New Jersey bear hunt protested amid likely extension

FREDON TOWNSHIP, N.J. » Protesters are voicing objections as New Jersey’s official bear hunting season draws to a close amid likely extension of the hunt next week.

NJ.com reports that about 60 people endured snowy conditions in Fredon Township protesting the hunt Saturday, the scheduled final day.

Thirteen bears were killed Friday, bringing the year’s total to 370. But the Department of Environmental Protection says only 19 had been tagged prior to the hunt.

Spokesman Rob Geist says under the state game code, if fewer than 27 of the 135 tagged bears — 20 percent — have been killed by Saturday night, the hunt will be extended by up to four days starting next Wednesday.

On Thursday, a hunter killed the 4,000th bear since the bear hunt resumed in 2003, following a three-decade moratorium.

Police: Man cleaning basement reports finding body

EASTON, PA. » Authorities say a man cleaning out the basement of an eastern Pennsylvania home reported finding a decomposing body.

State police said the body was reported Thursday afternoon in the Williams Township residence, and authorities are trying to identify the remains and find out how the person died.

Lt. Joseph Sokolofski said the remains appeared to be several years old. Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said the body was found in bin or tote, and his office is investigating.

Morganelli said in an email that the death was considered suspicious because “Generally, people don’t place themselves in a bin, wrap up the bin and put the lid on top and die.”

Coroner Zachary Lysek said he didn’t anticipate releasing more information until next week.