Bear sighting at Prince William County schools

GAINESVILLE, Va. (AP) -- Police and school officials in western Prince William County are responding to bear sightings at a couple of schools.

School system spokesman Phil Kavits said a bear was seen Tuesday morning at PACE West school in Gainesville. A bear was later seen at Tyler Elementary, also in Gainesville. School officials there moved activities inside and called police as a precaution.

Police spokesman Nathan Probus said they received a report that a bear had tried to paw its way into a car in the Tyler parking lot. Police and animal control officers were at the school Tuesday afternoon if needed.

School officials also reported a bear sighting Friday at Tyler.

Probus said bear sightings in the more rural, western part of the county that includes Gainesville have increased recently.