LEWISTON — One woman reported seeing it early Wednesday near Val’s Drive-In, an eatery on outer Sabattus Street.

Others say they have not seen it, but HOPE to experience a sighting soon. Still others were concerned about their pets and small children.

There is nothing like a bear sighting in Lewiston to get a little buzz going.

Police put out a notice Wednesday morning that a black bear has been seen wandering in the areas of outer Sabattus Street and on outer Pleasant Street. The local animal control officer was on the case along with the Maine Wardens Service.

Theresa Brousseau lives on Ridgewood Avenue, off Sabattus Street near Val’s Drive-In. She said she spotted the bear at about 5:30 a.m. in a neighbor’s yard.

“I went out to the end of my driveway and, oh, my God, that is a bear,” Brousseau said.

She said she went back into her house after spotting the animal and was not sure where the bear went. Her neighbor reported seeing the beast later Wednesday afternoon, Brousseau said.

“She came running down the street, then down next to my yard and into the woods. She sure can run fast!” said Diane Mathieu Duplissis, who also lives on Ridgewood Avenue.

With the announcement came the usual warnings. In particular, police advised local residents to keep their garbage secured so they do not lure the bear with the sweet scent of household trash.

Police said bear sightings have been reported, and there are confirmed the sightings through video surveillance footage.

Dozens weighed in on the police Facebook post. Most of the commenters had not seen the bear, but a few reported spotting other wildlife, including at least one moose, wandering in Lewiston.

Experts say that although bears may be drawn into populated areas by the scent of human food, they generally want nothing to do with people.

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