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By: Brendan McDonough

Reporter for North Tonawanda

And who says nothing ‘wild’ happens in North Tonawanda!

In the morning of June 22nd, 2018, around 7:30am, residents first reported seeing a black bear roaming through the NT neighborhood.

The black bear, who was described as male and two-three years of age, was peaceful and minded his own business as he traversed the neighborhood. Although, he was a bit intrusive at times as he walked in and out of residents backyards. Taking in all of the fine gardening and landscaping work of residents I’m sure!

There was, oddly enough, another black bear seen making its way through the Town of Amherst one day before. It is unclear whether they are the same, or just related.

Perhaps the bear in NT was taking a page out of Yogi Bear’s playbook and looking for a left-behind picnic basket. Personally, I think he was coming to NT for the famous farmer’s market that is held on Saturday mornings. He has stuck around in the area, so anything is possible, right?

In all seriousness, people at the farmer’s market this morning should stay alert just to be safe.

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After the bear was first spotted in the morning, North Tonawanda Police Department personnel formed a eprimeter around him while simultaneously trying to push him in a northerly direction; outside the residential area.

The Department of Environmental Conservation, who came in to assist with the situation, remained in the area till the afternoon hours to ensure the bear did not return back to the residential area.

The last seen location of the bear was in Wheatfield.

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Stories, such as these, are always a ‘wild’ roller coaster ride to cover. There are constantly updates coming in and it is impossible, while at the same time trying to keep the public up-to-date with what is happening on the ground, to verify everything.

There were reports yesterday from multiple residents in North Tonawanda that the bear was either shot or tranquilized. These reports ended up being false.

There were even reports from more than five residents that there were, in fact, two bears roaming through the city. These reports also ended up being false.

Although we prefaced all reporting yesterday by saying that “there are reports” coming in about whatever topic, they are, until verified, merely that; reports / updates.

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The aftermath of the North Tonawanda Bear-a-Palooza has been incredibly entertaining to watch.

TWO, yes two (2), different businesses in the city are selling t-shirts about surviving the bear encounter! So the important question is then, where can you find these t-shirts?

A comic book store in the city, Pulp 716, has teamed Shaley Creations to design T-shirts ($18.99) and car decals ($4.99). The first batch of each are available this morning.

Pulp 716 “I Survived the 2018 Bear Scare”

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Another business, Submasters NT, will be selling and offering a free slice of pizza with every t-shirt purchase, which will cost $15. The t-shirts will be available in both orange and pink.

The proceeds are going to Stella, a young girl in North Tonawanda that is fighting cancer. If you are interested in purchasing a shirt, please visit Submasters or call (716) 946-3715.