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Prior Lake News Compass

Prior Lake News Compass

Informed. Engaged. Connected.

Prior Lake News Compass

News

Affidavits of candidacy must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Aug. 12.

PLSAS to hold special election

July 16, 2025

Persons living in the Prior Lake-Savage Area School District who are interested in serving on the board can file an affidavit of candidacy beginning July 29. A special election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4. One person will be elected to fill the...

SMSC Chairman Cole Miller exchanges his community's flag with Dave Beer, chair of the Scott County Board.

Flag exchange ceremony affirms shared commitment between SMSC, county

July 9, 2025

Leaders from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), Scott County, and the state of Minnesota gathered at the Scott County Government Center recently to exchange flags in a ceremony celebrating mutual respect, cultural recognition, and unity. The...

Construction crews fed the liner down a manhole and into the existing pipe during the maintenance project that was completed in mid-May. (Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District)

PLSL Watershed District completes repairs on outlet channel pipelining

Staff report
July 9, 2025

The Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District recently completed a major maintenance project on the Prior Lake Outlet Channel. The pipelining project may not look like much from the outside, but it has doubled the lifespan of the only outlet for Prior...

Addy Shepard 's mother said her daughter brought joy wherever she went.

Remembering Addy

Laurie Hartmann
July 2, 2025

Dave and Angie Shepard, along with their son, Jaxson, have known this week would be exceptionally difficult. On July 1, it was a year ago that their daughter and twin to Jaxson lost her short battle with leukemia. Addy, their spunky nine-year-old,...

On the November ballot

Staff report
July 2, 2025

The Prior Lake City Council unanimously approved during its June 24 meeting a plan to present voters with a $60 million bond referendum. If passed, the proposal will help fund improvements across the city's park and trail system, including enhanced lakefront...

SMSC opened its new organic recycling facility in Louisville Township earlier this month. (Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community)

SMSC opens new state-of-the-art organics recycling facility

July 2, 2025

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) celebrated the grand opening of its new organics recycling facility, Dakota Prairie Composting, in Louisville Township on June 24. Dakota Prairie Composting is one of only two large-scale composting facilities...

Manny Perez, long-time restaurateur, shared his vision for Chula's with those attended the project's groundbreaking earlier this month. (Photos by Adam's Travel Photography)

In with the new

Laurie Hartmann
June 25, 2025

The former T-Shirts and More building no long exists. New utility connections have been installed,  foundation footings have been poured and within the next week or so Prior Lake residents will start seeing the construction beginnings of Chula's, a new...

Girls on the Run organization receives large grant from SMSC

June 25, 2025

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community announced its partnership with Girls on the Run Minnesota to support the creation of teams within the state's Native American communities and provide adult coaches with culturally appropriate curriculum and training. Through...

The annual July 4th boat parade on Prior Lake is a holiday favorite. (Prior Lake Association)

Everybody loves a parade!

Staff report
June 25, 2025

The Prior Lake Association and Knotty Oar Marina will again sponsor the city's annual boat parade on July 4. The parade of decorated boats will depart at 1 p.m. that day in front of Charlie's on Prior with judges stationed in the no-wake channel near...

Motorcyclist killed in Belle Plaine Township crash

Staff reports
June 25, 2025

The Scott County Sheriff’s 911 Dispatch Center received a report of a two-vehicle crash on Union Hill Blvd and 235th Street West in Belle Plaine Township at 8:47 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24. The preliminary investigation indicated that a 2016 Harley...

A new boating law that changes operator permit requirements will go into effect July 1. (PLNC / Laurie Hartmann)

New state boater permit law goes into effect July 1

June 24, 2025

Starting on July 1, 2025, a new law will require some adults and youth who operate motorboats—including personal watercraft—to have a valid watercraft operator's permit, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. People who already...

Credit River man injured after being pinned under overturned tractor

Credit River man injured after being pinned under overturned tractor

Staff report
June 24, 2025

The Scott County Sheriff's Department responded to a 911 call shortly before noon on Sunday, June 22,  involving an unresponsive 30-year-old Credit River man who was pinned under an overturned tractor. The incident occurred on the 21000 block of Vernon...