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Prior Lake News Compass

Prior Lake News Compass

Informed. Engaged. Connected.

Prior Lake News Compass

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The video board at Dan Patch Stadium honors the PLHS Class of 2025. Jill Kufrin / PL News Compass

PHOTOS: The PLHS Class of 2025 has their day in the sun

Staff report
June 7, 2025

The Class of 2025 has finished its journey through high school, with nothing but promise and potential awaiting them. Prior Lake High School graduated nearly 700 students on Thursday at Dan Patch Stadium, with another 56 seniors graduating from Bridges...

Brian Nutter (left), assistant principal and leader of the MnCAPS program at Prior Lake High School, visited with students Danea Dahlberg and Sean Souriya, participants in the construction trades pathway during the 2024-25 school year. Laurie Hartmann / PL News Compass

Curriculum puts students ahead of the pack

Laurie Hartmann
June 5, 2025

Hundreds of Prior Lake High School students will be well ahead of their peers in planning their future following graduation. Not only have they had the opportunity to experience hands-on learning about different career paths they may wish to pursue as...

Bob Miller was supported by many family members during this year's Walk MS Twin Cities. Submitted photo / Bob Hosker

A positive outlook for advocate

Laurie Hartmann
May 28, 2025

Prior Lake resident Bob Miller has vivid recollections of one day back in 2004. It was the 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Mary. On that day he received confirmation from his neurologist that he had multiple sclerosis. "It was scary," he recalls....

The Prior Lake VFW Honor Guard's salute ended Monday's ceremony.

Memorial Day 2025

Jill Kufrin and Laurie Hartmann
May 27, 2025

Hundreds showed up on a picture-perfect morning for Prior Lake's observance of Memorial Day. Local residents lined 160th Street on Monday for the parade that traveled between the two Prior Lake middle schools and Memorial Park. There, the hour-long...

WestWood Elementary School. Laurie Hartmann / PL News Compass

PLSAS proposing to close WestWood Elementary in 2026-27

Robb Jeffries
May 12, 2025

In a letter to staff and families in the district, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools superintendent Michael Thomas laid out a series of building closures designed to balance the district's budget amid rising costs and a failed levy vote. WestWood Elementary,...

Public Works Director Nick Monserud says the department has many tenured employees who know their job well. (Laurie Hartmann / PL News Compass)

Behind the scenes with Public Works

Laurie Hartmann
May 7, 2025

Most Prior Lake residents would agree that living in a community with a large lake is a huge amenity. Few, however, may know what it takes to keep the rest of the city a desirable place to live based on roads, parks, basic city services and assurances...

A PLPD vehicle. Jill Kufrin / PL News Compass

Charges: Son killed mother in PL home, then assaulted woman in Burnsville

Robb Jeffries
April 30, 2025

A man accused of killing his mother in their Prior Lake home last week is being held for allegedly breaking into a Burnsville home and groping a woman a day later, according to court documents. Diana L. Kaiser, 67, was found dead by Prior Lake Police...

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...

Matt Arends has been putting in long days readying Spring Lake Farm for this year's busy season.

From farm to table, PL native returns to roots

Laurie Hartmann
April 9, 2025

Matt Arends is an environmentalist and entrepreneur, but he is best known for taking a small garden plot of land and within a short time, turning it into a thriving business committed to organic growing practices. Arends operates Spring Lake Farm located...

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...

Mayor Kirt Briggs and City Manager Jason Wedel outlined major projects from 2024 and what's to come this year. Laurie Hartmann / PL News Compass

City recaps major 2024 projects, what’s in store for this year

Laurie Hartmann
March 26, 2025

Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce members learned at its monthly luncheon held March 19 about major projects that have commanded the city's focus in the past year, along with what is planned in the near future. Mayor Kirt Briggs and City Manager Jason...

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools superintendent Michael Thomas explains the next steps for the district's budget process at a town hall meeting at Prior Lake High School on Jan. 29, 2025. Robb Jeffries / PL News Compass

School board reaches consensus on $4.1 million in budget cuts

Robb Jeffries
February 28, 2025

When a bond measure in 2024 to raise funds for the district failed, leaders within the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools district set forth on the difficult task of finding budget cuts to keep the district on track. After months of deliberation and with...

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