WINNAVEGAS WELCOMES DUCKS

SIOUXLAND---AFTER NEARLY TWO MONTHS OF BEING CLOSED, WINNAVEGAS CASINO OPENED ITS DOORS THURSDAY, THANKS TO A COUPLE DUCKS.

THE RISING MISSOURI RIVER TURNED THE CASINO INTO A PRIVATE ISLAND, SURROUNDED BY A BERM.

THE WATER FLOODED THE ROAD, WHICH FORCED EMPLOYEES OUT OF THE CASINO AND BLOCKED PATRONS FROM ENTERING.

WINNEBAGO TRIBE CHAIRMAN JOHN BLACKHAWK DECIDED TO ELEVEATE THIS PROBLEM BY PURCHASING TWO AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLES, KNOW AS DUCKS.

CASINO-GOERS WILL PARK AT THE NEARBY SHELL STATION AND BE TRANSPORTED THROUGH THE SHALLOW WATER TO THE CASINO.

DURING THE SHORT RIDE, THE TIRES WILL MOST LIKELY NEVER LEAVE THE GROUND AND THE PROPELLERS WILL NEVER RUN BECAUSE THE WATER ISN'T HIGH ENOUGH TO REQUIRE THE DUCK'S "BOAT" FEATURES.

BLACKHAWK SAYS WHILE MANY WINNAVEGAS EMPLOYEES WERE WITHOUT WORK, THEY HELPED OTHER RESIDENTS TRY TO SAVE THEIR PROPERTY WITH SANDBAGS.

THE DUCKS CARRY UP TO 28 PEOPLE AT A TIME AND WILL RUN FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 A.M.

PATRONS WILL PARK AT THE NEARBY SHELL STATION AND PAY $10 TO BOARD THE DUCKS AND RECEIVE A $10 FREE PLAY FOR CASINO PLAY IN RETURN.