IT’S TODAY: A lot of important races are on the ballot in
today’s primary election. Of utmost importance, it the election for
judge of McKean County Court of Common Pleas. Many important races
are also on tap in school districts and municipalities so be sure
to exercise your democratic responsibility (and privilege)
today.

BEAR UPDATES: We continue to get reports of bears sniffing
around towns in the region. And, in a couple cases, checking out
the swimming facilities!

Peggy Karrasch dropped us a line last week: “We’ve always had a
bear problem in our area of Chatham Lane (near Hedgehog) but this
year the bear and her cub have been making nightly walks very close
to our house walking past our back door and across the breezeway
between the house and the garage.”

“One night she took a dip in our pond and we had wet paw prints
across our patio.

“Another night muddy paws indicated that she and her cub were
right outside our French doors. We have heard her in the woods in
the evening while walking the dog. With nicer weather coming we are
afraid that she will come down while we are outside in the evening
since this seems to be her regular route.

“We are worried for our safety this summer.”

From another region of the county, we hear from Karly Peterson
of Mount Jewett who has seen a couple bruins.

On one occasion, she saw a large bear drinking from a neighbor’s
pool. It had three of its paws on the edge, and she thought sure it
would fall in!

A bear also took her garbage can and removed the lid which
caused a bit more of a problem than normal. They were getting ready
for the town’s garage sale and had to clean up the trash before it
started.

She saw bears within 20 minutes over the weekend. On Sunday
night in Clermont, she saw a very large bear and then arrived home
at 6 p.m. to have Mr. Bear in her yard again.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “I really believe with all my heart and soul that
there is not one problem that can’t be resolved by good people.
That is the drive for me as a journalist,” said Jim Lehrer, anchor,
PBS, in 2007. As always, today’s quote is provided by the Freedom
Forum.