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Prior Lake News Compass
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
We are grateful.
As we close this final edition of the Prior Lake News Compass for 2025, we extend our thanks to our readers, volunteers, advertisers and financial supporters who have helped us complete our first full year of providing local news for our community.
From the beginning, we have said the PLNC will serve Prior Lake residents by bringing them news and information that is factual, unbiased and offered free of charge. We now have a strong following of nearly 3,000 engaged readers who rely on that commitment each and every week.
Many readers have contributed toward the success of our recent fundraising campaign to cover next year's expenses. We greatly appreciate their support in helping us continue our mission.
Prior Lake is a great community filled with engaged residents who volunteer and are concerned about their neighbors. Many have told us they share our belief that local news plays an important role in keeping us connected and informed about issues that impact us now and in the future.
We'll be back to our regular publishing schedule next Thursday. On behalf of our small but mighty group of volunteers, we extend our best wishes in the New Year!
With that, let’s take a look at our 10 most read stories from 2025.
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Weather wonderland
A winter storm blanketed Minnesota on Dec. 28, including dropping more than 6 inches overnight in Prior Lake. The storm was so thick, snow plows were pulled in some parts of the state and Gov. Tim Walz mobilized the National Guard to help with the response. James Kretman, Austin Lueck, Sullivan Brandell, Josephine Kretman and Harper Lueck took advantage of ideal sledding conditions at Willows Park on Tuesday, following the blizzard conditions that blanketed Prior Lake the previous weekend.
Our most read stories of 2025
 | No. 10: District officials explain choice of WestWood as school to closePrior Lake-Savage Area Schools continued dealing with its budget crunch, including closing WestWood Elementary as a neighborhood school. |
No. 9: Savage police investigating worker from Rocking Horse Ranch Childcare in September death of infant
Police continued the investigation into the September death of an 11-month-old boy at the Savage daycare. Court documents also revealed two prior incidents of another infant girl with similar health issues -- including the same day the 11-month-old boy died.
No. 8: ‘Lights on Mushtown’ back with massive holiday display of 60,000 lights, synchronized music
The story of Bryan Brandau's dazzling Christmas light display started in 2019 when he ordered the technical equipment and 10,000 lights. This year, the display grew to 60,000 lights and takes around eight weeks to set up for the holiday season.
No. 7: City recaps major 2024 projects, what’s in store for this year
Mayor Kirt Briggs' and city manager Jason Wedel's "State of the City" information session in March laid out the landscape for 2025.
 | No. 6: Comida buena at Chula’s restaurant in 2026Restaurateur Manny Perez announced he would expand into downtown Prior Lake with the opening of Chula's in spring 2026. The restaurant on Colorado Street will feature hand-crafted cocktails and Mexican-Latin dishes made from scratch |
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
The police log for this week is postponed due to the holidays. We will be back with an extended police log in next week’s edition. You can read previous police logs at the link below.
No. 5: Prior Lake resident killed in Credit River crash
A two-vehicle crash on President's Day resulted in the death of a 54-year-old woman in Credit River.
No. 4: Board candidates share views on key schools issues
The Prior Lake News Compass sent surveys to PLSAS board candidates Dustin Smith and Jon Conlon. Their answers in the competitive race were two of the top stories for the year.
No. 3: Charges: Son killed mother in PL home, then assaulted woman in Burnsville
Prosecutors charged Aaron Matthew Schlossin for the April murder of his mother in Prior Lake just days after he was arrested in Burnsville for criminal sexual conduct and burglary.
 | No. 2: Dustin Smith wins school board race by narrow marginDustin Smith prevailed in a competitive school board race by a narrow 157-vote margin in the November special election. Smith, chief human resources officer at The Arc Minnesota, filled the seat left vacant by former board member Enrique Velazquez's 2024 resignation. |
 | No. 1: Garage door is openThe opening of YT's Garage Sports Bar in downtown Prior Lake was the most read of 2025. The bar, located in the former Dingman's Auto Body, was opened by Bob and Cindy Boegeman, who still own and operate Village Liquor in Priordale Mall. |
Featured Event
 | Jan. 1-3 | Tradition Holiday Invitation - Dakotah! Ice Center |
Events
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. 2 | Nighttime snowshoeing - Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve
Explore winter sights and sounds while snowshoeing under the full moon with recreation school instructors. Equipment will be provided and reservations are required for the event ages 8 and up. There is a fee for participation. A hike will be offered if there is no snow.
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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