Monroe Man Doing Yard Work Looks Up to See a Black Bear

A Holly Place resident was using a weed wacker to cut his grass late Monday afternoon when he looked up to see a black bear ... 10 feet away from him.

Monroe Animal Control Officer Ed Risko said the bear continued moving across the street and into a neighbor's yard, heading north-west into the tree line. An officer searched the area, but could not find the animal.

Risko said the sighting showed normal activity at this time of year as bears gather food for the winter.

No other bear sightings were reported during the week, according to Risko, who said a State DEEP Bear report was filed and a bear fact sheet with common cautions was provided to the Holly Place resident.

Some bear dos' and Don'ts can be found in this Oxford Patch article.