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Prior Lake News Compass
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Thank you for being a loyal reader of the Prior Lake News Compass. We truly appreciate the financial support received from hundreds of residents in recent weeks. Donations of up to $1,000 can be matched through the end of December, so please help us get to our goal of raising $100,000 to continue our efforts in the coming year.
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Top Story
The "Lights on Mushtown" display is located at 17881 Mushtown Rd. and runs through Jan. 4.
'Lights on Mushtown' back with massive holiday display of 60,000 lights, synchronized music
Bryan Brandau always loved traditional Christmas light displays. Over time, his efforts to make each year's outdoor holiday display became more elaborate and larger and have continued to grow.
Christmas of 2020 marked the start of "Lights on Mushtown," which has become a drive-by tradition with synchronized music each year since that is enjoyed by residents throughout the area. Brandau, a self-described techie at heart, vowed years ago he would someday produce a major Christmas light display like one he had seen earlier.
In 2019, he started planning for the next year, took the plunge, ordered the needed technical equipment and 10,000 lights.
"It's grown every year," Brandau said. "We now have over 60,000 lights."
City
 | Children's Christmas bag packing event scheduled for Dec. 13A Prior Lake High School graduate is continuing her decade-long holiday tradition of bringing the community together to help homeless children. Sanya’s Hope for Children will host its 10th annual Christmas bag packing event beginning at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 13 at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake. |
 | Public hearing on city's 2026 budget on Monday's meeting agendaThe final 2026 budget will be presented to the Prior Lake City Council for approval at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at Prior Lake City Hall. A public hearing will be held during the meeting to provide an opportunity for anyone who wishes to speak about the budget and share comments directly with the council members. |
Schools
 | PLSAS students compete for annual scholarship prize in VFW essay contestMore than a dozen Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools seventh- and eighth-graders’ essays were selected to compete in the district-level Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot Pens essay contest. |
NewsMatch
Charlie Weaver: ’The Prior Lake News Compass is part of an exciting, growing shift toward an independent, community-owned nonprofit news ecosystem.’
 Charlie Weaver, Metro Nonprofit News Network co-founder and Minnesota Daily executive director and co-publisher | “I’m proud to support the Prior Lake News Compass because they’re rebuilding something too many Minnesota communities have lost: reliable, fact-based local reporting. The Prior Lake News Compass is part of an exciting, growing shift toward an independent, community-owned nonprofit news ecosystem. Through the Metro Nonprofit News Network, I’m able to provide them the shared services, coaching and startup infrastructure needed to focus on what matters most — serving their community. We know that when people have access to trusted local information, they feel more confident speaking up, showing up and getting involved.” |
The Prior Lake News Compass is a nonprofit dedicated to providing high-quality journalism to the Prior Lake community. 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.
“It’s one of the most effective ways to help them build long-term stability and keep essential, paywall-free journalism available to the community,” Weaver said. “Your support today directly strengthens the future of community news in Prior Lake, and Minnesota.”
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation, large or small, before the end of 2025.
Donate to the PL News Compass before the end of 2025 and your contribution will be doubled
Checks can be mailed to:
Prior Lake News Compass
PO Box 75
Prior Lake, MN 55372
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: Nov. 18-25, 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.
Sports
 | Lakers' swim and dive team chases sixth straight conference crownGraduation is the great equalizer. Rosters turn over. Windows of opportunity usually close as quickly as they open. Don’t tell that to the Prior Lake boys' swim and dive team searching for their sixth consecutive conference title. |
 | Prior Lake High School celebrates college signing days across multiple sportsPrior Lake High School student-athletes officially signed their National Letters of Intent, committing to continue their athletic and academic journeys at colleges and universities across the nation. |
 | Lakers earn road win at Eagan before busy week at Dakotah!Prior Lake topped South Suburban opponent Eagan on the road in their return to conference play Dec. 2. Freshman forward Avery Olson helped boost the team to victory by notching a hat trick. |
 | Lakers boys hockey battles back for 5–5 draw ahead of two home conference gamesPrior Lake earned an important road result on Nov. 29, battling back from a 5–2 deficit to finish in a 5–5 tie against section opponent Eden Prairie. |
Events
Dec. 5 | DecemBRRR Dazzle - Lakefront Park
Come kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony, fireworks show and photos with Santa Claus at Prior Lake's DecemBRRR Dazzle from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The second annual event will also include professional ice carving demonstrations and a giant bonfire.
Dec. 6 | Annual cheer competition and holiday boutique - Prior Lake High School
Prior Lake High School cheerleaders will host their annual cheer competition and holiday boutique from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 | Breakfast with Santa - Prior Lake VFW
The Prior Lake Lions Club has invited Santa to have breakfast with local children from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. In the spirit of the holiday season, there is no charge for the event, but participants are asked to make a free-will donation to offset expenses.
Dec. 8 | Lions’ Club senior luncheon - Prior Lake VFW
The Prior Lake Lions Club will host its annual Senior Holiday Luncheon at 11 a.m. Attendees are requested to bring a food item that will be donated to the CAP Agency and a toy suitable for a teenager that will be donated to the Toys for Tots organization.
Dec. 12-14 | Annie Jr., presented by PL Players - Twin Oaks Middle School
The Prior Lake Players’ production of Annie Jr. will be on stage Dec. 12-14 at Twin Oaks Middle School. In partnership with The Penguin Project, a nationwide inclusive theater program that empowers children, teens and young adults with disabilities to shine as the stars of the show.
Dec. 14 | PLHS band pancake breakfast - Prior Lake VFW
Enjoy a pancake breakfast while taking in the holiday sights and sounds of the Prior Lake High School Jazz Band from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. This is the 43rd year that the event will be hosted by the band as an annual fundraiser.
In Case You Missed It
Top clicked stories from last week
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