John Campbell roars, officials issue warning

Just hours after radio commentator John Campbell complained this morning that nobody ever issues official bear warnings, the Sault Ste. Marie Conservation Authority has done so.

Here's what Campbell said as part of his morning opinion piece on E-Z Rock 100.5:

"For some reason they are reluctant to say anything about bears. I get sheets of tips on how to deal with mosquitoes, fires, the lure of gambling, the intoxications of alcohol, and what to do if confronted by a bear.

"But so far there is no reminder about using City parks. You’d get the feeling that goose manure is the big threat when you visit a City park.

"As far as I am concerned there should be a gate at Wishart Park and a sign saying keep out before someone gets hurt. Maybe there are other places we shouldn’t be going., or if we do we should be darned careful."

Official bear warning

No word so far from the City, but here's the full text of an advisory issued this afternoon by the Sault Ste. Marie Conservation Authority under the headline "Beware of Bears":

"The Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority is warning people to beware of bears.

"There have been numerous bear sightings in the Hiawatha Highlands Conservation Area as well as various other locations within the City.

"The danger is heightened at this time of year with bears searching for food and females protecting their cubs.

"The Conservation Authority is urging people to use extreme caution in forests and all conservation areas. Thank you."

Your best source for official bear news

For the latest official news about bear sightings in the City, click on the "Local Police Beat" link at the top right of this page. This information is updated daily around 7:30 a.m. with all the latest overnight police news, and is one of SooToday's most popular features.

SooToday.com will also be posting an article, either late tonight or sometime tomorrow, about an upcoming discussion of the bear problem at Monday's meeting of City Council. To read about Ward 2 Councillor Brady Irwin's recent encounter with a bear, please click here