BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A black bear was spotted around noon in West Bethlehem on Monday.
It made its way from Fairview Park before moving to the corner of Prospect and Franklin streets. That’s where California Drum Shop owner John SanFilippo spotted him.
“I got on my bicycle really quick…then I went into the alley…and sure enough, there was the bear” SanFilippo said.
“It was neat,” he said. “It made my day.”
However, some others weren’t pleased to see him, like Aileen Bouton, a Bethlehem resident and mother.
It also made dismissal at Nitschmann Middle School far from normal. The school sent out an email earlier Monday, warning parents of a bear in the area and recommending that they pick up their kids who usually walk home.
“We do have a lot of kids walking that way to get home…not every parent can pick up their kid, so it’s a little scary,” Bouton said.
While parents lined up in cars, the kids didn’t seem to mind.
“There were a few people who were scared, but there was no one who was, like, fearing for their life,” said Nitschmann student Brayden Hamaker.
In fact, some in the neighborhood are even now on a first name basis with their furry visitor, with SanFilippo affectionately calling the bear, “Barney.”