- Prior Lake News Compass
- Posts
- Prior Lake News Compass
Prior Lake News Compass
Thursday, February 19, 2026
The high school winter sports season is nearing an end, and Prior Lake will be well-represented in state competitions. Congrats and good luck to all Lakers who will be competing in the coming weeks! We’re also welcoming back a writer/photographer familiar to many Prior Lake readers. Stan Tekiela will be sharing his nature-based adventures and spectacular photos in the PLNC on a regular basis.
Send your story ideas to:
[email protected]
Top Story
Peter Goldstein, Melanie Cole, Suzie Misel and Angel Igwenagu have worked together in preparing Hopes Portage for its opening in the coming weeks.
New transitional housing gives homeless families hope, path for better future
Fourteen families will be calling Prior Lake home in the near future, thanks to a new transitional housing community made possible through three local organizations working together.
Hopes Portage is being brought to fruition through a collaborative partnership between Scott County Housing, the Community Action Partnership (CAP Agency) and Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church. Leaders of those organizations saw firsthand in recent years the number of families who were homeless, and there were few resources available that addressed current needs. Their paths crossed frequently, but the mission for each usually involved finding solutions for different challenges.
Those needs were not unique to Scott County. Peter Goldstein, Housing and Planning Supervisor for the county said the agency has overseen other housing agreements to help those who are homeless or focus on its prevention. Short-term hotel stays have and continue to be used to get individuals and families off the streets, adding that it's difficult to engage with and help families in those circumstances.
City
 | Get to know Prior Lake better through 'Community Academy'Local residents can learn more about city operations through the Prior Lake "Community Academy" that will run over a six-week period beginning April 7 and ending May 12. The free program will meet every Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. during that time frame, with a different city department highlighted each night. |
 | PL residents can register early for summer camps offered by Three River Park DistrictPriority registration for summer camps being held by the Three Rivers Park District will open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24 for Scott and Hennepin County residents. Three Rivers will offer day camps and overnight camps for children ages 4 to 15 throughout the summer months. |
Schools
 | MDE orders state school districts to administer new assessment testingDr. Jennie Zumbusch, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Director of Assessment and Improvement, announced at the Feb. 9 meeting of the Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board that the Minnesota Department of Education has added a new reading assessment requirement for students in grades four through 12. |
 | National letters of intent signed by studentsFourteen Prior Lake High School student-athletes officially signed their National Letters of Intent (NLI), marking a milestone as they prepare to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. |
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: Feb. 3-10
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
 | Gymnastics team captures section title, headed back to state this weekendThe Prior Lake High School gymnastics team is headed to state after winning the section tournament on Feb. 13 at Eden Prairie. The Lakers claimed the Section 2AA championship with a team score of 144.05 -- the season's best mark -- finishing just ahead of New Prague to secure the title. |
 | Prior Lake Cheer teams place at nationals held in OrlandoThe Prior Lake Varsity Cheer Team earned a pair of sixth-place finishes at the National High School Cheerleading Championship held in Orlando on Feb. 6-8. The junior varsity squad came home with a bronze medal. |
Nature
 | Tekiela: Work done by woodpeckers often ends up as a home for other speciesA cavity in a tree, excavated by a woodpecker seems normal enough, but when you stop to think about it, this simple cavity in a tree is absolutely remarkable. So, let’s take a closer look at the humble woodpecker cavity. |
Events
 | PL to host its 17th Polar Plunge to benefit Special OlympicsThe 17th annual "Polar Plunge" will be held Feb. 21 at Sand Point Beach in Prior Lake. Last year, more than 1,100 "plungers" jumped into Prior Lake to support Special Olympics Minnesota. |
Feb. 21 | ‘Party in the Club’ family event - Club Prior
Kids and families are invited to the "Party in the Club" being hosted at Club Prior from 10 to 11:15 a.m. KidsDance DJ will provide entertainment.
Feb. 21 | Burger Bash fundraiser for U12 baseball team - Prior Lake VFW
A burger bash fundraiser supporting the Prior Lake Thunder and Prior Lake Northstars will be held at the Prior Lake VFW on Feb. 21 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Feb. 21 | ‘Malice in the Palace’ on stage - Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church
"Malice in the Palace," a fun, faith-filled musical about the inspiring story of Esther, will be performed at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church on Saturday, Feb. 21, beginning at 7 p.m.
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.
Feb. 28 | ‘Dance With Me Ball’ - Prior Lake High School
The 15th annual "Dance With Me Ball," planned by the Community Education Department of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Prior Lake High School. Young princesses will be escorted by an adult for an evening of dancing and fun.
Feb. 28 | Edina Realty Foundation fundraiser - Savage Tap
The Prior Lake office of Edina Realty will host a community charity event benefitting the Edina Realty Foundation on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Savage Tap, 12925 Eagle Creek Parkway, Savage. The event will run from 5:30 to 11 p.m., with food served from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
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.