

Under state statutes, vehicles cannot be towed if their tabs have expired for less than 90 days. However, the law goes on to say that private property owners can authorize the towing of a vehicle unlawfully parked on their property.

“I’m more upset with the park management because they should be protecting us,” Perry said. “I hope this doesn’t happen to anybody else. I just want it to stop.”

“You’re supposed to come together as a community and talk about this and maybe have a meeting and discuss, like what needs to change or what the proper like rules and regulations should be for towing but instead, they have completely dismissed everyone that’s had complaints.”

Both Perry and Schmidt told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they plan on moving out of the property.

The park management said in a statement: “Three Rivers’ management is committed to providing all of our residents with respectful and professional management, well-maintained communities, and attainable homeownership. We employ a towing company to ensure that shared roads and community spaces are clear of vehicles that are not properly registered or maintained, as we make clear in our leasing agreements. We provide advanced notice before taking action and our residents are aware of the steps we take to ensure their safety.”

The Attorney General’s office says residents can direct their concerns to the Tenant Report Form on their site.

$221M overhaul planned for Hastings veterans campus

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs’ Hastings campus has long provided homes and services for people who served in the military. But the outdated residential buildings on the campus — a former state hospital dating to the early 1900s — are showing their age.Six of the 20 buildings are beyond their “useful life” and deferred maintenance needs top $24 million, the department says. What’s more, security is “difficult to maintain,” a public road separates residents from services, an...

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs’ Hastings campus has long provided homes and services for people who served in the military. But the outdated residential buildings on the campus — a former state hospital dating to the early 1900s — are showing their age.

Six of the 20 buildings are beyond their “useful life” and deferred maintenance needs top $24 million, the department says. What’s more, security is “difficult to maintain,” a public road separates residents from services, and rooms are “double occupancy” with bathrooms down the hall.

The department is pushing ahead with plans for a $221.1 million project to address those and other issues on the campus, which overlooks the Vermillion River at 1200 18th St. E.

On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs issued a project-related request for design services. Proposals are due Aug. 28 and the MDVA, through the State Designer Selection Board, hopes to select a design firm in late September.

The project cost includes $194.1 million for construction and $28 million for planning. The state is covering roughly a third of the project’s cost, $77.77 million, and is seeking $144.4 million from the federal government.

The state’s share covers “predesign, design, demolition, and construction of replacement administrative and residential infrastructure,” according to the RFP.

A capital improvement study recommends demolition of five buildings. The plan is to replace those structures with one building, which will consolidate veterans housing, services and support spaces, according to a project narrative.

For 45 years, the Hastings campus has provided domiciliary care for veterans. Services include mental, chemical, and medical support for veterans who require “less than skilled levels of care,” the department says.

The MDVA’s domiciliary program serves 148 veterans.

The designer selection RFP comes about five months after media reports surfaced of a “toxic workplace” at the Hastings campus. A Pioneer Press report detailed whistleblower allegations of an environment unsafe for workers and residents.

In March, MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke told a legislative committee that the department takes the allegations seriously. In addition, Herke said the department was moving forward with a “corrective action plan” and was bringing in new leadership at the campus, among other measures.

The MDVA expects to begin construction in two years. When the project is complete in 2028, residents will have “apartment-style” private living units, a host of new amenities, and spaces linking veterans to services, according to the MDVA.

Designed to create more privacy and encourage “emotional growth” for residents, the new building will offer “a living environment for the veterans that provides stability, encourages meaning and supports their physical well-being and mental health,” the project narrative notes.

Deferred maintenance has long been a concern at the Hastings campus. A 2018 media tour revealed leaky pipes, outdated windows and other shortcomings.

A 2021 report from Wold Architects and Engineers notes that the campus was built in 1902 as a state hospital for 1,100 patients. Additional buildings were added between 1911 and 1952. In 1978, the state converted the campus to its current use.

Describing issues ranging from water infiltration and temperature control problems to a need for door and window replacements, the 756-page report concludes it would not be “a good use of funds” to upgrade and renovate the buildings.

“Significant updates are needed in every building and aspect of the campus,” the report says.

Why did the Hastings Creamery close?

HASTINGS, Minn. -- After 110 years in business, the Hastings Creamery was closed on Aug. 21 for several industrial waste violations."The ongoing release of prohibited materials is putting the wastewater treatment plant in imminent danger and could compromise the health and safety of the Hastings community," said a statement from the Metropolitan Council, the entity that voted for the establishment's closure.According to a Notice of Violation from the Met Council, the creamery had received six notices ...

HASTINGS, Minn. -- After 110 years in business, the Hastings Creamery was closed on Aug. 21 for several industrial waste violations.

"The ongoing release of prohibited materials is putting the wastewater treatment plant in imminent danger and could compromise the health and safety of the Hastings community," said a statement from the Metropolitan Council, the entity that voted for the establishment's closure.

According to a Notice of Violation from the Met Council, the creamery had received six notices of waste violations in seven months. This initially triggered the Met Council to cut off the creamery's access to the Hastings Wastewater Treatment Plant until improper waste discharge was resolved.

This meant that the creamery had to find another way to dispose of the waste their milk processing was producing. The creamery — which was owned by four small farmers — struggled to find a solution for their waste problem, despite working with multiple state agencies, and ended up closing the operation.

Justin Malone, President of Hastings Creamery, confirmed it has ceased operations, citing "no permits from Met Council and the city of Hastings," per text.

However, the impact of the closure may be more far reaching than water contamination.

The creamery worked with farmers all over Minnesota and Wisconsin, processing 150,000 pounds of raw milk everyday. The closure sent these farmers into a scramble to find another manufacturer to send their raw dairy products to for processing.

The economic impact the closure may have on Hastings has been top of mind Sen. Judy Seeberger, who represents the area.

"After being open for 110 years, it's vital to find a path forward for the Creamery to reopen and continue its service to Minnesota farmers and the community," said Seeberger. "The Hastings Creamery is an institution for our community and is essential to processing dairy products from Minnesota farmers. Its closure is not just concerning, but potentially disastrous for our dairy industry."

Later in her statement, Seeberger as said that she was "in discussion with Commissioner Thom Petersen, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Aric Putnam, and other partners in finding paths forward for the continued operation of the Creamery."

The push to bring the creamery back online may have been detoured even more after a fire broke out at the building on Wednesday night.

At one point, residents were told to take precautions as first responders were unsure if the air quality had been impacted by dangerous chemicals released due to the fire.

RELATED: As fire burns at Hastings Creamery building, residents told to take precautions

However, by approximately 6:45 a.m. on Thursday, all air qualities alerts were cleared. According to WCCO's Pauleen Le, who was at the scene Thursday morning, the area is still struggling with lingering smoke.

NOTE: The original air date for the video attached to this article is June 5, 2023.

WCCO Staff

The WCCO Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on WCCO.com.

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