Around the State: March 20, 2023

The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories.

Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state.

4 Bears Casino & lodge adds hotel tower

4 Bears Casino and Lodge recently announced it will begin a major renovation, adding a seven-story hotel tower. The property is located on the western shore of Lake Sakakawea between Minot and Williston in New Town, N.D.

The original 4 Bears Motor Lodge began in the 70s with 40 rooms. In 1993, a casino was added, followed over the years with various expansions and improvements, including restaurants, an event center, marina, RV park, water park, convenience store/car wash/liquor store and River Willow gaming boat.

The overall $95 million project includes an 18,000-square-foot demolition of the existing two-story hotel, 108,000 square feet of new construction and 20,200 square feet of renovation. Upon completion, 4 Bears Casino and Lodge will have 264 rooms.

The new hotel tower will add 90 guest rooms, gaming, offices and a 3,100-square-foot 1st-floor sports bar with dining room and gaming stations. The extensive project also features a 7th-floor, 2,500-square-foot ballroom, meeting rooms and a fine dining steakhouse with glass-surround dining.

The addition will also include a new Sakakawea Spa with couples’ massage, a gift shop, fitness room, and a hair, nail and pedi salon. The project also upgrades the property’s entrance lobby and 1st floor kitchen, and dedicated glass-backed elevator to the 7th-floor suite.

(Story taken from the Mountrail County Promoter)

Williston Bistro is damaged

An as-yet-unidentified driver took out the entry doors to Basil Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro in downtown Williston early on February 27.

The Williston Police Department is investigating the hit-and-run crash, said Heather Cook, public information officer.

Although the restaurant did not have a video camera set up the night of the crash, owner Simon Chan, 45, said nearby businesses do have camera footage of the vehicle.

“I don’t have the footage for the crash, but I went to two banks here, one across the street and one on the corner of Main and Broadway, and fortunately they do,” Chan said.

Chan estimated the damage at “maybe about $50,000.” In addition to the doors, one of the walls at the entrance sustained severe damage.

(Story taken from The Journal, Crosby)

Law Enforcement update on shooting incident

Statement from the Watford City Police Department:

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, at approximately 5 p.m., the Watford City Police Department began an investigation into a shooting that had occurred in the 500 block of 2nd St. NE. Over the course of the last two weeks during the investigation juvenile and adult suspects were identified and it was discovered a second shooting had occurred on Feb. 14, also.

At approximately 4:09 p.m., the first shooting occurred at the roundabout at Wolf Den Parkway and Fox Hills Parkway S. During this incident, at least one round was fired and struck a vehicle. The shot that was fired at this shooting would have been in the direction of the Watford City High School, Fox Hills Elementary School and Fox Hills Village.

At approximately 4:59 p.m., North Dakota State Radio dispatched the Watford City Police Department to the 500 block of 2nd St. NE for the report of a shooting. During this shooting, three rounds were fired at a residence. No one was injured and no damages were done.

Charges related to the shooting have been filed against three juveniles. Further charges against adult suspects may come forth later.

(Story taken from the McKenzie County Farmer)

Maintenance man charged in property theft

A Watford City man has been charged with three felonies following theft of property from an apartment complex garage.

Two families living in the Pheasant Ridge apartment complex went to their garages on January 21, and found them completely emptied of their belongings. The two couples share an apartment, but each rented its own garage. Upon finding all of their belongings missing, they contacted the Watford City Police Department (WCPD) to report their missing property.

Upon arrival, officers saw that both garages had been completely emptied and began an investigation to locate the missing property.

The property manager was contacted and it was found that no one had authority to use those garages, so maintenance worker Todd Allen Foster was asked to empty both garages and put all the items into garage 114, a separate garage for a standard 30 day hold.

Foster told officers that he put all of the valuable items into 114, and threw the rest away into various dumpsters around the property. When asked, he said he kept two plastic totes that he emptied to use for work.

In a follow up visit with officers, the property manager said she assisted the victims in locating and retrieving their belongings from garage 114 and the dumpsters around the facility, but some items were still missing.

Upon canvassing the area, officers found Foster’s vehicle and could see a number of the mission items located inside.

Foster was charged with three Class C felonies.

(Story by Kristen Jones, the McKenzie County Farmer)

Tioga hosts first ankle replacement surgery

The Tioga Medical Center made history last month when its operating room hosted the first ankle replacement surgery in western North Dakota.

The Feb. 4 procedure marked the first time a patient received an artificial ankle joint in any hospital west of Bismarck in North Dakota.

“This is a big deal because this is a surgery that is usually in bigger centers. Fargo and Bismarck. Minot right now doesn’t even do them,” said Dr. Tyson Williams, the foot surgeon who performed the surgery in Tioga. “We’re looking at the only place in western North Dakota that right now does these, as far as I’m aware of.”

The total ankle replacement is a proven solution to severe ankle arthritis these days, but it’s only in the last few years that it’s become commonplace as the preferred method.

(Story by Jacob Orledge, the Tioga Tribune)