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North Dakota: 4 Bears Casino opens River Willow gaming boat

• North Dakota
• Tribal Gaming
• Three Affiliated Tribes

After six years of development, the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town, N.D., has opened its three-story riverboat casino, the River Willow , which is almost 80 feet long and will ply Lake Sakakawea on the Missouri River with an initial three cruises daily. The craft features 45 slot machines, two live card tables, and a bar on each of its three levels.

The project initially received a five-year permit, but delays required the casino to seek an extension from the federal government and an additional five-year permit was granted.

The christening ceremony was Wednesday with its maiden voyage with the public aboard.

“We’re here today to get this boat christened and put on the water,” said Patrick Packineau, co-general manager of 4 Bears Casino & Lodge told the Williston Herald. “We had a lot of calls today… (we have) a lot of people who want to come.”

Despite a successful opening, the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge took to Facebook on Thursday to cancel its 4th of July schedule because of rising water levels affecting the dock. The planned festivities, which included sailings from 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-midnight with on-board fireworks viewing, did not go ahead.

Starting Wednesday, the River Willow will operate from Wednesday to Sunday, with sailings scheduled for 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 3-6 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $20, and the boat is also available for private bookings.

This year , 4 Bears Casino & Lodge adjusted its gambling age from 21 to 19 years old, opening the venue to more players. The casino is owned by the Three Affiliated Tribes, also known as the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation.

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4 bears casino & lodge hopes to launch its new riverboat this summer.

Submitted Photo The finishing touches have been added to the River Willow Riverboat at New Town.

NEW TOWN — 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, west of New Town, has been working at launching a new riverboat, River Willow Gaming Riverboat, for a few months, but with the drought, water level and other uncertainties it has been proven to be an undertaking.

In conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation) and 4 Bears Casino & Lodge are enduring some hurdles to get the 80-foot ship to shore from land.

River Willow was delivered to New Town in three pieces and has been fully constructed on site. Currently the finishing touches are being completed across the highway from the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, where it proudly announces its presence to onlookers. The riverboat has two huge Cummins engines and the three sections were pieced together on site.

All of the finishing touches are being completed, as 4 Bears is hoping to set sail this summer, said Dave Bren, marketing director.

Unlike the Island Girl, the 4 Bears yacht, the riverboat has the weight capacity to carry the slot machines.

River Willow will have slot machines, blackjack, a food galley, bars and bathrooms on the first deck, said Bren.

The middle deck will have event space, a bar, food or catering areas and bathrooms. The top deck will be a scenic viewing deck with a bar and bathrooms.

During the winter months the riverboat will remain in the water with aerators keeping the winter elements at bay.

Essentially it will be a “casino experience,” along with beautiful views, Bren said.

River Willow will be available for event rentals as was its predecessor, the Island Girl yacht at 4 Bears.

Excursions for the River Willow will run three times daily and for two- to three-hour cruises each at approximately $20 per person. Guests can book their trip by contacting the Events Department at the casino. Points earned from Players Club cards are accepted to book a tour.

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MHA Nation & 4 Bears Casino Introduces New Gaming Riverboat

4 Bears Casino & Lodge, owned by the Three Affiliated Tribes, also known as MHA (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara) Nation,  has recently expanded its entertainment offerings with the addition of the River Willow , a new gaming riverboat that takes visitors on a scenic journey across Lake Sakakawea. This addition marks a significant enhancement to the casino’s amenities, providing guests with a novel and exciting gaming experience on North Dakota ’s largest lake.

The River Willow, a majestic three-story vessel stretching nearly 80 feet in length , embarked on its inaugural public voyage immediately following a christening ceremony held on July 10, 2024. This state-of-the-art riverboat is equipped with 45 slot machines and several live blackjack tables, offering a dynamic gaming environment against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Sakakawea.

