Bear Allegedly Spotted Heading Toward VA Hospital

Bernards Township police last week responded to a report of a bear spotted on Lyons Road, heading in the direction of the Lyons campus of the Veterans Administration New Jersey Health Care System off Valley Road.

The bear sighting was reported last Wednesday, Sept. 15 at about 8:30 p.m., police said.

Police respond to all reported bear sightings, Police Lt. Steve Elder said. Elder said police have been receiving calls about black bear sightings at least a few times a month, possibly once a week. He said the calls seem to be more than usual.

"There's probably a couple of resident bears," he said.

Police also responded last Tuesday, Sept. 14 at about 10:30 p.m., to a report of an unconscious female motorist parked in a Hyundai vehicle along Martinsville Road. The woman, Tanon Patrick, 34, of Irvington, was transported to the hospital before she was charged with driving while intoxicated, police said.