Bear sighted in downtown Ashland

Ashland police are asking residents to stay inside while a black bear makes its way out of the downtown area.

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

Officers located the animal, described as a full-sized 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.