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Informed. Engaged. Connected.

Prior Lake News Compass

Prior Lake News Compass

Informed. Engaged. Connected.

Prior Lake News Compass

News

Lakefront Park is frequented by many local residents and used by various athletic and civic groups throughout the year.

Residents reject city’s $60 million referendum to improve parks and trails

Laurie Hartmann
November 5, 2025

Prior Lake voters went to the polls on Tuesday and rejected the city's $60 million referendum plan to improve local parks and trails. A total of 6,798 votes were cast, according to unofficial results from the Minnesota secretary of state’s office....

Donate to the PL News Compass before the end of 2025 and your contribution will be doubled

Donate to the PL News Compass before the end of 2025 and your contribution will be doubled

November 5, 2025

The Prior Lake News Compass is nearing its one-year milestone of returning local news to Prior Lake. Board members, volunteers and part-time staff members continue to work tirelessly to provide quality news and information that impacts our community. Now...

Dustin Smith narrowly won the Nov. 4, 2025, special election to fill a Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools board seat.

Dustin Smith wins school board race by narrow margin

November 4, 2025

Dustin Smith bested Jon Conlon by a narrow 157-vote margin to win the Tuesday special election to fill a Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools board seat. Smith, chief human resources officer at The Arc Minnesota, a nonprofit that provides resources to...

A "rubbing" of his friend's name included on the wall of the Vietnam Memorial was a treasured memento brought back from a trip to Washington, D.C. by T.J. Mannion.

Honoring those who served

Laurie Hartmann
October 29, 2025

As a former commercial pilot, Prior Lake resident Tim “T.J." Mannion flew in and out of Washington, D.C., many times. On Oct. 6, he again headed to the nation's capital for a one-day trip of a lifetime. Mannion and his daughter, Leslie Hagen,...

The Prior Lake Police Department is located on Dakota Street.

Prior Lake man arrested for threatening scooter riders with gun released on bond

Seth A. Richardson
October 29, 2025

Scott County prosecutors charged a Prior Lake man with two weapons charges Monday after threatening three people for being noisy while riding an electric scooter, according to court documents. Prosecutors said Trent Fuller Olson, 33, pointed a gun...

The Prior Lake Police Department is located on Dakota Street.

Incident ends peacefully after man points gun at people in local apartment complex parking lot

October 25, 2025

Prior Lake Police responded to a call during the evening hours of Friday, Oct. 24, at the Water Tower Place Condos located on the 4600 block of Tower Street S.E. regarding a man reported to be pointing a long gun at people in the parking lot. According...

Prosecutors charge Prior Lake med spa owner for using ‘black market’ Botox

Prosecutors charge Prior Lake med spa owner for using ‘black market’ Botox

Seth A. Richardson
October 22, 2025

Scott County prosecutors charged a Prior Lake medical spa owner with unlawfully practicing medicine for injecting clients with “black market” Botox. The criminal complaint filed Sept. 19 alleges Nancy Anderberg, owner of RegenLIFE Antiaging Spatique...

Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar and Jessica Bartholomew, executive director for A.C.T. United will lead the discussion on child sextortion being held at Prior Lake High School on Oct. 23.

Task force is the first in the south metro to combat exploitation crimes against children

Laurie Hartmann
October 15, 2025

Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar is teaming with a statewide anti-child trafficking organization and local law enforcement agencies to form the south metro area's first task force focusing on child sexual exploitation. Hocevar's office has joined...

Lakeside Big Band will be the featured entertainment during the PL News Compass community event.

Ready for Year #2

October 15, 2025

It was a year ago that the volunteer board of the Prior Lake News Compass announced local news was being brought back to the community. Close to 100 residents showed up at Shepherd of the Lake Church to learn more about us. Most were not familiar with...

The FISH board of directors include, back row from left to right: Tom Christie, Sherriff Luke Hennen,  Commissioner Jon Ulrich and Adam Johnson; front row, left to right, Suzanne Arntson, Jane Wiley, Bailey Shanley, Terry Hassan and Jake Johnston. Not pictured: Commissioner Dave Beer and Sarah Gavert.

Fishing for people

Laurie Hartmann
October 15, 2025

In the past decade, Bethany Tjornhom has seen the full spectrum of people in need, and on the flip side, the willingness of people who want no recognition for stepping forward to help. Tjornhom is the executive director of Families and Individuals...

Cindy and Bob Boegeman recently opened downtown Prior Lake's newest bar and restaurant.

Garage door is open

Laurie Hartmann
October 8, 2025

For Bob and Cindy Boegeman, 2025 has been a busy year, due in large part to a wish that was fulfilled after waiting nearly a decade. The owner of the old car repair business located on Main Avenue finally agreed it was time to close up shop and sold...

Investigation continues in death of child at childcare center

October 1, 2025

The Savage Police Department issued an update on Sept. 25 regarding its investigation into the death of an infant that occurred at the Rocking Horse Ranch childcare facility on Sept. 22. Local officers attended the autopsy, but the press release stated...