SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN

Santa is preparing for his annual journey around the world.  Many organizations attempt to track Santa's sleigh.  The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, uses their equipment and technology to follow his movements every year.  They use four high-tech systems to track Santa – radar, satellites, Santa Cams, and fighter jets.  According to the NORAD Santa Tracker website, December 24, NORAD monitors the radar systems continuously for indications Santa Claus has left the North Pole.  They are able to track his movements around the world as he delivers presents to good little boys and girls.

The National Weather Service also attempts to track Santa with their radar.  Meteorologist Jim Kramper at the National Weather Service office in St. Louis said Santa tends to move very quickly, but every now and then they are able to catch a glimpse of him.  If you would like to see where Santa is today, visit www.noradsanta.org.

CHANCE OF SNOW CHRISTMAS DAY

Friday, December 21 was the official beginning of Winter.  Meteorologist Jim Kramper at the National Weather Service office in St. Louis said we could see snow Christmas day.  It looks like the system will produce some snow Christmas night into Wednesday morning.  The latest numbers for the National Weather Service predicts anywhere from 2-6 inches of snow could fall in Bond County. Heavier totals are possible to the south and east, up to 9 inches is possible there.

FIRE CHIEF URGES SAFETY WITH LIGHTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

The holiday season is a time of joy and decorating for holiday festivities but it is also a time requiring extra safety. WGEL and the Greenville Fire Department remind you to be cautious as you decorate.  Greenville Fire Chief Bill Johnston told WGEL Christmas lights used to get hot enough to burn you if you touched them.  Today, lights do not usually get nearly as hot, but they may still short out and cause a fire.  Bill advised to use extension cords sparingly.  If you do use an extension cord, be sure to leave it in the open.  Do not cover cords with rugs to hide them as it does not allow the heat to properly dissipate.

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SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF WINTER WEATHER

A head-on accident claimed the life of a Salem man Thursday night.  According to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, winter weather and winds were the cause of the accident .  Scott Holst, age 50, of Salem, was eastbound on old Route 50 east of Creek Road when the weather conditions caused him to lose control of his 2004 Oldsmobile four door.  While trying to regain control, Holst crossed the center line and struck Stephanie Blankenship, age 28, head-on in a 2004 Chevy Blazer.  Holst was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese where he later died of his injuries.  Blankenship was not injured according to police.  The accident remains under investigation.  

Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn reported he is investigating two deaths that may be related to Thursday’s wintry weather and the power failures it caused. Sandra K. Brinker, age 63, of Troy, was found unresponsive at her home and taken by ambulance to Anderson Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 10:18 a.m. Thursday. Brinker lost power at her home at about 8:10 a.m. Thursday.

Shirley A. Shrill, age 66, of Alton, was pronounced dead at her home at 5:07 p.m. Thursday. Shrill lost power at her home at 4:15 p.m. Thursday after a tree fell and struck a transformer. Both women suffered from conditions requiring supplemental oxygen from electrically powered oxygen units which were unusable after the power failures. Nonn said it has not been decisively concluded the loss of oxygen was responsible for the deaths, but it was possible. Nonn advises families with a relative who is medically dependant on electrical power to their home, to pre-plan for winter storms and also notify their community’s first responder group.

A Missouri woman was killed in a one-vehicle roll-over accident east of Route 159 on Rust Road in Macoupin County Thursday afternoon. Erin K. Jarman, age 31, of Houston, MO was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene by Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya. The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident.

A three-vehicle accident on I-70 Thursday evening sent two people to the hospital. According to Illinois State Police, Roman Guzman, age 35, of Indianapolis, Indiana was westbound in a 1998 Expedition when he slid off the roadway into the median near the 53 mile marker. Norman Richardson, age 55, of Norton, OH was also westbound and slid into the median in the same spot in his Trailblazer. Kevin Rule, age 51, of Greenville, also westbound in a 2001 Grand Prix, slid off the interstate in the same spot, hitting Richardson’s vehicle which in turn struck Guzman’s vehicle. Rule was taken to Greenville Regional Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Richardson was taken to Fayette County Hospital.