(Radio Iowa) — Negotiations are starting between unions representing state employees and representatives of Governor Kim Reynolds’ Administration. The current labor contracts for state workers expire July 1st. AFSCME Council 61 represents nearly 20-thousand state employees. The union is scheduled to present its contract proposal on Thursday. The union that represents about 600 people who work in state law enforcement agencies is asking for three-percent pay hikes in each of the next two years. Negotiators for the State Police Officers Council say with low unemployment in the state, it’s difficult to keep and attract employees who’ll work in such a high-stress profession. Iowa United Professionals represents about 24-hundred state employees who work in social services and scientific occupations. That union says after two years of zero wage growth for its members, their request is for a four-and-a-half percent pay hike in each of the next two years.

Negotiators representing the Reynolds Administration will make a counter-offer in two weeks.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department reports a woman wanted on a warrant for Violation of Parole, turned herself-in to the Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday afternoon. Once the warrant for 56-year old Dawn Michelle Rickabaugh, of Mitchellville, was confirmed, the woman was taken into custody and turned over to Jail staff without incident. Rickabaugh was being held without bond in the Pott. County Jail.

(Updated) — The Creston Police Department reports 35-year old Beth Kulow, of Creston, was arrested Tuesday at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Kulow, the former Dean of Students at Southwestern Community College, in Creston, was taken into custody on a Union County warrants for charges that include Falsifying Public Documents, and three counts of Theft in the 2nd Degree. She was later released on a $5,000 bond. The charges were the result of a lengthy investigation into finances at SWCC. Kulow is accused of approving the use of school funds for private expenses including travel and her wedding. She resigned from her position in October.

A Winterset man reported to Creston Police, Tuesday, that his Aunt had cash taken from her purse while she was at a location on W. Prairie Street. The incident, which amounted to a loss of about $100, occurred sometime between Dec. 2nd and Dec. 4th. And, a Creston man reported to Police Tuesday morning, that sometime between Nov. 29th and Dec. 3rd, someone broke into his shop located in the 600 block of W. Montgomery Street, and took several tools. The loss was estimated at $2,000.

CEDAR RIVER, Iowa (AP) — A Cedar Rapids woman who drove her car with her two children inside into the Cedar River on a chilly March evening has been given probation. Linn County court records say 35-year-old Alicia Cole pleaded guilty to two felony counts of child endangerment causing injury. She was sentenced Tuesday to three years of probation and two five-year prison terms that were suspended. The judge also suspended a total of $1,500 in fines.

Authorities say firefighters and police were sent to Cedar Rapids’ Mohawk Park around 4:45 p.m. on March 11. They found that boaters already had helped Cole and the two children from the sinking car. A court document says all three “were exposed to potential hypothermia and drowning.”

The Walnut City Council is set to meet 5-p.m. Thursday (Dec. 6), during a regular session. On their agenda is a review of bids for Solid Waste Disposal, and a motion to execute an agreement with a contractor for the residential hauling of solid waste. The Council will also review the City’s Health Insurance package, and discuss the Walnut Community Center, including: adding liquor liability to the City Insurance plan; use of facility and gymnasiums; fire extinguisher and service elevator inspections.

In other business, the Walnut City Council will discuss the Property Maintenance Code, and take action on the third and final reading of an Ordinance adopting the 2015 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC). City officials say the IPMC is designed to ensure rental properties are safe, have smoke alarms, and that the electrical and heating systems are safe. There is no set inspection for regular housing, unless the home is new construction or having extensive remodeling.

The Council will also discuss and possibly take action on the 1^st reading of an amended Ordinance pertaining to Water Rates for Service, followed by a possible waiving of the 2^nd and 3^rd readings. They will also consider the possible adoption of a Resolution Transferring Funds from the City’s Water Fund into The Short-Lived Asset Reserve Fund.