The time for gift shopping is quickly coming to an end, but parents are reminded that it still pays to be cautious when buying toys, to avoid those that are dangerous or toxic. According to Shaina Shay, spokeswoman for the Public Interest Research Group, one main concern are those toys with high levels of lead.She cited “the Marvel Superhero Squad Soft Shield that contains 2,900 parts per million of lead, which violates the standard by 29 times. Also the Ninja Turtles pencil case.”

Shay also urged parents to stay away from toys that could present a choking hazard for young children, which – if you want to check on your own – is generally any product that would fit through a toilet paper roll. Another consideration in toy buying is, how loud is it? The maximum suggested noise for toys that are held within an inch of the ear is 65 decibels, but Shay said one they found goes well beyond that. “The Leapfrog Count and Chat Smartphone, which is clearly intended to be held up to the ear, exceeds not only the 65-decibel range but prolonged periods of 90 decibels.”

You can find this year’s entire “Trouble in Toyland” report online at the USPIRG website.

(Iowa News Service)

 Time is running out to find the perfect gift for everyone on the “nice” list this year, but experts say it’s critical to protect yourself and your purchases in the midst of the last-minute rush.According to Michelle Corey of the Better Business Bureau, the recent data breach that affected an estimated 40 million Target customers should serve as a wake-up call for shoppers everywhere.

“If you’re using your credit card or your debit card on a regular basis during the holiday shopping season, go online to your bank and check your checking account statements or your credit card statements to see if there are unauthorized charges,” she suggested. Corey also recommended that at least once per quarter consumers check their credit reports with one of the three credit-reporting agencies to see if any unauthorized accounts have been opened or there’s any suspicious activity. 

Corey said many people look at gift cards as an easy option in these final shopping days, but she offered caution there too, as some gift cards come with transaction fees, processing fees, inactivity fees, or other issues. “Millions of gift cards every year, they go unused because people either lose them, they’re stolen, they forget about them or they just don’t want to do business at the stores,” she said.

Target data breach information is at tgt.biz/JMn9Td.

(Iowa News Service)

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a Glenwood man was cited Sunday night for driving with a suspended license. Nicholas Allen Hall was stopped at the Highway’s 71 and 34 interchange for a traffic violation. Upon further investigation, it was determined Hall was operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. Hall was cited for the offense and released on a citation, with instructions to appear in court at a later date.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Travel conditions are likely to remain hazardous in Iowa through Monday morning as strong winds create snow drifts and glazed roads. The latest road conditions are available online at http://511ia.org or by calling 511 when in Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines police officer is facing sanctions after department officials determined that he acted improperly when he shot out a van tire during an October pursuit. Sergeant Jason Halifax tells the Register that Sergeant Greg Wessels’ actions violated the department’s policy on using deadly force. Wessels remains on duty. His commanders will decide what punishment to impose.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two deer hunters have been injured during the last weekend of shotgun season. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said yesterday that a Madrid man was shot in his elbow by a hunter who was shooting at a deer in Dallas County on Saturday. Fifty-year-old Michael Otto was treated at a Des Moines hospital. Twenty-one-year-old Holden Hillegas of Charles City also was accidentally shot Saturday near Floyd.

HONOLULU (AP) — Georges Niang scored 22 points and Number 17 Iowa State beat George Mason 79-67 yesterday in the first round of the Diamond Head Classic. The Cyclones had their second-lowest scoring game of the season but still managed to extend their winning streak.