Large bear takes a stroll near school in Ashtabula
ASHTABULA, Ohio (WJW) – A Northeast Ohio man got quite a surprise when he checked his cameras.
Joe Yankie lives in Ashtabula near Saint John School.
Local store sells $150,000 scratch-off winner
He said Wednesday night a big bear crossed right below his bedroom window at about 9 p.m., headed in the direction of the school.
Yankie said he's never seen the bear around his home in the past.
Fan falls from 21-foot outfield wall at Pirates game
He said the rabbits and chickens and even garbage left out were undisturbed at his house and his neighbors' homes.
Black bears are an endangered species in the state, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
According to ODNR, the best places to spot a black bear in Northeast Ohio are Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
In 2022, there were 285 black bear sightings reported in 52 Ohio counties, ODNR reported.
Black bear mating season begins in May and runs well into the summer.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Black bear spotted in Licking County for the first time in over two decades
PATASKALA, Ohio (WCMH) – A black bear was spotted in Licking County for the first time in more than 20 years on Tuesday morning. The bear was observed in a field just east of Pataskala, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Outside of the Tuesday sighting, the last confirmed report of a black bear in Licking County was in 2003. Before that, five black bears were spotted in the county dating to 1993, when the agency began documenting sightings. Columbus agency says travel ban impedes refugees from family reunification The species is considered endangered in Ohio, which has an estimated population of about 50-100 black bears. The state saw a significant decline in black bears in the mid-1800s due to unregulated hunting and extensive deforestation, according to the department. Black bears are most commonly found in 'eastern forested areas' in the state, according to ODNR. Most of the sightings are of young male bears roaming large distances in search of females, who tend to establish a territory and stay there. On Monday morning, just days before the Licking County sighting, a black bear was spotted in Guernsey County. The bear was seen on Country Club Road moving toward Byesville, according to the Guernsey County sheriff's Facebook page. Sightings in Guernsey County are more common than in Licking County. Guernsey has seen 30 confirmed sightings since 1993, including two last year. There have been 'several other' confirmed reports so far in 2025, mostly in the northeast and southeast portions of the state, according to the ODNR. A spokesperson said the department typically does not compile the exact number of sightings until the end of a given year. How a small town was revamped into 'Ohio's most loveable downtown' In Ohio, sightings of the animal are most common from late May through early July, the state department said. Black bears are the only species of bear found in the state. The ODNR recommends residents who live in an area with a recent sighting keep their trash inside a garage, remove bird feeders, keep pet food inside, clean grease from outdoor grills and pick any fruit from their yard to avoid attracting the species. If an individual does encounter a black bear, they should remain calm, avoid eye contact and slowly back away, according to the state agency. Residents should not run or climb trees, because these actions may provoke a chase. If a bear does begin to approach, the department suggests people raise their hands above their head to appear larger, and clap or shout to scare it away. It is illegal to shoot or injure a black bear in Ohio. Of the about 750,000 black bears in North America, the species kills fewer than one person per year on average, according to the North American Bear Center. More than 400,000 Ohioans see driver's license suspensions lifted under new law 'Generally, black bears are non-aggressive and prefer to flee from the area as soon as they are aware of your presence,' the ODNR's website reads. The Ohio Division of Wildlife is monitoring sightings and will respond if a black bear becomes a nuisance or public safety concern. Sightings can be reported to the division on its website or by calling 800-945-3543. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
‘Deer me, what a rescue!' Firefighters save young buck stuck in rocks
Some firefighters came to the rescue of a young buck in Northern Ohio. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Cleveland firefighters responded to reports of a 'deer in distress' behind the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Sunday, according to a social media post. TRENDING STORIES: 1 dead after shooting near Fairborn apartment complex 3 new businesses coming to Huber Heights; Neighbors 'feel good' about continued development Did you get a text like this? Ohio BMV warns it's a scam When Ladder 23 arrived, they found a young buck had been swimming in the harbor and was lying on the rocks next to the wall. Cleveland Fire said on its Facebook page that it worked with the Cleveland Metroparks and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to help the animal. 'They were able to load the exhausted animal into a Stokes basket used for water rescues,' the department said. 'They strapped him down and relocated him to the wooded area near Gordon Park.' [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Local community college closed due to power outage
KIRTLAND, Ohio (WJW) — Lakeland Community College announced classes were canceled for Monday, June 9, due to a power outage impacting the campus. According to a post on the school's Facebook page, 'All classes, offices, activities and events on campus are cancelled. This includes in-person, online/virtual and hybrid classes.' Speeding Volkswagen kills two in local crash: Police FirstEnergy reported some power outages in the area of the school. It wasn't clear what caused the outage or when power was expected to be restored. Additional alerts will be sent to students, faculty and staff should there be future closings or delays. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
