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Prior Lake News Compass

Prior Lake News Compass

Informed. Engaged. Connected.

Prior Lake News Compass

Maxine Smith (left) and Kim Nikolai (right) worked on their projects while visiting with Lesley Young this past week at Club Prior.

‘Just keep moving’: Club Prior programming leader retiring

Laurie Hartmann | February 13, 2025

Lesley Young hasn’t had much time to sit still in the past eight years. She’s been busy connecting with and entertaining more than 600 area residents who have a collective age span covering more than 50 years. Young is the City of Prior Lake’s...

Scouts to host pancake breakfast on Feb. 23

Staff report | February 12, 2025

Boy Scout Troop 9339 will host a pancake breakfast and fundraiser at the Prior Lake VFW on Sunday, Feb. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Tickets are available at the door for $10; children age 4 and under are free.    

Obituary publishing update

Laurie Hartmann | February 12, 2025

The founders of the Prior Lake News Compass made a commitment to readers that obituary information pertaining to local residents will be included in our digital publication. We've received numerous emails and comments asking when that will happen....

Prior Lake in the Past: Feb. 9-12

February 12, 2025

Editor's note: The weekly "Prior Lake in the Past" column contains summary excerpts of news items published in the Prior Lake American during the same week 60, 40 and 20 years ago. We hope our readers enjoy remembering those who are mentioned from years...

First responders to be honored through VFW banner program

Staff report | February 11, 2025

Prior Lake VFW Post 6208, in collaboration with the City of Prior Lake, will be honoring active and retired first responders as part of the 2025 "Hometown Heroes" banner program. A total of 40 applications will be accepted for the program. First responder...

Climb Theatre's performance of "The Gift Cat" will be seen by Five Hawks students on Feb. 21.

Schools roundup: Theater presentations at Five Hawks to focus on recycling

Staff report | February 10, 2025

Students at Five Hawks Elementary School will see performances by Climb Theatre that focus on recycling. "The Gift Cat" will be performed for students in kindergarten through second grade. "Trash!" will be seen by students in grades three through six...

A pickup truck hit open water in Candy Cove on Feb. 2. Area residents pitched in to help the driver and his children. Submitted photo / Jeff Hanson

Candy Cove neighbors, fishermen band together to keep truck from sinking

Laurie Hartmann | February 6, 2025

Former Prior Lake resident Jeff Hanson ventured out to Prior Lake on Sunday, hoping to spend the afternoon ice fishing. He lived on the shores of Candy Cove until recently moving. He is well aware of how quickly ice conditions in the bay can change, particularly...

Prior Lake in the Past: Feb. 2-5

February 5, 2025

Editor's note: Many Prior Lake residents have told us they miss reading about people and events, including those who helped shape our community in the past. The News Compass will be publishing the "Prior Lake in the Past" column each week that will contain...

Jennifer Lein, Prior Lake, (fourth from left), is pictured with other students from the University of Tennessee learning about marketing of Super Bowl festivities. Submitted photo / Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville

PL grad learning to market the big game

Staff report | February 5, 2025

Ten students from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, including Jennifer Lein of Prior Lake, will travel to New Orleans to gain firsthand knowledge of the behind-the-scenes collaboration required to orchestrate the Super Bowl — one of the world’s...

Holly Auringer volunteers weekly at the Prior Lake Library. Laurie Hartmann / PL News Compass

Everyday Hero: Holly Auringer

Laurie Hartmann | February 4, 2025

Editor's note: The News Compass features nominated residents as Everyday Heroes in an ongoing series. To nominate someone you know in the community that goes above and beyond to make Prior Lake a better place, send us their name and the reason you are...

Full moon walk planned for Feb. 12 at Cleary Lake

Staff report | February 3, 2025

Embrace the magic of winter on a leisurely evening hike with a historical interpreter under the full moon on Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake. The February moon is known by a variety of names including...

An ATV that broke through the ice underneath the Wagon Bridge on Saturday can be seen on the right. Courtesy photo / Scott County Sheriff's Office

ATV breaks through lake ice on Saturday near Wagon Bridge

Staff report | February 3, 2025

The Scott County Sheriff's Office is asking those driving any vehicle on Prior Lake near the Wagon Bridge on Eagle Creek Avenue to use extra caution due to thin ice. Public safety officials were called to that area on Saturday when a large side-by-side...