Black bear continues to cause mischief

A mischievous Whitefish-area bear stopped in town yet again, probably lured by the good time at the Great Northern Oktoberfest in Depot Park. A man on Iowa Avenue first reported the bear heading toward town on the train tracks like a hairy, hibernating hobo.

Several calls came into police about the bear arriving on the north side of the train depot on Depot Street and peering at the festival-goers next door in the park.

A Montana Highway Patrolman quickly arrived and helped keep the bear away from people at the park and Edgewood Place.

Several savvy photographers took photos of a bear (unknown if the same bear) on Central Avenue near the brewery, clearly looking to tip back a pint or two.

The bear left town, but not before trashing several garbage cans, including one on Ramsey Avenue near the golf course.

The Whitefish Police Department responded to but were unable to locate several teenagers driving erratically in a “dually” pickup truck around the soccer fields south of town and “smoking out” the soccer players.

A concerned neighbor reported what appeared to be significant property damage to his neighbor’s garage on Park Avenue. He said it looked like someone had driven directly into the corner of the garage. Multiple vehicle parts were left at the scene, and the caller hoped officers could use those parts to identify the culprit vehicle.

A woman on Montana Avenue called dispatch to report receiving threats from her son, who threatened to “be there” soon. She wanted to get a temporary restraining order.

Another person made a call about the previous caller’s son, describing him as “crazy,” and that he was going to hurt his mother.

Two “transients” were loitering outside a cabinetry shop on Park Avenue, and the reporting party said that the shop had a history of being broken into. Officers told the men to move along, they insisted they were just waiting for the train to Portland.

The “ride guy” called officers about five intoxicated males throwing beer bottles and yelling a charged curse about law enforcement officers made famous by rap group N.W.A. The parties were counseled, the litter was picked up and no charges were filed.

A woman, home alone at her residence on Copperwood Court, called officers about a stranger ringing the doorbell and aggressively trying to open the front door. She was unarmed and wanted whoever was out there removed.