Elma rest area reopens after bear wakes up, leaves

Published 11:28 am Monday, June 7, 2010

ELMA — A rest area on Highway 8 near Elma is back open after a snoozing black bear woke up and left.

Transportation Department crews closed the rest stop about 5 p.m. Sunday because the bear was sleeping in a tree between the rest rooms and the truck parking area.

Fish and Wildlife Department spokesman Craig Bartlett says the bear woke up and left.

The rest area was back open by this morning.