By Jill Blank

While North Iowa banks don’t operate in a vacuum, neither do they appear to be deeply affected by the national credit crunch. At least not yet.
The Garner Leader recently spoke with leadership at some area banks about the current credit picture, and overall, the news is good.

“We don’t feel everything that the coast does right away,” said Chip Thiedemann, Vice President with Clear Lake Bank and Trust and Garner Branch Office Manager. “The ups-and-downs aren’t felt as much here.” [more]

By Rebecca Peter The crunch of leaves … the nip of frost in the air… It’s time for the for the second annual Fall Festival and Customer Appreciation Day, Saturday, Oct. 18 in Garner. The event, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is sponsored by the Garner Chamber of Commerce. “This is an opportunity for our local merchants to thank their current customers as well as welcome new ones,” said Chamber of Commerce Director, Lisa Formanek. Home-based businesses and area crafters are invited to set booths along State Street. [more]

Tyler Williams Tyler Williams, superintendent of Garner-Hayfield Community School District, was named District 2 Superintendent of the Year and was a nominee for the 2008-09 Iowa Superintendent of the Year award sponsored by the School Administrators of Iowa. "We are pleased to recognize school leaders who represent excellence in education," said Dan Smith, SAI executive director. His peers nominated Williams for the award and he will be recognized at SAI's awards banquet in August of 2009. Dr. Lane Plugge, superintendent of Iowa City Community School District, was selected as this year's award recipient. “I view these types of recognitions as a compliment to the District as a whole and not necessarily an individual honor,” said Williams. “We have a great school board members and building leadership and our teachers and staff are second to none.” [more]

By Jill Blank
Preparations are underway for an exciting week of Homecoming festivities at Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne High School. The focal point of the week is the football game on Friday, Oct. 10, when the CWL Panthers take on the Wildcats from Janesville, starting at 7 p.m.

Following a video games theme, students will start the week on Monday, Oct. 6, by decorating school hallways and painting spirit boards for display. The theme, “There are No Cheat Codes to Beat Us!,” will inspire creative efforts on for each high school class to compete for the honor of “Best Hallway” and “Best Float” in the Friday Homecoming parade at 2 p.m. [more]