Ottawa County, MI (WGHN) – A reported bear sighting Friday morning prompted Hudsonville Public Schools to keep students indoors as a safety precaution.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched around 9:15 a.m. to the area of Baldwin Street and 42nd Avenue after receiving multiple reports of a bear. Residents in the Schoolside Drive and Hidden Lake Drive neighborhoods told authorities they had seen the animal.
Surveillance video later confirmed the bear was in the area between 6:30 a.m. and 7:10 a.m. While deputies were unable to locate it during their search, the information was passed along to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
With several school buildings nearby, officials notified the district, which opted to keep students inside while continuing normal school activities.
Authorities remind the public that bears are generally not aggressive but can be unpredictable, especially if they feel threatened or are protecting food sources or cubs. Anyone encountering a bear that appears dangerous should call 911.
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