Go Back

 

Bear Comes Calling Near Downtown

    An interesting visitor welcomed residents coming home Monday evening in a section of downtown Umatilla.  A black bear was reported in the area of Cassady Street and Orange Avenue around 5:30 p.m., making its way south through the eastern section of town.
    “I was getting groceries out of my car,” said North Orange Avenue resident Rosie Short, “A man stopped to tell me a bear was coming this way.”
    Sure enough, a few minutes later the bruin made its way past Short's home.
    The bear didn’t appear to be interested in the humans it was encountering along its way, as Short said it was moving with what appeared to be a purpose.
    “I didn’t really feel scared.”
    Bears 'in town' are uncommon, but not unheard of occurrences.  Throughout the years, bears have been reported in neighborhoods periodically.