Bear in Columbia Falls feasts on garbage

Columbia Falls Police Department took a report from a caller who said that he or she had chased a bear off a property, but that the animal was undeterred and came right back. The caller was concerned that the bear did not appear to be afraid of people. A little while later the bear was spotted in the garbage can and then up a tree. Extra patrol was requested. 

An officer took a report from Riparian Road, where someone found a half-skinned animal. The caller thought the gruesome sight might be a dog. An officer found that the dead animal was a deer. Arrangements were made for proper disposal.

A vehicle on Third Street West was given a 72-hour warning to move a car after someone complained that it had been parked on the corner for nine months. The caller was concerned the vehicle might cause problems when snow flies.

A gas station reported that it had received a fraudulent check.

Whitefish Police Department took a report of a scoter that was left in a driveway on Texas Avenue. Officers used the license plate to track down the scooter’s owner who said that he had sold the scooter many years ago to a high school student. The plates had apparently never been changed. The officer decided to mull over how he wanted to proceed.

Parties were separated after someone reported a drunken brawl outside of a bar.

Smith Valley Fire responded to a chimney fire on U.S. 2.