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Prior Lake News Compass
Thursday, January 22, 2026
One of Prior Lake’s own is heading back to the Olympics. Alpine skier Paula Moltzan made the team for a second consecutive Winter Olympics. She credits much of her foundation to her time at Buck Hill in Burnsville under legendary coach Erich Sailer (who also coached Lindsey Vonn).
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Top Story
Demolition of one of two houses located next to Prior Lake City Hall began Tuesday morning to make room for the Cora Apartments complex.
House demolition begins on future site of Cora Apartments complex
The first phase of construction on the Cora Apartments complex officially began on Tuesday morning with the demolition of two houses located on Dakota Street, directly east of Prior Lake City Hall.
The $32 million structure is expected to be completed in 2026 and will include 105 market-rate apartments, a street-front restaurant with rooftop deck, an outdoor deck for tenants and underground parking.
News
 | Prior Lake skier set for second Winter OlympicsPaula Moltzan made her second Olympic alpine team after qualifying with a series of podium appearances in the season beginning Oct. 25. Moltzan was one of the first three women named to the team, along with Burnsville-raised superstar Lindsey Vonn and two-time gold-medalist Mikaela Shiffrin. |
City
 | Schulberg recipient of Cora McQuestion 'Spirit of Prior Lake’ AwardIt's been a busy few months filled with surprises for local resident Dawn Schulberg. The owner of Premiere Dance Academy was honored by the Prior Lake City Council as the recipient of the 2025 Cora B. McQuestion Spirit of Prior Lake Award just months after being awarded the Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2025 Industry Dance Awards in Hollywood. |
Safe 'meet-up spot' for online sales available at police department
Buying or selling online? Residents can complete sales transactions with confidence in a monitored area at the city's "Meet-up Spot" located in the parking lot of the Prior Lake Police Department, 4649 Dakota St. SE. The area is monitored and recorded seven days a week, 24 hours each day.
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: Jan. 6 - 13, 2026
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 gymnast Madeline Chappuis logs third-highest all-around score in PLHS historyLakers gymnast Madeline Chappuis capped off her final home competition with one of the highest all-around scores in Prior Lake High School history. Chappuis’ 37.0 score on the all-around — the collective scores of the vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise — placed her in the record books with the third-highest score in school history. |
 | Lakers girls hockey’s two wins highlight week ahead of key road testsPrior Lake earned a conference win over Lakeville South on Jan. 13 at home, scoring six goals with five coming on the power play. After dropping the a home loss to Eagan, the Lakers rebounded in a big way with a 10-0 victory over Shakopee, including a hat trick from sophomore defender Liv Heinicke. |
 | Lakers boys hockey earns conference win, drops two OT decisionsPrior Lake earned its first win since Dec. 6 with a conference victory over the Let’s Play Hockey’s then-No. 14-ranked Lakeville South. The Lakers lost two overtime heartbreakers against Eagan and No. 13-ranked Holy Cross as they enter the final stretch of the season. |
 | Late heroics keep lakers undefeated in SSC huntThe Lakers swim and dive team hasn't dropped a single conference meet in six years, though they tested the waters with that last week. The streak continued in a dual with Farmington that came down to the final race. |
Events
PL Sportsmen’s Club ice fishing contest - Sand Point Beach Public Access
The 45th annual Prior Lake Sportsmen’s Club Ice Fishing Contest will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Prior Lake on Sunday, Jan. 25. Holes will be drilled in the ice for all participants, and free minnows provided.
Jan. 30 | Cheer on PLHS cheerleading team - Twin Oaks Middle School
Residents are invited to cheer on the Prior Lake High School Cheerleaders on prior to the team competing at the state level on Jan. 31, followed by nationals in Orlando on Feb. 6-8. The free event is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Cheerleaders will perform routines that will be used in upcoming competitions. Graduating seniors will be recognized, as will their favorite teachers.
Feb. 4 | “Cook Book Club” - Prior Lake Library
Get out of the winter doldrums and join other area cooks and bakers when the Prior Lake Library hosts its quarterly "Cook Book Club" beginning at 6 p.m. Every gathering features a cookbook author, cuisine or ingredient. Members choose a recipe from the designated theme and bring it to share with the group during the meeting.
Feb. 21 | 17th annual Polar Plunge - Sand Point Beach
Registration is open for the 17th annual "Polar Plunge" to support Special Olympics Minnesota. Prior Lake groups raised more than $308,000 in 2025.
In Case You Missed It
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