According to Three Affiliated Tribal Business Council Chairman Mark Fox, the floating casino is part of a pilot project for gaming boats on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-regulated waters. As reported by the Williston Herald , Fox said that there are other gaming boats in the country, however, the River Willow is the first to be permitted on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-regulated waters.  The gambling vessel runs on the Missouri River, which is located behind the casino & lodge.

A Multifaceted Entertainment Venue

The River Willow is designed to cater to a diverse range of guests and events, according to Indian Gaming . The boat’s lower deck is reserved exclusively for gaming, welcoming guests aged 19 and over to indulge in its extensive array of slot machines and card tables. The second deck offers a flexible space that can accommodate various events, including conventions, meetings, and weddings, making it a perfect venue for both private and corporate gatherings. The topmost deck of the River Willow provides a 360-degree observation area, allowing guests to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding lake and landscape.

Adjacent to the riverboat, 4 Bears Casino & Lodge continues to offer a broad spectrum of amenities. These include additional slots and gaming tables, a range of dining options, a coffee shop featuring Caribou Coffee, and an indoor pool. For guests looking to extend their stay, the lodge offers an RV park, lakeside cabins, and a convenient C Store equipped with a liquor store and car wash.

The River Willow operates two daily cruises from Wednesday through Sunday , providing ample opportunities for guests to enjoy a unique “gaming on the lake” experience. This addition not only enhances the recreational options available at 4 Bears Casino & Lodge but also promises to attract more visitors to the region, boosting local tourism and entertainment industries.

As 4 Bears Casino & Lodge continues to innovate and expand its offerings, the River Willow stands out as a significant addition that complements the existing amenities and provides guests with an unparalleled gaming experience on the water. Both for gaming enthusiasts and for those looking for a venue to host an event, the River Willow offers a refreshing and scenic option.

4 Bears Casino and Lodge Riverboat Tours

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4 bears casino & lodge.

HAVE ONE SERIOUSLY FUN TIME AT 4 BEARS

A short drive from Minot sits an oasis of fun: 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town. Right on Lake Sakakawea, the MHA Nation-operated facility offers gaming, live entertainment, sports book, dining, lodging, water park, RV park and even a convenience store.

4 Bears is celebrating 30 years of operation this summer with several massive giveaways, free play and even a new Corvette Stingray grand prize.

THINGS TO DO: INTERPRETIVE CENTER

Take in the history of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation at the MHA Interpretive Center. Check out cultural displays, taste a traditional meal or even see a performance.

THINGS TO DO: RIVERBOAT

At 4 Bears you can ride the River Willow, the state’s first gaming riverboat. Enjoy three levels with 50 slot machines, live blackjack tables, catering for group events, bathrooms and a full bar on every level. We do daily cruises and private events.

THINGS TO DO: Water Park

In addition to a beachfront area on Lake Sakakawea, 4 Bears boasts a water park complete with spacious splash feature, a lazy river, multiple water slides, a toddler-friendly splash pad and a sunbathing deck.

THINGS TO DO: SPORTS BOOK

Another great way to play and win is with North Dakota’s first-ever sports book. Experience Vegas-style betting on virtually every sport – NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, MMA and more. Place bets with staff or at the kiosks then enjoy the action right on our flat-screen TVs.

DINING OPTIONS

When you’re ready to grab a bite, enjoy the Cache Marketplace where you can enjoy food from the grill, brick oven pizza, a homestyle mini-buffet and a café proudly serving Caribou Coffee.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Don’t forget to take in a show while you’re at 4 Bears. Visit the website to check out a calendar full of concerts, comedy shows, boxing, fights and rodeos this summer.

And the fun at 4 Bears is getting even better this year. We’re expanding our hotel, adding a new sports bar, a spa with both hair and nail salons and massage rooms, a new gift shop, fitness room, fine dining steakhouse and ballroom with a balcony.

This summer, come out to 4 Bears Casino & Lodge with the whole family for fun, food and the chance to win big.

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At 178 miles long with 1,340 miles of shoreline, Lake Sakakawea is the largest man-made lake in North Dakota and the third largest in the United States. 4 Bears Casino & Lodge is conveniently located along this beautiful outdoor haven.

