Local News
Large black bear found in Greenbrier
LEWISBURG — A 400-pound black bear found last Friday on I-64 is “the largest I’ve ever seen,” said Department of Natural Resources officer Cpl. Barry Kaiser Tuesday.
Kaiser said the male black bear was most likely hit by a vehicle Friday morning while attempting to cross I-64 about a mile-and-a half west of Lewisburg while searching for food. The bear weighed a total of 397 pounds and also weighed 262 pounds after being field dressed, Kaiser said. From head to toe, the bear measured seven feet in length.
“It’s the largest bear I’ve seen in my 29 years in the department,” Kaiser said. “And bears at this time of the year normally weigh less because they are just emerging from their dens after hibernating most of the winter. This is a huge bear.”
Kaiser said the animal had no identification marks, such as ear tags or tattoos, indicating it had not previously been trapped or tracked by DNR officials. Kaiser declined to guess the bear’s age, but has sent a tooth to state wildlife officials for official confirmation.
In 2006, there were 61 known bears killed on West Virginia roads and highways, according to DNR Wildlife Resources Section Chief Curtis Taylor.
State hunters harvested a record 1,807 bears in 2007 during archery and firearms seasons, which broke the old record of 1,730 set in 2003. Greenbrier County hunters accounted for 139 bears during last year’s season, ranking it third highest in the state. An average weight for bears harvested in the state ranges from 130 to 200 pounds.
The bear was skinned and processed at Bluegrass Meat in Caldwell and its meat will be donated to Williamsburg’s annual bear dinner held each spring, Kaiser said. Tentative plans are being made to have the bear mounted or possibly made into a rug to be shown at The Greenbrier.
— E-mail:
cgiggenbach@register-herald.com
- Local News
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Ultrasound faces typical pro-life scrutiny
CHARLESTON — Two big hurdles remain for its bill to clear the Legislature in this final week, but West Virginians for Life says it is gearing up for an ultrasound signing ceremony with Gov. Joe Manchin.
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SCHOOL CLOSINGS and DELAYS
Click HERE to go to the West Virginia Department of Education with up-to-date school closings and delays by county.
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Raleigh schools will make up less than half of snow days
The Raleigh County Board of Education approved school calendar changes Tuesday that will allow the county to make up eight of the 17 school days missed due to weather conditions so far this winter.
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Priorities ranked
Beckley city officials say transportation is their top priority as they work toward getting more grant funding.
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93-year-old woman airlifted to Charleston after Nicholas wreck
A 93-year-old Nicholas County woman was airlifted to a Charleston hospital after a SUV rolled over an embankment, trapping her and the driver for more than 10 hours, police said.
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2nd suspect wanted in stun gun attack
Beckley police are searching for a Mercer County woman they say is the second suspect in an alleged stun gun attack.
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Calendar — Wednesday, March 10, 2010
today's events
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Group requests casino revenue
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — With the official opening of The Greenbrier’s 82,000-square-foot casino coming this spring, Main Street representatives appealed to city council Monday for funding tied to gaming revenues.
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Fireworks bill misfires in House
CHARLESTON — Safety concerns voiced by cities have removed the fuse from a Senate-passed bill legalizing “energetic fireworks.”
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Ultrasound faces typical pro-life scrutiny
