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Prior Lake News Compass
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
The Prior Lake News Compass is coming to you a day early so you have time to catch up on local news prior to holiday festivities.
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Top Story
Emily and Nathan Orr brought their children, Archie and Lily, to visit with Santa at the City of Prior Lake’s DecemBRRR Dazzle celebration.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Prior Lake News Compass!
It was a year ago this week that the Prior Lake News Compass brought local news back to the community. Since that time, we have gained thousands of voluntary subscribers who receive our newsletter each week and log onto our website to keep up with community news and events.
We continue to receive feedback on a regular basis from our readers who believe in the importance of having a trustworthy source for local news that is accessible to all. Our volunteer Board of Directors appreciates your feedback. Thank you to all who have made a contribution to help us cover our regular business expenses.
Together, we can all make a difference!
City
 | Local woman honored on national stage for legacy of giving back, instilling confidence in dancers of all agesDawn Schulberg's Premiere Dance Academy started small, but now enrolls close to 600 students. The Prior Lake woman was recently recognized with the inaugural Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Industry Dance Awards for her commitment to raising money for cancer patients and providing opportunities for children with special needs. |
 | PL Lions Club involved in community service projects throughout DecemberMembers of the Prior Lake Lions Club have been involved with numerous community service projects throughout the month of December. The club's largest initiative for the month was its distribution of Cub Foods gift cards to families in need, though also included annual favorites such as "Breakfast With Santa," a senior lunch and ongoing youth vision screenings. |
Schools
 | Five Hawks Elementary principal announces June retirementFive Hawks Elementary principal Katy Schuerman announced she would retire after this school year. The district said it will begin the process of hiring a new Five Hawks principal and will share updates as the search progresses. |
NewsMatch
Thank you for your ongoing support!
The Prior Lake News Compass is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers, but funding is still needed to cover normal business costs. There is one more week our readers can help us receive national matching funds through organizations that support local news efforts. The match program ends on Dec. 31.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation, large or small, within the next few days so your contribution will be doubled.
Thank you to all of our readers who have already contributed to the Prior Lake News Compass. We would not be able to continue our mission to provide local news without your support.
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. 10-16, 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
 | Lakers boys hockey drop lone holiday week game to RosemountWith just one game on the schedule due to the holiday week, the Prior Lake boys hockey team dropped a tough test Tuesday night in a 0-4 loss to conference opponent Rosemount. The Lakers return to the ice on Dec. 30 at home against Park of Cottage Grove before hosting the Tradition Holiday Invitational over the New Year’s weekend. |
 | Lakers girls hockey lose two before holiday breakLakers girls hockey lost a pair of tough matchups as they head into the holiday break. They resume play Jan. 3 in Minneapolis. |
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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