Davenport-based newspaper publisher Lee Enterprises Inc. said last Friday that it received an extension on $306 million in Pulitzer Notes debt related to its subsidiary St. Louis Post-Dispatch LLC until Jan. 30. The waiver was set to expire last Friday, and without the extension Lee would have faced a technical default of several provisions under its debt agreements. “Lee and its lenders continue to work diligently to effect an extension of the Pulitzer Notes, and to make longer-term changes to our bank credit agreement to maintain the company’s liquidity,” said Carl Schmidt, Lee Enterprises vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, in a release.

Deere & Co. announced the size of a planned five-year bond at 600 million euros ($798.2 million) and lowered its price guidance to mid-swaps plus 465 basis points from a range of 470 to 490 basis points, Reuters reported. The move comes after the bond attracted investor interest of more than 2 billion euros, according to IFT Markets.

The Salvation Army in Des Moines beat its 2008 Red Kettle campaign goal by 13 percent and came close to its record-setting campaign of $681,015 in 2007. Last year’s campaign totaled $680,123. But once three one-ounce South African Gold Krugerrands and four one-tenth-ounce Gold American Eagles are sold, it will likely boost Salvation Army’s total above last year’s record. The goal was set at $600,000 due to the economic outlook. Revenue generated by the campaign accounts for nearly half of the local Salvation Army’s annual operating budget.

The Warren County Leadership Institute is seeking nominations for the Kent Britten Memorial Leadership Award. The award is given to a person who best exemplifies leadership in Warren County. Nominations are due by March 19. Learn more by sending an e-mail to wcedc@mchsi.com.