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COVID, cyclone bomb won't slow Santa's travels, Norad says
The joint U.S.-Canadian military agency known for tracking Santa Claus as he delivers presents on Christmas Eve doesn't expect COVID-19 or the 'bomb cyclone' hitting North America to affect Saint Nick's global travels.
Norad, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, is responsible for monitoring and defending the skies above North America.
But the Colorado Springs, Colorado-based agency also runs the Norad Tracks Santa service, which allows people to follow his Christmas journey through its noradsanta.org website, social media channels and mobile app.
The agency this year plans to have about 1,500 volunteers working on Christmas Eve to field phone calls from children who want to know Santa's location and delivery schedule.
Lt. General David Nahom, a Norad official based in Anchorage, Alaska, said the pandemic has not affected Santa's busy delivery schedule and he doesn't expect any impact this weekend.
The freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall that's disrupting holiday travel in the U.S. shouldn't be a problem for a man who lives at the North Pole, Nahom said.
"I think Santa will be right at home with the Arctic weather that's hitting into the lower 48," Nahom said.
Norad's holiday tradition began in 1955 after a kid mistakenly called a Colorado military command asking to speak to Santa. More calls came in so the commander on duty assigned an officer to answer the Santa calls, and the tradition took hold.
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Local Spotlight
He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.
A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.
Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.
A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.
A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.
A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.
Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.
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