Adult bear passes through Ashland

Ashland police last night were asking residents to stay inside while a black bear made its way out of the downtown area.

Police were summoned at 7:13 p.m. after the bear was spotted in a residential section of downtown near the railroad tracks, said Lt. James Shelhorse.

Officers located the animal, described as an adult bear, in a wooded yard on Maple Street, Shelhorse said. Officers then contacted the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

The game department recommended that residents stay inside, bring their pets inside and give the bear space as it moves through the residential area.

-- Reed Williams