News this week that a federal advisory panel, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), recommended reversing long-standing and widely promoted guidelines for when to screen for breast cancer has brought a wide range of responses.

The recommendation that women wait to have breast-cancer screening until age 50 rather than 40, is meeting rejection from physicians and medical groups throughout the country. The list includes Allina Hospitals & Clinics, which operates and is part owner of St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.

 By Shannon Fiecke, Correspondent

On warm Fridays, they line up before the window opens at 11 a.m. The crowd is mostly men. All ages. Hispanic and Caucasian. White collar and blue.

By Lori Carlson, Editor
The decision to go ahead with plans to hire a full-time fire chief caused some debate among Prior Lake City Council members during a budget workshop Monday.

The 2010 budget includes enough money to hire a full-time chief to oversee the city’s paid on-call volunteer fire department. City leaders originally budgeted for the position for 2009 but delayed the hiring by one year due to budget cuts. Salary and benefits for the fire chief position are estimated at $112,000, Finance Director Jerilyn Erickson said.

Shakopee Police arrested an 18-year-old Prior Lake man early this morning for the armed robbery of Burger King late Tuesday night.

The man is also suspected of attempting to rob Payless Gas Station on Monday evening. 

The suspect was booked into Scott County Jail at 4:21 a.m. on suspicion of aggravated robbery. Formal charges are pending with the Scott County Attorney's Office.

No more information was immediately available from police. Check back later for further updates.

The suspect was convicted in June of destroying a motel room in Lakeville in April. 

By Shawn Hogendorf, Staff Writer 

Police are investigating a report of ongoing “sexting” communications between a 31-year-old Maple Lake, Minn. man and a 12-year-old Prior Lake girl.

By Shawn Hogendorf, Staff Writer 

A 41-year-old Prior Lake man who is the owner of a pharmaceutical company that collects and disposes outdated, recalled or excess prescription drugs was sentenced today in federal court on Tuesday for selling Xanax and OxyContin.

The Prior Lake Library, 16210 Eagle Creek Ave., will host a holiday cookie service project for kids from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19.

Participants should bring a donation of baking supplies (sugar, flour, sprinkles, etc.) and decorate a holiday box. The filled and decorated boxes will be delivered to the CAP Agency food shelf. Kids will also get to decorate and take home their own chef hat. Registration is not required.

For more information on activities, call the library at (952) 447-3375.