Macy's Day Parade Santa Claus will visit ABC 6 News Good Morning Monday!

Submitted by Steve Sosna, ABC 6 Meteorologist

Friday, November 26th, 2010, 10:59am

Macy's Day Parade Santa Clause will visit ABC 6 News Good Morning Monday!

Santa will be making a special visit to our ABC 6 studios this upcoming Monday morning. This is the same Santa you've seen march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. We're especially glad to have Santa in our studio because he's raising awareness for the "Believe" campaign, which encourages letter writing to Santa.. Macy's will donate $1.00 for each letter written to Santa up to 1 million letters, to the "Make A Wish Foundation". This foundation helps terminally ill children acheive dreams that otherwise wouldn't be possible. This is the third year of this very successful Macy's capaign.

Rochester is lucky enough to be one of the 26 cities Santa will be stopping in this year.

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Law Enforcement Cracks Down Over Thanksgiving

Submitted by Bryan Piatt, ABC 6 News Anchor

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010, 11:51am

Law Enforcement Cracks Down Over Thanksgiving

Albert Lea and Freeborn County Law Enforcement are stepping up DWI enforcement over the Thanksgiving Holiday, which is historically one of the year's deadliest holidays in Minnesota. Extra enforcement will focus on the night before Thanksgiving which authorities says is an active night for impaired driving.

According to a press release by law enforcement, during the Thanksgiving travel period in 2007-2009 in Minnesota, 16 motorists were killed, 56 were seriously injured and 2,067 motorists were arrested for DWI. Of the 16 killed, six were alcohol-related.

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Coldest Since February... Tricky Travel Ahead

Submitted by Steve Sosna, ABC 6 Meteorologist

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010, 12:42pm

Coldest Since February... Tricky Travel Ahead

The thermometers in southeastern Minnesota and north Iowa registered low temperatures in the upper single digits and lower teens early this morning. Wind-chills were between 0 and ten below zero and your car probably needed a few extra minutes to warm-up. This afternoon's temperatures will be the coldest since February 25th when the high temperature was 23. We'll have plenty of sunshine, so even though the weather will be cold, the sky will look nice and bright.

I am tracking a storm that has delivered a couple of feet of snow across Utah, Idaho, and Montana with 75 mph winds and blizzard conditions. It's a powerhouse weather system right now, but luckily will weaken a bit before it arrives here. I anticipate issues with light freezing rain, drizzle, and some flurries on the back end of the system. Here's how I believe the weather will play out over the next 48 hours.

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No Arrests Made in Salvation Army Robbery

Submitted by Megan Matthews on Tuesday, November 23rd, 12:29 pm

Albert Lea Police have gotten some tips, but nothing that's lead to the arrest of the man who robbed the salvation army thrift store.

Surveillance cameras took these pictures Friday.

Authorities say he walked into the store with a gun and demanded money.

Nobody was hurt, but the man did get some cash.

He's white, around 5' 10" to 6 feet tall and was wearing a dark jacket with light pants

and a hat.

If you have any information call Albert Lea Police.

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Albert Lea Approves Interim City Manager

Submitted by Megan Matthews on Tuesday, November 23rd, 12:19 pm

Albert Lea has approved an Interim City Manager.

Patrick McGarvey previously worked as the City Administrator in Austin until 2003.

The interim city manager job should last three to six months until a full-time replacement is found.

Jim Norman left the position in September after he was accused of misusing a credit card.

He's set to appear in court Monday, November 29, 2010.

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Interim Manager Vote Expected

Submitted by Melanie Bloom, ABC 6 News Anchor

Monday, November 22nd, 2010, 9:57am

A vote is expected to take place at tonight's Albert Lea City Council to confirm a new interim city manager.

The Albert Lea City Clerk tells ABC 6 News that Patrick McGarvey is expected to be approved. He will serve a term that only lasts up to six months. During that time, the search for a permanent City Manager will take place.

McGarvey was previously a City Administrator for Austin, MN. He left that position in 2003.

He will replace Jim Norman who stepped down as City Manager. He resigned following accusations that he misused a city credit card.

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Freezing Drizzle & Mix Today

Submitted by Steve Sosna, ABC 6 Meteorologist

Monday, November 22nd, 2010, 9:10am

A mixed bag of light freezing rain, sleet, and snow is expected today. The light mix was already moving into places along I-35 as of 8 A.M. this morning and will continue to move eastward this morning. The wintry mix will be over in most places by 3 PM this afternoon.

The problems with ice will occur on untreated road surfaces & sidewalks today. Any surface that has been pre-treated with a solution or salt should just be wet, but always pay extra attention on the bridges and overpasses. I only anticipate less than a tenth of an inch of ice, but that will enough to put a light glaze on sidewalks, driveways, and untreated secondary roads. MnDOT has been out treating the roads overnight, so any of the major highways should just be wet. If possible, put down some salt on your sidewalks for the kids that are walking to and from school.

This is system number two in what is a 1-2-3 punch.