There are 35 recreation areas around Lake Sakakawea, offering a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. From camping, boating and fishing to sailing, hiking and bird watching, there’s no shortage of activities around Lake Sakakawea.

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Tomsk-7/Seversk, Russia

Nuclear facility

The explosion of a nuclear reprocessing facility in Tomsk-7 dispersed large amounts of radioactivity over an area of 120 km² , exposing tens of thousands of people to increased levels of radiation and contaminating air, water and soils for many generations to come. It is considered the most serious Russian nuclear accident after Chernobyl and the Kyshtym accident at Mayak.

Tomsk-7 was a “secret city” in Siberia until 1992, when it reverted to its historical name of Seversk. It housed several nuclear facilities for large-scale production of plutonium and uranium for nuclear fuel and weapons, including reprocessing of spent fuel. The closed city was home to about 100,000 workers and their families. One of the worst accidents in the history of the Russian nuclear industry occurred at the Tomsk-7 reprocessing facility on April 6, 1993. That day, workers were pouring nitric acid into a tank in order to separate plutonium from spent nuclear fuel. It is not clear whether the accident was caused by human or technical error, but it is believed that a lack of compressed air caused the mixture of nitric acid, uranium and plutonium to overheat and reach critical temperatures within a few minutes. The ensuing explosion knocked down walls on two floors of the complex, started a fire and released about 250 m³ of radioactive gas, 8.7 kg of uranium and 500 g of plutonium to the environment. This amounted to about 30 Tera-Becquerel (Tera = trillion) of beta- and gamma-emitters and about 6 Giga-Becquerel (Giga = billion) of plutonium-239. An area of 1,500 m² around the plant was severely contaminated, while the radioactive plume covered a total area of 120 km², where increased levels of radioactivity could be detected. The explosion at Tomsk-7 was ranked level 4 of the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES), comparable to the Tokai-mura nuclear accident in Japan in 1999.

Health and environmental effects

Most acutely affected by nuclear fallout were the villages of Georgievka and Nadezhda. Radioactive snowfall in the days after the disaster created hot-spots with radiation levels of up to 30 µGy/h – approximately 100 times normal background radiation. Soils in the areas affected by radioactive fallout showed significantly increased levels of long-lived radioisotopes such as cesium-137 or strontium-90. Cesium-137 can cause solid tumors and genetic defects in offspring when inhaled or ingested through food or water, while strontium-90 is a known cause for leukemia.

With the help of foreign specialists, initial clean-up operations were able to collect and remove about 577 g of plutonium from the area around Tomsk-7. Interestingly enough, only about 450 g of plutonium had been present in the basin before to the explosion, suggesting unreported prior plutonium leaks from the facility. Even months after the explosion, snow samples continued to show increased levels of radioactive isotopes such as plutonium, uranium, zirconium, ruthenium, cerium, niobium and antimony, continually exposing the population to radioactivity. According to the Bellona Foundation, a Norwegian environmental NGO, about 30 major accidents occurred at the Tomsk-7 nuclear facility, releasing about 10 g of plutonium into the atmosphere each year. The NGO also documents large quantities of nuclear waste from 50 years of plutonium production, which have accumulated on the confines of the nuclear facility. Dumped into underground depots or pumped into uncovered holding pools, they pose a continued threat to health. In 2008, a study found increased levels of plutonium and cesium-137 in soils and water samples, suggesting further leaks.

