53º

WEATHER ALERT

SANTA

Christiansburg’s top Christmas lights display now honoring frontline and first responder heroes

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – There’s always a debate around this time of year whether to keep your Christmas decorations up or take them down. After an award-winning display, a Christiansburg man is keeping his up, but he’s adding some red and blue to his white lights. The Town of Christiansburg awarded Jeff and Lisa Gandee a trophy for winning the town’s first-ever Christmas decoration contest. The Gandees have now turned their elaborate Christmas decor into a patriotic display. They encourage the families near and far to drive by and check out the display at 1460 Sleepy Hollow Road in Christiansburg.

Liberty University professor featuring in upcoming Santa history documentary

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A Liberty University history professor is giving a lesson, not on topics like war or democracy, but on Santa Claus. Dr. Carey Roberts is appearing in a new documentary titled “The True Saint Nicholas.”It’s about how the man with the long white beard and the red suit has changed with America’s cultural shifts. Roberts said the jolly old man we know him as today was created in the 1920s and 30s when Coca-Cola hired a Swedish artist for a national campaign. “He drew on this New York image of Santa Claus and really produced the modern Santa Claus we have today, so it’s a Southern beverage company, it’s a Swedish immigrant and it’s a New York tradition,” said Roberts. He said before that time, most Americas would’ve been visited by “Father Christmas” or “Saint Nicholas.”

Radford police dispatchers assisted kids on Christmas Eve Santa search

RADFORD, Va. – It takes a lot of work for Santa to make his yearly trip around the world. Thankfully, he’s receiving some help from first responders in the New River Valley on Christmas Eve. Radford’s police dispatchers are tracking Santa’s every move and can tell kids who call them exactly where he is. The dispatchers-turned-elves say they signed up to help Santa so that kids know who to call on the other days of the year. The elves were taking calls until 11 p.m. on Friday.

Astronauts beam Christmas message of hope to Earth from aboard International Space Station

Seven astronauts are celebrating the holiday season aboard the International Space Station, but that isn't stopping them from beaming some holiday cheer back to Earth. "Resilience" is also the name they gave to the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that launched four of the astronauts to the space station last month. Earlier this month, a SpaceX Dragon cargo ship arrived at the ISS with new supplies — including Christmas gifts and fixings. The Federal Aviation Administration cleared Santa for the flight to space on Wednesday, granting him with a special commercial space license for a crewed mission to the ISS aboard his "StarSleigh-1 space capsule, powered by the Rudolph Rocket." "Let's face it, 2020 was a difficult year and we all could use some special holiday cheer that only Santa can deliver," said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson.

cbsnews.com

Follow Santa’s Christmas journey with NORAD’s Santa Tracker

Thursday marks Christmas Eve and you know what that means... Santa Claus is coming to town! CLICK HERE TO TRACK SANTA’S JOURNEYEvery Christmas Eve, there are men and women in the military who have the best job of all. They get to follow along as Jolly Saint Nick treks around the world to deliver presents to everyone on the nice list. The North American Aerospace Defense Command created the Santa Tracker, which allows you to see where Santa is in the world and just how close he is to delivering your presents. You can follow along with NORAD’s interactive map or on Twitter where officials are updating where Santa is.

Letters to Santa in a Colorado mailbox gives unique look at 2020

A new coat of paint and a sign that says Santa made her home at 29973 Spruce Rd. After getting just 43 letters last year, Santa’s helper has received more than 300 letters in 2020. Many have questions about what the reindeer eat and what Santa does for fun. “I’ve even had a mom who wrote me a letter cause she’s having a rough year,” said Pickering. All written from the heart with answers about what the reindeer eat and messages that can help both kids and adults cope.

What’s News Today: tracking Santa, holiday festivities

Tonight from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. you can call 540-267-3704 and speak to a dispatch elf. Today on 10 News at Noon, we will talk to NORAD as it tracks Santa’s journey. Gathering Place in Buena Vista is hosting a free drive-thru Christmas Dinner today, in an effort to bring hope to those going through hard times. The production is usually done live at the Berglund Center, but is not this year due to the pandemic. Enjoy can enjoy the lights one last time tomorrow night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m at Ballou Park.

What’s News Today: Meals on Main, Build Smart

Santa will help with food distribution today at the YMCA of Virginia Tech’s Meals on Main. He’ll be at the Thrift Shop Parking Lot from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. helping hand out meals and holiday treats. Today is the last day to register for the Build Smart Institute Core Fundamentals of Construction Program. It’s free to any Bedford County student in tenth through twelfth grades who is interested in learning about construction and building trades. You could qualify for free tuition due to money from the CARES Act.

The Latest: Coronavirus cases keep rising in South Korea

(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has added 1,092 new coronavirus cases in a resurgence that is erasing hard-won epidemiological gains and eroding public confidence in the government’s ability to handle the outbreak. It would deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Preliminary data on U.S. deaths show the coronavirus pandemic contributing to a 15% or more increase in deaths over last year. ___MEXICO CITY — Mexican officials have reported a new daily high in confirmed coronavirus cases as the country awaits its first shipment of vaccine. ___WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation is reporting 151 new coronavirus cases and seven more deaths related to COVID-19.

