The 2012 Mower County Fair is in full swing, and while the grandstand itself isn’t operational, the shows are still on.

There’s the usual suspects — Motokazie Supercross, which took place last night, demolition derbies, a tractor pull, and bull riding — but they’ve also added Figure 8 Trailer races, where drivers attempt to knock off or damage other drivers’ trailers while racing around a figure 8 track.

Check it out, and go to austindailyherald.com and click on Fair 2012 at the top of the page for complete coverage.

Watch for primary election coverage

The 2012 election primaries are less than a week away, and Austin has several decisions to make. There are several local competitive races on the ballot, including a five-person race for mayor, nine school board candidates, six county commissioner candidates fighting for two seats, and three candidates for City Council Ward 1, and a heated race between Republicans Allen Quist and Mike Parry for the right to face U.S. Rep. Tim Walz in general election.

The Herald will publish a Q&A with every local candidate on the primary ballot starting Thursday. Look for those, and also go to austindailyherald.com/ category/election2012 for complete coverage of each candidate and where and how to vote.

McFarland distinguished for safety

The Minnesota Trucking Association awarded its highest safety honor, the Grand Trophy for Fleet Safety, to McFarland Truck Lines, Inc. of Austin, during the MTA’s Annual Conference.

McFarland Truck Lines is a for-hire carrier with a fleet of 108 trucks operating throughout the U.S.

The safety awards are based on Minnesota mileage and accident statistics, and McFarland was one of nine to receive the award.

Business owner wins national award

Lisa Jewett, an independent educational consultant with Usborne Books & More, attended the Fourteenth Annual National Convention “Connect!” in Tulsa, Okla., in June.

Jewett, of Austin, received national recognition and was honored as the New Consultant of the Year, honorable mention.

Usborne Books provides an opportunity to own and operate a home-based business that promotes children’s literacy. For more information, contact Jewett at 507-440-2212 or email lisa@usbornebooksandgifts.com.

Austin bank receives high rating

Community National Bank, which has two branches in Austin, has been assigned an overall rating of “Outstanding,” — the highest rating possible — on its Community Reinvestment Act Exam from the Comptroller of the Currency.

The CRA evaluation assessed the bank’s initiatives and performance designed to help meet the credit need of its entire community, including low and moderate income residents.

The Austin branches, previously known as Community Bank, merged July 1 with Community National Bank, headquartered in Waterloo, Iowa, and took its name. Both banks are affiliates of the same parent company, Community National Bancorporation, which formed in 1997.