Police Caution Residents To Avoid Black Bears

Print Story | Email Story

This bear wandered back into woods but hadn't left the immediate neighborhood around Brayton School by Friday evening.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Black bears have been coming closer to homes around the region this spring. The most recent siting has been near Brayton Elementary School over past few days. 

Neighbors in the area reported seeing the bear in the brook behind the school and he (most likely) was spotted on Friday in a tree near the Northern Berkshire YMCA.

Police are urging people to stay calm if they see a bear and to back away from it slowly.  Black bears are not particularly hostile but can be dangerous if frightened, or over food or cubs.

Bears are attracted by food, so police say:

• Never feed bears and make sure no food, dirty grills, bird feeders (bring them in at night) or accessible trash containers are around to attract them, especially at night. Garbage containers should be frequently washed with a disinfectant solution to remove odors.

• For those with fruit or nut trees, removing fallen fruit or nuts will minimize bear activity in your yard.

The department has more information on its Facebook page.


Tags: bears,   wild animals,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Williamstown 'Supersizes' Independence Day with Events Friday, Saturday

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The town is getting a jump on July 4 with a full day and night of activities on Friday to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
 
The three-day holiday weekend begins on Friday at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting at Spring Street’s Images Cinema. The newly renovated movie house will welcome the community to enjoy its new seats and upgraded audio/visual system while watching previews of upcoming films from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
 
At noon, the action shifts to South Williamstown for a full day and night of activities.
 
The Williamstown Historical Museum is hosting a "Family Fun Fest" from noon to 4 with historic tours, music, games, prizes and a reading of the founding documents.
 
The Green Mountain Boys from Vermont are scheduled to do family-friendly drill and musket demonstrations, and the Berkshire Fife and Drum Corps and Flatbed Jazz Band are slated to perform.
 
The day also includes a walking tour of nearby Southlawn Cemetery and a self-guided tour of Williamstown sites that date back to 1776.
 
"Then the action shifts across the street to Waubeeka Golf Links," Select Board member Matthew Neely, a member of the Williamstown 250 organizing committee, told his colleagues at last week’s board meeting.
 
View Full Story

More Williamstown Stories