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Prior Lake News Compass
Thursday, January 15, 2026
It was a busy week in Prior Lake. The school board elected new leadership while the schools revised their budget with a much more optimistic outlook. City council approved $225,000 in affordable housing funding. And Savage police arrested a woman in the September infant death at a daycare.
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Top Story
Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar (at podium) and Savage Police Chief Brady Juell answered questions Jan. 14 on 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust's September death. Police arrested an 18-year-old worker from Rocking Horse Ranch daycare for suffocating Muklebust and attacking another child to gain attention.
Police say daycare worker sought attention by fatally suffocating infant
Savage police arrested a Rocking Horse Ranch daycare employee who had worked there for three weeks in the September death of an infant.
Savage Police Chief Brady Juell said Theah Loudemia Russell, 18, admitted to suffocating 11-month old Harvey Muklebust as well as another who survived twice. Prosecutors are expected to charge Russell on Thursday with second-degree unintentional murder and two counts of assault.
City
 | Council approves $225,000 contribution from special sales tax fund created for affordable housingThe Prior Lake City Council approved a contribution totaling $225,000 to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, with funds paid from Local Affordable Housing Aid received in the past two years. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is nearing completion of three four-unit townhome buildings near Ponds Park on 170th Street for residents making 80% or less of the area median income. |
Schools
 | Bullyan to serve as PLSAS board chair in 2026Amy Bullyan was elected chairperson of the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Board for the remainder of 2026. Bullyan, who won on a 5-2 vote, had been the acting chair following the resignation of Dan White, former chair, who resigned from the board in 2025. |
PLSAS board approves revised financial budget for 2025-26 year
Members of the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Board unanimously approved a revised revenue and expense budget for the current fiscal year. Revised revenue projections came in at nearly $4.58 million greater than what was anticipated when the annual budget was first adopted, increasing the district’s unrestricted fund balance above the board's goal of at least 8%
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: Dec. 30, 2025 - Jan. 6, 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 make waves setting records as boys swim and dive team continues strong seasonOver the last few weeks, the Prior Lake boys swim and dive team has torn through the water, racking up conference wins and rewriting the record books in opposing pools. Led by a heavy-hitting roster of senior captains and a surging group of underclassmen, the Lakers have moved to 3-0 in the South Suburban Conference while posting podium finishes in two major invitationals. |
 | Special teams decide Lakers boys hockey 3–2 loss at EastviewPrior Lake boys hockey dropped to 3-8-2 on the season following a 3–2 road loss to Eastview on Jan. 10, marking the Lakers’ seventh straight loss, many by narrow margins against strong competition. |
 | Lakers girls hockey splits road conference games at Rosemount and EastviewPrior Lake girls hockey went 1–1 on a two-game road stretch, falling at Rosemount before rebounding with a shutout win at Eastview to move to 9-8-1 overall. |
Featured Event
Jan. 18 | MLK Jr. celebration - Twin Oaks Middle School
The Savage Community Equity Commission, Rotary Club of Savage and Rotary Club of Prior Lake have partnered in hosting a free program honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program will include segments of a PBS documentary about Josie Johnson, a civic leader and community organizer who was instrumental in passing the fair housing bill in 1962 and the first Black person appointed to the University of Minnesota board of regents.
Events
Jan. 15 | 'Shut Out the Stigma' girls hockey game - Dakotah! Ice Center
The Prior Lake High School girls' hockey team will face Eagan during a fundraiser to "Shut Out the Stigma" and promote mental health awareness. The junior varsity team will play at 5 p.m. with the varsity team to follow at 7 p.m. Proceeds from the event will be benefit the Duck Cup Memorial.
Jan. 17 | 'Party in the Club' family event - Club Prior
Kids and families are invited to a free party with "Todd 'N Tina" kicking off with fun and crafts from 10 to 10:30 a.m., followed by entertainment from the duo that is scheduled from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Jan. 17 | ‘Burgers and Brews’ girls hockey fundraiser - Prior Lake VFW Club
A "Burgers and Brews" fundraiser for the Prior Lake Girls' High School hockey program will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Attendees can purchase a bottomless beer wristband or the burger basket with fries and beer special during the event.
Jan. 21 | Rotary Club hosts ‘Minnesota Bound’ host Ron Schara - Spot’s Last Stop
Ron Schara, writer, television personality and host of "Minnesota Bound," will be the guest speaker hosted by the Prior Lake Rotary Club during a free-to-attend meeting from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. An outdoor enthusiast, Schara will recount outdoor memories and share engaging stories about his experiences.
Second and last Thursdays monthly | Community Plate free meals - Shepherd of the Lake Church
Community Plate, offering a free meal to all, will be held twice each month in 2026 at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church.
In Case You Missed It
Top clicked stories from last week
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