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Prior Lake News Compass
Thursday, December 18, 2025
The Prior Lake News Compass has felt the love of the community during the giving season. We are still working toward our goal of raising $100,000 by the new year. Tax-deductible donations of up to $1,000 can be matched through the end of December. Please help us keep bringing you local, fact-based news in the coming year.
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Top Story
School crossing guard Dave Bellis was cheered on Dec. 12 by a roomful of students and parents.
'Everybody knows Dave’: Beloved school crossing guard honored at surprise event planned by parents
Dave Bellis is probably the most recognized staff member for students attending Hidden Oaks Middle School and Twin Oaks Middle School.
The buildings are located across the street from each other on Fish Point Road, one of the busiest side streets in Prior Lake. Hundreds of students travel between the buildings throughout the day to attend classes and eventually catch their bus to go home.
And Bellis, the school district's middle school crossing guard and longtime campus supervisor, is always there to make certain the hundreds of students with whom he interacts each day stay safe.
News
 | It’s a boy!: Prior Lake firefighters assist mother in delivery of babyNov. 14 proved to be a memorable afternoon for Prior Lake firefighters Paul Yttreness and Spencer Smith, who were on duty when a call came in to help Molly Clark, a pregnant woman who had gone into labor at home. Not long after, they helped deliver a healthy baby boy weighing 9 pounds, 11 ounces. |
Hocevar receives MN County Attorneys Association public service award
Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar was presented with the Minnesota County Attorneys Association Public Service Award at its annual meeting Dec. 3.
City
Prior Lake Lions Club announces local Peace Poster contest winners
The Prior Lake Lions Club has announced local winners of its Peace Poster contest. This year's theme was "Together As One." Students attending Twin Oaks Middle School, Hidden Oaks Middle School, Aspen Academy and St. Michael Catholic School were invited to participate.
Schools
 | PLSAS kindergarten enrollment open through Jan. 6Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools kindergarten enrollment for the 2026-27 school year is now open. The district encouraged families to enroll between now and the Jan. 9, 2026, deadline. Early enrollment helps the district plan for needs in each classroom. |
Prior Lake-Savage Optimist Club seeks student essay contest entries
Students within the Prior Lake-Savage Area School District are invited to participate in an essay contest sponsored by the Prior Lake-Savage Optimist Club. This year’s topic is: “How my acts of service help me understand what my community means to me.”
NewsMatch
John Parrish: ’The Prior Lake News Compass has brought back local news for our community.’
 John Parrish, longtime owner and operator of Viking Liquor | “We never knew how much we would miss our local newspaper until it was gone. The Prior Lake News Compass has brought back local news for our community. It's important we support it now and in the future.” |
The Prior Lake News Compass is a nonprofit dedicated to providing high-quality journalism to the Prior Lake community. Longtime Viking Liquor owner and operator John Parrish said supporting the News Compass in its mission to bring back local news is imperative.
Through December, we have a unique opportunity to receive national matching funds through organizations that support local news efforts. Individual donations of up to $1,000 will be matched for a total of up to $15,000, and additional matching opportunities are available for community news operations such as ours.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation, large or small, by Dec. 31, 2025 and your contribution will be doubled.
Prior Lake in the Past
This weekly 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 past, and this feature provides historical perspective about how much the community has changed over the decades.
Prior Lake Police Log: Dec. 2-9, 2025
This weekly report is based on information submitted by the Prior Lake Police Department for responses. All calls for service may not be included; all subjects arrested and named are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Obituaries
Sports
 | Prior Lake cheerleaders earn two first place finishes at U of M cheer competitionPrior Lake varsity cheerleading earned Grand Champions honors for both their routines Dec. 13 at the University of Minnesota Cheer Championship competition at the Maturi Pavilion, earning the highest scores across all divisions in the competition. |
 | Prior Lake boys hockey splits challenging week at Dakotah! Ice ArenaThe Prior Lake boys hockey team navigated a demanding two-game week at Dakotah! Ice Arena, opening with its first loss of the season before responding with a tie against a tough conference opponent. |
 | Prior Lake girls hockey battles tough week ahead of Girls Hockey DayThe Prior Lake girls hockey team dropped both games last week against a pair of strong opponents but will look ahead to a busy and celebratory weekend at Dakotah! Ice Center with Girls Hockey Day coming up on Dec. 20. |
Events
Dec. 21 | Winter solstice celebration - Cleary Lake Regional Park
Spend time outdoors enjoying the longest evening of the year. Attendees to the free event can sit around a campfire with tea, hot cocoa and roasted marshmallows, and then usher in the peace of a winter evening by walking a candle-lit labyrinth.
Dec. 31 | “Noon” Year’s Eve - Club Prior
Ring in the new year a little early by attending the City of Prior Lake's 'Noon' Year's Eve Party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Festivities will include bingo, crafts and a dance party, followed by a balloon drop at noon. All ages are welcome to the free event, which is capped at 250 attendees.
Jan. 4 | Baseball pancake fundraiser - Prior Lake VFW
A pancake breakfast fundraiser supporting the Prior Lake Thunder and Prior Lake Northstars baseball teams will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Proceeds will help the teams with costs toward competing at the Cal Ripken Baseball Experience from Aug. 2-7 in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
In Case You Missed It
Top clicked stories from last week
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