Medford Police report a black bear has been visiting the Lincoln Street area for at least a month, but that nobody notified authorities until 2:45 a.m. today, when a resident at 114 Lincoln Rd. called 911 to report a "medium sized bear" making quite a commotion in the area where the resident keeps trash.

The officer deployed his flashlight and spotted said bear in a neighboring yard. The bear then ran off into nearby woods.

Officials urged residents to keep trash "properly secured" and to remove bird feeders and pet food (and, presumably, picnic baskets) from the area.

A bear has been ambling about Burlington as well.