Mountain lion sightings lead to precautions

Reports of a small mountain lion slinking around St. Maries the past couple days have public school officials taking a few extra precautions the rest of this week.

Phil Cooper, of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, said Wednesday that the reports are from the public and haven't been confirmed.

He said two Fish and Game officers on Wednesday were in the area of the sightings, but neither had spotted the animal nor seen any signs of it having traveled through town. Local law enforcement also searched for the mountain lion.

The sightings were near the bus garage on North 15th Street, at the BMX track, and above the playground area at Heyburn Elementary.

Joe Kren, superintendent of the St. Maries Joint School District, said youngsters are being kept indoors during the day. School officials began taking extra precautions Tuesday morning, after the first reports were made.

After-school sports practices for St. Maries Middle School have been canceled, he said Wednesday.

He said supervision of students during bus loading times was increased.

School officials also have talked with parents of students who walk to and from school.

He said the safety precautions will continue through Friday.