Some reactors at Tomsk-7 were shut down in June 2008, following the 2003 agreement between Russia and the U.S. concerning the elimination of weapons-grade plutonium production. The reprocessing of spent fuel and the dumping of nuclear waste on the premises of what is now called the Siberian Chemical Combine continue to this day, however. Despite the findings of increased levels of plutonium, strontium, cesium and other radioactive particles in soil and water, no meaningful medical studies were performed on the local population. In 2001, a county court in Tomsk ruled on a lawsuit by contaminated inhabitants of the village of Georgievka against the Siberian Chemical Combine, deciding that the company was to pay each claimant a compensation sum equivalent of 860 US-Dollars. During the hearings, 14 of the 26 claimants passed away, according to the Bellona Foundation. Their health was compromised for the production of nuclear fuel and nuclear warheads. They, and everyone else in the area whose health was affected by the catastrophe at Tomsk-7, are also Hibakusha.

• “The radiological accident at the reprocessing plant at Tomsk.” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), October 1998. www-pub.iaea.org/mtcd/publications/pdf/p060_scr.pdf
• Alimov R. “People vs. Siberian Chemical Combine.” Website of the Bellona Foundation, February 10, 2001. http://bellona.ru/bellona.org/english_import_area/international/russia/nuke_industry/siberia/seversk/22031
• Gauthier-Lafaye F. “Radioisotope contaminations from releases of the Tomsk-Seversk nuclear facility.” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 2008 Apr;99(4):680-93. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17996340
• Goulet M. “Siberia Nuclear Waste – Case 393.” American University Washington. www1.american.edu/ted/sibnuke.htm

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Seversk, Tomsk Oblast, Russia

Seversk is a vibrant city located in the Tomsk Oblast of Russia. Situated in southwestern Siberia, Seversk is nestled on the banks of the Tom River and enjoys a picturesque natural setting. With its unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and modern amenities, Seversk offers a high quality of life to its residents.

As of September 2021, Seversk had a population of approximately 108,000 inhabitants. This number may have changed since then, so it is advisable to refer to the latest census data for the most up-to-date information.

One of the outstanding areas in Seversk is the Sovetsky District. This district boasts a charming atmosphere with tree-lined streets, well-maintained parks, and a sense of community. The housing prices in the Sovetsky District vary depending on the type of property. Apartments can range from affordable to upscale, catering to a wide range of budgets. The transportation system in the district is well-developed, with buses and trams providing convenient access to other parts of the city. Safety is generally not a major concern in this district, as Seversk has a relatively low crime rate compared to larger cities in Russia. Landmarks in the Sovetsky District include the picturesque Sovetskaya Square and the Monument to Fallen Heroes.

Another notable area in Seversk is the Zaton District. Zaton is renowned for its natural beauty, featuring lush forests and serene lakes. The district offers a tranquil lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. Housing prices in Zaton can be higher compared to other areas, as many people seek the idyllic surroundings and proximity to nature. Public transportation is available, although it may be less frequent compared to more central districts. Safety is generally not a concern in Zaton, as the district enjoys a peaceful and secure environment. Landmarks in the area include Zaton Central Park, which offers recreational facilities for residents and visitors alike.

The Industrial District is a key part of Seversk's economy. It is home to several large industrial complexes, including the Siberian Chemical Combine, which specializes in the production of nuclear fuel. The presence of these industries has contributed to the city's economic growth and employment opportunities. The district offers a mix of residential areas and industrial zones. Housing prices in the Industrial District can vary, depending on proximity to amenities and noise levels from nearby industrial facilities. The transportation infrastructure in the district is well-developed to support the movement of goods and personnel. While safety measures are in place, it is important for residents to adhere to any guidelines and regulations related to living near industrial sites.

Seversk is also known for its vibrant cultural scene. The city boasts numerous theaters, museums, and art galleries, providing residents with ample opportunities to engage in cultural activities. The Tomsk State University is located nearby, attracting students from various parts of Russia and abroad. The university's presence contributes to the city's intellectual and academic environment.

The people of Seversk are known for their warmth and hospitality. The city has a strong sense of community, with residents often participating in local festivals, events, and sports activities. The inhabitants of Seversk are hardworking and take pride in their city's industrial achievements. The climate in Seversk is continental, characterized by cold winters and warm summers. Residents are accustomed to the cold weather and often engage in winter sports such as skiing and ice skating.