- Prior Lake News Compass
- Posts
- Prior Lake News Compass
Prior Lake News Compass
Thursday, February 5 2026
If you’re looking for opportunities to meet new friends and learn more about community, become a volunteer with the Prior Lake News Compass. We’re looking for local residents to help us with writing, photography and marketing. Contact us at: [email protected]
Send your story ideas to:
[email protected]
Top Story
PL Police Department honors two for going above and beyond in fulfilling duties
The Prior Lake Police Department honored two of its employees during the Jan. 27 city council meeting.
Amanda Ley was presented with the "Officer of the Year" Award by Police Chief Liam Duggan. Of particular note, he said, was her work in getting impaired drivers off the road. Of the 105 arrests made involving people who were driving while under the influence 2025, Ley was responsible for 52 of the total.
Ley became a member of the department in March of 2020.
Heidi Burton was named "Support Services Employee of the Year" having served in that role since February of 2023.
News
 | Credit River woman found guilty of murdering boyfriend in 2024A Scott County jury found Jennifer Lynn Lieber guilty of second degree intentional murder on Friday, Jan. 30. Lieber, 47, was charged with killing her boyfriend, David Joseph Nanovic, 45, inside of her Credit River home on March 3, 2024. |
We’re looking to hire editor, volunteers needed
The Prior Lake News Compass has an opening for an experienced part-time editor for our growing digital platform devoted to delivering accurate local news and information about our community.
Do you have writing, photography skills or marketing skills? Volunteers are also needed to help the PL News Compass in those areas. Let us know if you're willing to help and we'll find assignments that fit into your schedule.
Send us a note on how you would like to help along with your contact information: [email protected]
City
Fire, police stats for 2025 reviewed at PL City Council meeting
Local public safety officials summarized fire and police activity for 2025 when appearing before the Prior Lake City Council on Jan. 27. DWI arrests up over previous year. Calls handled by PL Fire Department up by 14% over 2024 numbers.
Schools
 | PLHS theater students take second place at section finalsThe Owl Creek cast and crew went on to perform and compete on Jan. 24 at conference sub-sections. Taking third place, the cast and crew then went on to section finals on Jan. 31, finishing in second place. |
Town hall meetings to outline PLSAS financials, referendum options
Dr. Michael Thomas, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools superintendent, will lead three town hall meetings in February to discuss the district's future financial forecast and options to address projected shortfalls, including a fall referendum. Three sessions will be held in the coming weeks.
Prior Lake in the Past
This weekly column contains summary excerpts of news items published in the Prior Lake American decades 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: Jan. 20-27, 2026
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 closes regular season with a 5–3 home win; playoffs on deckPrior Lake wrapped up its regular season Saturday, Jan. 31, with a 5–3 Senior Night victory over Rosemount at Dakotah! Ice Center, closing the schedule on a positive note heading into Section 2AA play. |
 | Laker boys' hockey team tested by ranked, conference opponentsPrior Lake faced a demanding stretch last week, losing all three games against strong opponents as the season continued to move toward the postseason. |
Photo of the Week
 | Snowshoeing by moonlightPrior Lake resident Jill Kufrin and 10 other brave and bundled-up snowshoers signed up for the full moon snowshoe hike at Cleary Lake Regional Park, led by Alli Adrian, a naturalist with Three Rivers Parks District on Feb. 2. She reports it was a delightful event. |
Events
 | EVENT SPOTLIGHT/ 'SteamHeat' to play swing band favorites at VFWThe husband and wife team of Ted Sammis and Lynnda Nelson met in 1974, fell in love and have been making beautiful music since. They started the swing band, "SteamHeat," known for playing music spanning the decades from 1920 through 1940. The group will play at the Prior Lake VFW on Feb. 15. |
Feb. 9-11 | Auditions, Shrek the Musical - Twin Oaks Middle School
Prior Lake Players Community Theater will bring "Shrek the Musical" to the stage in April, and cast auditions are scheduled for Feb. 9, 10 and 11 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Twin Oaks Middle School (TOMS), 15860 Fish Point Rd., Prior Lake.
Feb. 11 | Duniya Drum & Dance / Wednesday Night Live! - Club Prior
Duniya Drum and Dance will share traditional rhythms and dances from Guinea West Africa during the next "Wednesday Night Live!" program scheduled for Club Prior from 7 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 11.
Feb. 11 | Adult snowshoe program - Murphy-Hanrehan Park
A winter wellness snowshoe class for adults is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage.
Feb. 12 | Learn more about Prior Lake-Savage Optimists - Charlie’s on Prior
Local residents are invited to an open house sponsored by the Prior Lake-Savage Optimist Club on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Landing at Charlie's, 3950 Green Heights Tr., Prior Lake.
Feb. 13 | Chamber’s ‘Flavors of February’ - Cleary Lake Regional Park
Tickets are now available for the Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce’s "Flavors of February" scheduled for Feb. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Southlake Village Mall.
Feb. 21 | 17th annual Polar Plunge - Sand Point Beach
Registration is open for the 17th annual "Polar Plunge" to support Special Olympics Minnesota. Prior Lake groups raised more than $308,000 in 2025.
Feb. 26 | Pheasants Forever fundraising banquet - Ridges of Sand Creek
Scott County's chapter of Pheasants Forever will host its 39th annual fundraising banquet beginning at 4:30 p.m. Games, auctions and raffles will feature more than 60 items to be awarded that night, including numerous youth prizes, golfing and hunting packages and tickets to sporting events. Tickets are available at the door.
In Case You Missed It
Top clicked stories from last week
Prior Lake News Compass is grateful for the financial
support received from these Founding Donors:
|
|
Consider supporting independent, community-owned news
Prior Lake News Compass is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that depends on donations from our readers. Please consider making a financial contribution to help us with our ongoing expenses.