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Prior Lake News Compass
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Don’t put your shorts and sandals away just yet. Friday and Saturday are supposed to hit 90 degrees or more both days. “Normal” temps, if there is such a thing, will return Monday, with highs projected in the 60s. Enjoy the sunshine and fall colors this weekend.
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Top Story
Five Hawks Elementary is one of six local schools that will be impacted by attendance boundary changes in the next school year.
Assessing options
District lays out five boundary options; top two to be discussed Oct. 27
Members of the Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board were presented with five different elementary school boundary alternatives at its Sept. 22 meeting.
Executive Director of Business Affairs Lisa Rider and Director of Operational Services Dan Powers presented options following the board's authorization to close WestWood Elementary as a neighborhood school and implement new school attendance boundaries. Alternatives were to assess current resources and be able to adjust for current and future enrollment.
When planning for the boundary changes, the district used “base numbers” that did not include open-enrolled students and put students who are currently attending a school through In-District Transfer (IDT) back to their home schools. The fact that La ola del lago (LODL) and SAGE 5th grade students will be located in the WestWood building starting in the 2026-27 school year was also figured into the plan.
City
 | Council approves Northwood Road project, dock system for Spring Brook BayResidents living along Northwood Road will face road construction delays next summer after the city begins a three-year project that includes upgrading street conditions, along with water and sanitary sewer systems, sidewalks and lighting. The council also approved a unique dock arrangement for Spring Brook Bay residents. |
 | Free yard waste recycling offered during October at Dakota Prairie CompostingPrior Lake residents can drop off fall yard waste for free recycling services during the month of October at Dakota Prairie Composting, owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. |
Schools
 | District must pull additional $786,000 from general fund to cover last year's expensesThe Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board reviewed during its Sept. 22 study session the preliminary financial numbers for the previous year and found the district needed to draw down $786,456 more from its general fund to cover expenses. |
 | Conlon joins race for PLSAS board seatPrior Lake resident Jon Conlon announced that he is running for a seat on the board of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools in the upcoming election. Conlon, a 15-year community member and father of three children who currently attend PLSAS schools. |
Board candidates weigh in on school issues during forum
Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board candidates Jon Conlon and Dustin Smith cited many of the same concerns during the forum hosted by the Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 25. Primary differences expressed came down to fiscal management, academic outcomes and staffing concerns.
Obituary
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: September 17-23
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 earn 28-7 victory at Lakeville North, will play Shakopee in Homecoming gameThe Prior Lake Lakers used a balanced mix of explosive runs and timely defensive takeaways to defeat Lakeville North 28–7 on Sept. 26 at Lakeville North High School. |
 | Lakers roll past Shakopee Sabers, set for last week of regular seasonThe Prior Lake girls’ soccer team made the most of their only game last week, shutting out cross-town rival Shakopee 5–0 on Sept. 23. Mila Macias led the attack with two goals and an assist. |
 | Win streak continues for volleyball team; Cotton hits assist milestoneJunior Ryah Cotton, a setter on the Laker varsity volleyball team, hit a career milestone Sept. 19 with 1,000 assists. |
Events
Oct. 3-4 | Geocaching, buckthorn removal - PLSL Watershed events
Join the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District for two events being held this weekend as part of “Watershed Week.”
Oct. 6 | Novelist at Club Book - Prior Lake Library, downtown Prior Lake
Prior Lake Library's next "Club Book" event is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m., and will feature novelist Jon Hickey, a member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Chippewa (Anishinaabe) Indians in Wisconsin.
Oct. 6-27 | Fall Hiking Club - Cleary Lake Regional Park
Enjoy the optimal fall hiking season and explore Cleary Lake Regional Park with an outdoor recreation school instructor while participating in the Fall Hiking Club scheduled to run through Oct. 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 | Savage Arts Festival - Community Park, Savage
The annual Savage Area Arts Festival will be held at Community Park in Savage on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dozens of artists and craftspeople will be selling their creations. Food trucks will also be on site the day of the event.
Oct. 17 | Scott County 55+ Expo - Jordan High School
The annual Scott County 55+ Senior Expo will be held at Jordan High School on Friday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will include a continental breakfast, vendor exhibits, entertainment, lunch and more. The deadline to register is Oct. 3.
Oct. 21 | Lakeside Big Band - Prior Lake VFW
The Prior Lake News Compass is approaching its first anniversary of providing LOCAL news for Prior Lake. We will host a special event to show our appreciation to those who have helped us achieve this milestone, with music provided by Lakeside Big Band.
In Case You Missed It
Top clicked stories from last week
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