Prior Lake News Compass

Thursday, November 20, 2025

November 20, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes

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Top Story

The Cora Apartments complex will be constructed on Dakota Street between Prior Lake City Hall and Lakeside Plaza.

Cora Apartments complex given green light by Prior Lake City Council

A year from now, Dakota Street in downtown Prior Lake will look significantly different.

That’s where the Cora Apartments complex — named after Prior Lake’s first woman mayor, Cora McQuestion, who served in the 1920s — will be built following final approval by the Prior Lake City Council on Nov. 12. The five-story building will include 105 market-rate apartments, a street-front restaurant with a rooftop deck for diners, an outdoor deck for tenants and both underground and surface-level parking, according to Casey McCabe, Prior Lake community development director.

The council approved the project on a 4-0 vote, with council member Victor Lake absent. The city offered more than $3 million in tax increment financing to spur the development. The project is expected to start in early 2026 and will be located between Prior Lake City Hall and Lakefront Plaza.

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City

Ribbon cutting held for first segment of Highway 13 bike/pedestrian trail

Officials from far and near gathered on Nov. 14 to celebrate the opening of the first segment for the Highway 13 "Gateway Trail" project. The paved path runs on the west side of Highway 13, which is considered to be one of the busiest stretches of roadway in the city. The trail will eventually be extended to the downtown Prior Lake area.

Council bans unlicensed golf cart drivers on city streets

Golf cart operators in Prior Lake must be licensed drivers following a decision made by the Prior Lake City Council to amend its ordinance. All golf cart operators must be a licensed driver who is at least 16 years of age, or be 15 years old with a learner's permit and accompanied by a parent or guardian when driving on local streets.

Schools

PLSAS superintendent: ‘Our district is at a critical financial point'

In a guest column, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools superintendent Dr. Michael Thomas said the district is proud of the clean audit they recently received, though faces significant challenges unless revenue changes.

NewsMatch

Scott Carlson: ‘I have come to really appreciate having the Prior Lake News Compass to keep me abreast of what is happening in our community.’

Scott Carlson, former president of Prior Lake Optimist Club

“As a long-time resident of Prior Lake, I have come to really appreciate having the Prior Lake News Compass to keep me abreast of what is happening in our community. With the loss of print media, and the proliferation of many social media sites that may have a bias built in, the News Compass stands out as a fact-based source of good information. In addition, sports results, event calendars, and interesting history stories make the News Compass well worth the read.”

The Prior Lake News Compass is a nonprofit dedicated to providing high-quality journalism to the Prior Lake community. Scott Carlson, former president of the Prior Lake Optimist Club, said the News Compass is a fact-based source of information that keeps him informed about the community.

During November and 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.

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

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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. 4-11, 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

Laker girls hockey rolls in season opener as strong core returns for 2025-26

Prior Lake girls hockey opened the season on Nov. 6 with a 12–2 win over Bloomington, powered by a deep offensive performance and contributions throughout the lineup. With returning scoring, veteran goaltending and improved depth across the lineup, Prior Lake is positioned to take a step forward in both conference play and Section 2AA.

Nov. 20-22 l Cinderella, Enchanted Edition - Prior Lake High School
Tickets are now on sale for Prior Lake High School's fall musical, "Cinderella, Enchanted Edition.” Nearly 50 local students will appear on stage during the performance, and nearly as many have worked in recent months behind the scenes on set creation, preparing costumes, lighting, props and technical needs.
Dec. 5 | DecemBRRR Dazzle! - Lakefront Park
The City of Prior Lake will host its second annual “DecemBRRR Dazzle!” from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The free event will kick off with a tree lighting ceremony, followed by a festive fireworks show. Family photos with Santa Claus can be taken in the pavilion.
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. In-person participation is preferred for the door prize drawings. Take-out orders will be available at 12:30 p.m.
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.

Prior Lake News Compass is grateful for the financial
support received from these Founding Donors:

  • Albrecht Poss Foundation

  • Bob and Lisa Conzemius

  • Den and Sandy Gardner

  • Pat and Norma Klein

  • Lakefront Music Fest

  • McKnight Foundation

  • Prior Lake Lions Club

  • Prior Lake Optimist Club

  • Prior Lake Rotary Club

  • Prior Lake Rotary Foundation

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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.