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Prior Lake News Compass

Prior Lake News Compass

Informed. Engaged. Connected.

Prior Lake News Compass

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Prior Lake in the Past: May 18-24

May 20, 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...

Prior Lake resident Pat Klein (right) receives a blessing in 2015 from Bishop Robert Prevost, who was named Pope Leo XIV earlier this month. Submitted photo

Blessing from Pope Leo

Laurie Hartmann
May 15, 2025

Little did Prior Lake resident Pat Klein know nearly a decade ago that he was being blessed by the future leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. In 2015, Klein and several others affiliated with the "Friends of Chimbote" nonprofit organization that...

Prior Lake in the Past: May 11 – 17

Staff report
May 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...

More than 200 people showed up for the "Miles of Strength" fundraiser supporting families of children fighting leukemia. (Submitted photo)

‘Miles of Strength’ fundraiser raises $4k for children’s leukemia

Staff report
May 7, 2025

The "Miles of Strength" 5K fundraiser held on April 26 raised more than $4,000 with 208 runners participating in the event. Funds were raised in honor of Adalyn Shepard, who passed away shortly after being diagnosed with leukemia last summer. The...

Prior Lake in the Past: May 4-10

Staff report
May 6, 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...

Prior Lake in the Past: April 27 – May 3

Staff report
April 29, 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...

Jim Skinner Sr., Kit Simpkins Cates, along with Mabel, Nell, Alice and William Simkins Sr., are pictured processing maple syrup south of Prior Lake in 1914. (Photograph from the archives of Kathy Dawson)

Prior Lake in the Past: April 19-26

April 23, 2025

Editor's note: In addition to our typical dive into the Prior Lake American's archives for this week's news from 60, 40 and 20 years ago, we introduce a new occasional column from longtime resident Kathy Dawson, an avid collector of Prior Lake's historical...

Prior Lake in the Past: April 12-18

April 16, 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...

Quinn Anderson, Emerson Bauv and Addison Vidas participated in a "bunny yoga" class at the Prior Lake Library. Laurie Hartmann / PL News Compass

Working out with furry friends

Staff report
April 16, 2025

Some attendees participating in the yoga class held at Club Prior last Saturday, April 12, may have found it difficult to concentrate on doing a downward facing dog or warrior pose due to class visitors that were small, furry and jumped around —...

Former Laker basketball star on team UConn

Former Laker basketball star on team UConn

Laurie Hartmann
April 16, 2025

Former Prior Lake High School basketball coach Mike Gidley had his eye on a spunky second-grader who would be on the floor shooting hoops just for fun during breaks in a game. He knew then that McKenna Hofschild had what it took to be a fantastic hoopster...

Prior Lake in the Past: April 5-11

Staff report
April 8, 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...

Drew Hennen is flanked by his sister and mother following his race in Turin, Italy. Submitted photo / Hennen family

Prior Lake man exudes Olympic spirit

Laurie Hartmann
April 2, 2025

To say that Drew Hennen excels at sports would be an understatement. He is, in fact, a Special Olympic competitor and silver medalist. Hennen competed in the Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Turin, Italy in March. The 20-year-old local resident...