Santa, Mrs. Claus expose children to COVID at tree lighting

LUDOWICI, Ga. – Dozens of children who attended a tree lighting event in Georgia may have been exposed to COVID-19 after a pair performing as Santa and Mrs. Claus tested positive for the virus, officials said. Commissioners' Chair Robert Parker said about 50 children, including his own, took pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, whose names weren't immediately released. “I have personally known both “Santa” and “Mrs. The county school system has asked parents to keep children at home if they were exposed or if they are showing symptoms. “Children are in close contact with both other children and adults daily at school, rec functions, and church,” Parker said.

Santa cruises in style with police in Radford

RADFORD, Va. – Move out of the way because Santa is cruising in Radford. With sirens blaring and lights flashing, Santa rode in style with the police department late Sunday afternoon. Santa’s elves tossed out candy to children eagerly waiting for him to pass by. 8-year-old William Beasley even made a sign showing his admiration for the police as he jumped up and down with his 2-year-old brother, Arthur. “Well since the police was doing all this kind stuff in this hard year we wanted to make a sign and stuff,” he said.

Santa’s Workshop in downtown Roanoke allowed kids to virtually meet the man in red

ROANOKE, Va. – Santa’s Workshop held in downtown Roanoke on Saturday as a part of the 25 Days of Dickens. He couldn’t be there in person because of the coronavirus pandemic but was live from the North Pole for one-on-one Zoom calls with the kids. Organizers hope the event can kickstart support for local businesses. We got decorations all over the building, all over downtown. Downtown Roanoke is following all COVID-19 guidelines to make sure everyone stays safe.

What’s News Today: ‘The Nutcracker’, Christmas lights

Enjoy the Southwest Virginia Ballet’s presentation of “The Nutcracker.” Normally, this is performed at the Berglund Center before a live audience. Head to Uptown Christiansburg, formerly the New River Valley Mall, for the Town of Christiansburg’s reverse Christmas Parade. The theme for this year’s event is “Light up the tree, it’s Christmas you see.” the parade runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy Christmas lights and interact with Santa and Mrs. Claus starting tonight. On Friday and Saturday nights, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there.

Vinton dad in Buddy the Elf costume freaks out when he sees Santa

One dad in Vinton not only surprised his family this week but everyone on Santa’s sleigh. The Vinton Christmas parade was canceled, but Santa still rolled through the neighborhoods. Patrick Harper waited until Santa pulled up in front of his house to run outside in his Buddy the Elf costume and re-enact one of the movie’s iconic scenes. That’s the reaction I get regardless of where I’ve gone. I’ve gone through grocery stores before in the past, just walking around with the elf suit on,” said Patrick.

Roanoke libraries collecting letters to Santa in drop-off boxes

ROANOKE, VA. – Some folks in Roanoke are opening up a direct line to Santa this holiday season. You may have seen the special book drop-off boxes at some of the area libraries. Kids can drop their letters to Santa in those boxes and the library will make sure they get to him. Libraries director Sheila Umberger said they wanted to keep the holiday spirit going with the ongoing pandemic. The libraries have a number of other events planned for this month as well.

Salem Gingerbread Festival spread Christmas cheer despite social distancing rules

SALEM, Va. – A holiday cookie competition is underway in Salem. Votes were cast on Saturday for the 15th annual Gingerbread Festival. Organizers say they still wanted to hold the event, but social distancing was a must. Some activities were even moved across the street from Salem Museum to Longwood Park to allow for more space. Salem is also holding a gingerbread hunt in shops and on social media all month long to help support local businesses.

Vinton Christmas Parade canceled due to coronavirus

Organizers have canceled the Vinton Christmas Parade due to limits on gatherings due to the pandemic. The parade was originally scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3. While the parade is a huge expense to the town, from paying security officials overtime, renting barricades and attaining digital signs, nearby businesses and restaurants will see fewer customers without it. [18 holiday events happening in Southwest, Central Virginia to put you in the Christmas spirit]“This was a very hard decision and was not decided easily,” said Angie Chewing, executive director of the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce. “Even the food trucks that we have around the area that we would have stationed in different places throughout the parade route.

How your child’s letter to Santa can raise money for Make-A-Wish

Simply by writing a letter to Santa, you can help Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia. During Macy’s “National Believe Week,” the company will donate $2 to Make-A-Wish for every letter written to Santa. National Believe Week ends on Saturday, December 5, at which time Macy’s will go back to donating $1 per letter until December 24. It’s a simple, yet powerful way to help the nonprofit that makes the wishes and dreams of sick children come true. The partnership with Make-A-Wish is part of Macy’s 13th Annual Believe Campaign.

Franklin County shines bright with new drive-thru Christmas lights experience

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – If the dancing Santa doesn’t give it away, we’ll make it clear: Franklin County is definitely in the spirit. The Land of Lights is a new drive-thru experience, making smiles and shining bright. “With so many things canceled due to COVID we decided that we wanted to provide folks with something to bring a little joy this year,” said Nikki Custer, Franklin County Parks and Recreation athletics manager. Riley Smith gave it her seal of approval while her grandmother Emily Smith said it was pure Christmas joy. 2020 has shown us to make the best of the situation at hand, and this is an example of that.

Don’t worry, kids: Fauci said Santa has ‘innate immunity’ from COVID-19, won’t be spreading it

Santa Claus is coming to town and the only thing he’s spreading is lots of Christmas cheer. According to the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Man in Red is COVID-19 free. Fauci wants to assure those kids that Santa isn’t going to be spreading the infection to anyone. So, get the milk and cookies ready, kids! COVID-19 isn’t stopping Santa from visiting your home this Christmas.