A gambling hall in western Iowa that shut down last summer should be reopening before the end of the year. Widespread flooding of the Missouri River forced the closure of CasinOmaha last June near the town of Onawa, about halfway between Omaha and Sioux City. The casino is owned by Nebraska’s Omaha Tribe. Tribal leaders say flood damage will be repaired and the casino will have a new look and a new name when it reopens. It’ll be the Blackbird Bend Casino. Construction is getting underway this month and the plan is to have the facility operational in late December.

(Radio Iowa)

After apologizing to his victim, her family, his wife and family, the Anita Community School District and the court, a Cass County man was sentenced today (Monday), to a total of four-years in prison on two-counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor by a School Employee. But Fourth Judicial District Judge Greg Steensland suspended 65-year old William Glenn Foulkes‘ sentence,  and instead ordered the man placed on supervised probation for a period of two-years. Foulkes will reside at a Residential Correctional Facility (RCF) for at least six-months, beginning when space becomes available at the facility.

As part of his sentence, Foulkes will be placed on the State’s Sex Offender Registry for a period of 10-years. He must have no criminal law violations during his two-years of supervised probation, successfully complete a Sex Offender Treatment program of four-to six-months, and submit a DNA sample for profiling purposes. He will also be required to make restitution to the victim (with whom he is allowed no contact for a period of five-years), and be required to pay fines amounting to $650, plus court costs and related fees.

Foulkes, his voice choking up, told the court he apologized to his family for “The embarrassment and pain” his actions have caused. He apologized to the court for his “Inappropriate and illegal behavior and actions.” Foulkes said “I know I have let a lot of people down,” and that he hopes everyone will begin the process of healing.

Foulkes’ Attorney, F. Montgomery Brown told KJAN News he thinks the sentence was a “Just resolution, given Mr. Foulkes’ history and lack of prior criminal record, his military service.” He said also the sentence was “fair,” and “Sufficient to protect the public.” Brown said Foulkes is a low risk to re-offend and that the incident “Appears to be an abhorrent behavior on his part.” The judgement says Foulkes has 30-days to appeal the sentence if he so chooses, but  that is not expected to happen. The Appeals bond was set at $10,000, but all other outstanding bonds were exonerated. Foulkes will remain free pending his placement in the RCF.

Foulkes, a former Anita Community School District teacher pled guilty to the charges on September 4^th, in a voluntary plea agreement, in exchange for a felony charge of Sexual Exploitation, and 47 other Aggravated Misdemeanor charges of Sexual Exploitation being dropped.

Foulkes admitted to kissing a juvenile female on numerous occasions while teaching the student in a math program, from August 2009 until November 11th, 2010. He resigned from his teaching position in November 2010.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) released a report on recent activity. Officials say on Sept. 22nd, 19-year old Thomas J. Bersch, of Omaha, was arrested on a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charge, and, 28-year old Isaac Calvin Hayes, of Hamburg, was arrested for Public Intoxication.

On Sept. 27th, Fremont County deputies investigated an incident of theft at the Fremont County Landfill, and on Sept. 25th, a Clarinda man reported an incident of Larceny/Theft.

Officials said also, that on Sept. 17th, David Burns, of Sidney, was driving a 2000 Chevy Silverado pickup westbound on Highway 2, by the Interstate 29 exit (Exit 10), when he was approached by a 2001 Mercury Cougar, driven by Makayla Smith, of Hamburg. Smith failed to slow down in time, and hit the pickup. Burns suffered possible neck and back injuries, and was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Nebraska City, NE, for evaluation.