MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says he spoke with Republicans in neighboring Iowa as they prepared to vote on a bill that would eliminate most collective bargaining rights for public workers there. Walker’s signature achievement as governor was signing a similar bill into law in Wisconsin six years ago. Walker tweeted on Monday night that he had spoken via Skype with Iowa Republicans and offered encouraging words to them in advance of a vote Tuesday on the proposal.

Walker’s spokesman Tom Evenson says that Walker discussed how Republicans overcame protests to pass Wisconsin’s law, known as Act 10. Evenson says Walker also showed photos from the protests on the call with the Iowa Senate and House Republican caucuses. Evenson says Iowa Senate Republicans initiated the contact with Walker.

The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature is moving to approve a bill that would cut most collective bargaining rights for public sector employees. The bill is scheduled for floor debate today (Tuesday) in the House and Senate, one week after it was made public. Republican lawmakers fast-tracked the legislation amid growing protests at the state Capitol. Hundreds turned out Monday night for a public hearing.

Procedural moves in both legislative chambers could take hours. Iowa’s collective bargaining law currently ensures roughly 180,000 public workers such as teachers, nurses and correctional officers can negotiate over issues including health insurance, extra pay and grievances. The bill would specifically prohibit those discussions, though a key GOP lawmaker says there may be changes to the bill.

Republicans say the legislation will give local officials more flexibility with budgets.

The driver of a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee escaped injury Monday morning, when he stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the SUV to strike a pickup and a Subway sandwich shop, in Glenwood. According to Glenwood Police, the accident happened at around 10:40-a.m., Monday. 65-year old Paul Alan Krietemyer, of Glenwood, was driving the SUV when the incident occurred.

The Jeep struck a legally parked 2012 Dodge Ram pickup, which in-turn hit a legally parked unoccupied 2013 Dodge Dart. After striking the unoccupied pickup, the Jeep continued moving forward before striking the building, causing a brick external wall to crack. Damage to the building was estimated at $5,000. The vehicles sustained a combined $11,500 damage. No citations were issued.

And, the Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) reports two recent arrests. 55-year old Terry Wayne Lewis, of Malvern, was arrested at around 2:10-a.m. today (Tuesday), for OWI/1st offense, and Carrying a Weapon. His bond was set at $3,000. Monday evening, 23-year old Rocky Alan James Runyon, of Glenwood, was arrested following a traffic stop, for Possession of a Controlled Substance, and on a warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was also set at $3,000.

A former jailer and dispatcher for the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office has been charged with three counts of sexual misconduct with an inmate. The charges come after an investigation headed up by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Iowa D-C-I Special Agent in-charge Michael Motsinger says the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office called in the state almost immediately. He says the sheriff’s department felt there was a conflict of interest if they investigated, so they called the D-C-I.

Motsinger says the allegations against the jailer began last summer. Motsinger says they looked into the July allegation and then more information was found in September and they looked at the case again and that led to charges being filed.

Court documents show that Scott Derscheid of Mount Ayr is alleged to have engaged in three sexual acts with two women while they were in custody at the Ringgold County Jail. One incident reportedly occurred in July, the other two in September.

Derscheid resigned from his jailer/dispatcher position at the Ringgold County Jail in October. Derscheid was arrested last month and charged with three counts of sexual misconduct with an offender. Derscheid went before a judge and pleaded not guilty and bond was set at two-thousand dollars cash.

(Radio Iowa)

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports today (Tuesday), 44-year old Daniel Lucien Page, Jr., of Council Bluffs, turned himself-in to Pott. County Corrections Monday afternoon on a warrant for Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness. Page, Jr. was booked into the jail.