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Informed. Engaged. Connected.

Prior Lake News Compass

Prior Lake News Compass

Informed. Engaged. Connected.

Prior Lake News Compass

Cleary Lake site of winter wellness walk on March 12. Courtesy image / Three Rivers Park District

Go for a March wellness walk at Cleary Lake Park

Staff report
March 5, 2025

Surround yourself with green during the week of St. Patrick's Day when you go for an evergreen wellness walk at Cleary Lake Park. The walk is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Participants will find, identify and smell different...

Winter storm warning posted for Prior Lake, metro area

Staff reports
March 4, 2025

The National Weather Service has posted a winter storm warning for the Twin Cities area, including Prior Lake, starting Tuesday, March 4, and continuing into Wednesday. Rain is expected to turn to snow across southern Minnesota and all of the metro...

Deacon James L. Thornton, Jr.

Obituary: Deacon James L. Thornton, Jr.

February 27, 2025

Deacon James L. Thornton, age 95, of Shakopee, Minn., passed away on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minn. With hearts of gratitude for a life richly lived, we bid farewell to James Leo Thornton, Jr. of Shakopee, Minn. A beacon of faith...

The music of Torres-Pena will be featured at the Prior Lake Library on March 12. Submitted photo

Torres-Pena to share music of Mexico during upcoming ‘Live’ series at library

February 26, 2025

The Torres-Pena musical group will share the traditional music of Mexico as part of the "Wednesday Night Live" series that continues on March 12. Pedro Torres and Donna Peña play traditional music of Mexico. Torres is from Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas,...

Members of the Shooting Stars team competing earlier this month were, from left to right, Kip Kruggel, Luke Gudmundson, Dominik Fortin, Elnur Yemar and Hunter DeLarosby. Not pictured is Alex Gouchenaur.

Local team building a future in robotics

Staff report
February 26, 2025

The Shooting Stars Robotics team was among the top finishers in the First Lego League Challenge held in mid-February. The Feb. 16 event at Burnsville High School focused on science, technology, engineering and math, all part of STEM core initiatives....

Prior Lake in the Past: Feb. 23-28

February 26, 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...

A ribbon cutting celebrating the purchase of a building that will be home to Spot's Last Stop Canine Rescue was held last week. Submitted photo / Darcy Rose

Definitely pet friendly

Laurie Hartmann
February 26, 2025

A new business will have Prior Lake going to the dogs. Spot's Last Stop, a canine rescue center, will open in Prior Lake later this fall, fulfilling a longtime dream of Casey and Grant Adams. The couple submitted an application for funding more...

Cleary Lake Park to host nature treasure walk March 5

Cleary Lake Park to host nature treasure walk March 5

February 26, 2025

Cleary Lake Regional Park will host a "Golden Treasure Nature Quest" on Wednesday, March 5, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Participants will search for gold (pinecones) and green (evergreens) during the family-friendly walk through the forest. Each golden pinecone...

City of Prior Lake Notice

City of Prior Lake Notice

February 26, 2025

CITY OF PRIOR LAKE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PRIOR LAKE POLICE DRONE POLICY Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Prior Lake will hold a Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in the Council Chambers, 4646 Dakota...

Lakefront Park will be site of star gazing program led by Mike Lynch on March 22.

Stargazing event coming to Lakefront Park

Staff report
February 26, 2025

Join local meteorologist Mike Lynch on Saturday, March 22, to watch a great celestial show in the skies over Lakefront Park. Attendees will learn about constellations such as Big Bear, Orion the Hunter, Gemini and Twins, along with some of the great...

The Sunshine Social Club has been established to help young adults with intellectual and developmental needs. Organizers include, from left to right, Sarah Less, Leslie Hagen, Sara Ford and Darcy Brugger. Not pictured are Carrie Boegeman and Staci Herold. Laurie Hartmann / PL News Compass

Everyday Heroes: Filling a community need

Laurie Hartmann
February 20, 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...

Prior Lake in the Past: Feb. 16-22

February 19, 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...