Minnesota School Issues Warning About Bears

Clearbrook, MN (KROC AM News) - How’s this for a warning from a Minnesota school district? Watch out for bears.

A black bear sow and her two cubs were spotted Tuesday in the NW Minnesota city of Clearbrook - in a culvert about 150 yards from the school.

The Clearbrook-Gonvick School District posted this message on its website:

Safety Announcement, bears have been spotted at the intersection of County Road #5 and Clearwater lake Rd. The school is aware and taking precautions for students. Law enforcement and the DNR are aware of the situation. Please do not have students walk to or from school through the intersection until notified.

Clearbrook Police Chief Dan Gazelka took a picture of the bears and had his own Facebook post:

We DO live in bear country.... to anyone that has children walking home from school just to be aware how close these bears are to the school and talk to your kids about never approaching a baby bear because mama is always close by....Officers and Deputies are keeping an eye on bears at the time of this post.

School District Superintendent Jeff Burgess says it suspected the bears were just coming out of hibernation. As a precaution, the school’s track team was told to use a different road Tuesday afternoon. He suspects this was the same bear that was at the same site a year ago. And coincidentally - the school's mascot is a bear.

It’s possible the bears have moved on. The Police Dept. had this update on its Facebook site late Wednesday morning:

The bears have moved on. Conservation Officer confirms both culvert and den are empty...we will continue to monitor and update if they return

News Update: A Caledonia man has been charged in Olmsted County Court with stealing money from a dementia patient.