The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a Red Oak man was arrested Monday evening for Driving While Barred. 24-year old Randy Michael Mitchell was taken into custody just before 5-p.m. and booked into Montgomery County Corrections, where he was being held on a $2,000 cash bond.

MINNEAPOLIS – With Black Friday and Cyber Monday now in the books, people around Minnesota and the country are being asked to think of others on this “Giving Tuesday.” According to co-founder Henry Timms, that can include donating money or time to a favorite charitable group, while a new spin this year is having people post what he calls “unselfies” on social media.

“Share a picture of you doing something useful for others. Share a picture of a cause that matters deeply to you. Do something unselfish around Giving Tuesday,” Timms urged. Among the nonprofits taking part locally is the Iowa 4-H Foundation, whose administrative specialist Brooke Young said their focus is on making a difference for Iowa youth. “And our mission is to provide funds for many opportunities for Iowa 4-H’ers, including recognition, 4-H trips, scholarships and other special programs throughout the year.”

Young said the opportunities provided by the Iowa 4-H Foundation help young people develop skills in areas such as communication, critical thinking and leadership. “It’s providing them skills that they will use, not only in 4-H but then in life after 4-H.”

Since its first annual event last year, Giving Tuesday has grown to include more than 8000 partners in all 50 states. More information on the Iowa 4-H Foundation can be found online at bit.ly/186s5wH.
More on Giving Tuesday is at bit.ly/19d9KsP.

(Iowa News Service)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — An eight-member jury has been seated in Sioux City for a trial to decide whether a former top federal prosecutor in Iowa discriminated against one of her lawyers. Stephanie Rose, now a federal judge, was U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Iowa at the time of the alleged discrimination against then-assistant U.S. Attorney Martha Fagg. Fagg has sued the U.S. Department of Justice, claiming Rose discriminated against her because of her mental and physical conditions.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A settlement has been approved that calls for the state of Iowa to pay $71,000 in a lawsuit filed by a former inmate who alleged sexual harassment at her prison job. The Iowa Appeal Board approved the settlement Monday involving 43-year-old Melissa Lee Renda. She will receive $25,000 and her attorney will get $46,000.

HAWARDEN, Iowa (AP) — A northwest Iowa man has been sentenced to five years in prison for shooting at a vacuum salesperson in September. Fifty-year-old Samuel Harrison, of Hawarden, was charged with a felony of going armed with intent, and aggravated misdemeanors of aggravated assault and operating while intoxicated. Harrison gave the salesperson permission to enter his home but eventually told the person to leave. He said he shot his weapon to scare the salesperson, who was not injured.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A plan by Alliant Energy to reduce required energy efficiency goals for 2014 through 2018 has been approved by the Iowa Utilities Board. Alliant says energy efficiency programs will cost nearly $77 million in 2014 and nearly $82 million by 2018. On average that’s about 1.1 percent of annual sales. Environmental groups say the new goals are a reduction from the current goal of 1.3 percent of sales and represent less than half the efficiency progress possible.