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Prior Lake News Compass

Prior Lake News Compass

Informed. Engaged. Connected.

Prior Lake News Compass

City

LaunchPad Golf, operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, opened to the public on Oct. 4.

LaunchPad Golf, SMSC’s high-tech golf and entertainment venue, now open

October 8, 2025

LaunchPad Golf The Meadows opened to the public on Saturday, Oct. 4. Operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the new entertainment venue is located next to Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and will provide year-round daytime and late-night entertainment...

Prior Lake Rotary presented checks totaling nearly $142,000 to local non-profit organizations for their help in making Lakefront Music Fest a success.

PL Rotary Club awards nearly $142,000 to local non-profit organizations

October 8, 2025

Prior Lake Rotary presented checks totaling nearly $142,000 to representatives from non-profit organizations that assisted with making Lakefront Music Fest held in mid-July a success. In its 15 years of hosting, the local Rotary club has enlisted members...

Clean plastics can be dropped off near the entrance to Club Prior.

A good ‘bench’mark

October 8, 2025

Plastic bags being collected in the bins outside of Club Prior is being put to good use and the result can be found throughout the city. The Prior Lake Lions Club, in partnership with Smoke Signals and Club Prior,  continues to coordinate the collection...

Klekner hired as city’s new Finance Director

October 8, 2025

Nicole Klekner has been named the new Finance Director for the City of Prior Lake. Klekner served in an interim capacity in this role for the past five months. She joined the city in March 2022 as Assistant Finance Director prior to the retirement...

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

Free yard waste recycling offered during October at Dakota Prairie Composting

October 1, 2025

Prior Lake residents can drop off fall yard waste for free recycling services during the month of October at Dakota Prairie Composting, owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Drop-off hours through Oct. 31 are: Monday...

Use of e-bikes, dirt bikes and electric scooters has shown a dramatic increase in use during the summer months.

City outlines different laws related to driving scooters, E-bikes, dirt bikes

Staff report
September 24, 2025

Those who walk on local city streets can attest to the growing need to share roads and sidewalks with riders of scooters, E-bikes, and in some cases, even dirt bikes. Many aren't happy. The weekly police log reports residents stopping by the department...

Area residents helped during the 2024 "Buckthorn Bust."

A most important resource

September 24, 2025

The Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District invites local residents to take part in the second annual "Watershed Week," running from Sept. 28 through Oct. 4. The week-long celebration offers free opportunities to explore, volunteer and express creativity...

Prior Lake City Hall is located at 4646 Dakota Street SE.

Prior Lake City Council

September 20, 2025

Council Work Session / 6 p.m. Rep. Ben Bakeberg, post legislative session update Emerging issues Council Meeting / 7 p.m. Call to order Pledge of Allegiance Public forum Approval of agenda Approval of minutes, Sept. 9,...

Professional chalk artist Allison Severson drew many spectators as she created a work of art on Main Avenue.

Chalking it up

September 17, 2025

Downtown Prior Lake was awash with color last weekend when chalk artists descended on Main Avenue and proceeded to create fun and unique images as spectators watched. Several professional artists kicked off the event Friday night once the rain...

From left to right are Mary Lou Lannon, Ramona Hennen, Sandy Notermann and DuWayne Boudin, who page through their senior class yearbook during the Sept. 11 reunion.

Gathering of long-time friends

Laurie Hartmann
September 17, 2025

The Prior Lake VFW Club hosted a class reunion last Thursday. Festivities began early in the afternoon and ended before 3 p.m. Six members from the Prior Lake High School Class of 1959 were in attendance. In recent years, it's become an annual gathering....

The City of Prior Lake will receive additional intergovernmental aid from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community for the next two years.

City council approves amendment to intergovernmental aid agreement with SMSC

Laurie Hartmann
September 10, 2025

The Prior Lake City Council approved an amendment to the three-year intergovernmental aid agreement shared with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community that will increase the latter's contribution by $125,000 in each of the next two years. City Manager...

The Prior Lake Planning Commission meets at Prior Lake City Hall, 4646 Dakota St.

City of Prior Lake has openings on the Planning Commission

September 5, 2025

The City of Prior Lake is accepting applications from residents to serve on the Planning Commission. This is an opportunity for residents to get involved in guiding land use, zoning, development, and the long-term vision of the city. Four positions...

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