News

No, the bears aren't stolen

Renzo Maietto poses with Lady Verbania.

By Bill Moss, Published: July 20, 2016

The news that Renzo Maietto's bear was stolen last night was greatly exaggerated.

Verbania’s Lady Bear was missing from the sidewalk outside his restaurant at 502 N. Main St. when he arrived at work on Wednesday. He called the police and reported it. It didn't take long for police to crack the case.

"It's not stolen," Capt. Bruce Simond told the Lightning Wednesday afternoon. "It's getting clearcoat on it."

The city is removing the Main Street bears three at time and taking to a body shop for the coat that keeps them shiny.

"It was planned. There will be others," Simonds said. "They didn't notify the bear owner or us. We just caught one of their guys (from public works) and said, 'Hey, one of the bears is missing.' He said 'it's not missing. We're just clearcoating.'"

Maietto was relieved that his bear has just out for some cosmetic work.
"Soon the Italian Lady Bear will be back home freshly rejuvenated," he said in an email. "Happy ending for our mascot."