🎅 Christmas Eve: NORAD Tracking Santa 😷 New COVID JN.1

In Today’s Huntingdon Valley Insider:

📅 Sun Dec 24. Christmas Eve / Last-Minute Shopper’s Day
🤔 TAKE OUR POLL: Your Favorite Christmas Treat
🛫 Saturday’s Record Holiday Travel
😷 The New COVID Challenge: JN.1
🎅 NORAD Tracking Santa
⛅️ Weather + 🏈 Sports + 🎭 Events
🎖️ Local Business Directory + 💁‍♂️ Feature your Business

👀 for best viewing, Read Online

JN.1: The New COVID Challenge in PA during the Holidays

Pennsylvania is experiencing the emergence of a new COVID-19 subvariant, JN.1, which is contributing to an increase in coronavirus hospitalizations. JN.1, while not yet the dominant variant in the state accounts for a significant 14.1 percent of all cases.

HV.1 remains the dominant variant, representing 35.4 percent of cases. However, COVID-19 hospitalizations have seen a slight nationwide increase of 1.55 percent for the two-week period ending December 9. Notably, the current hospitalization numbers are lower than the same period last year and significantly below the peak seen on January 15, 2022.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has emphasized the importance of vaccinations in combating respiratory viruses, especially during the holiday season when gatherings are common. Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen encourages residents to get both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, which can be administered simultaneously.

Saturday’s Record Holiday Travel

The holiday season is especially busy this year, with yesterday, Saturday set as the busiest so far. About 115.2 million travelers will have ventured at least 50 miles from home during the 10-day year-end holiday travel period. This figure marks a 2.2 percent increase from last year, making it the second-highest year-end travel forecast since 2000. The record was set in 2019 with 119 million travelers.

Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, emphasized that despite the costs, more Americans are choosing to travel to create lasting memories with loved ones. This year's end-of-year holiday forecast aligns with the trend observed throughout 2023.

In the Philadelphia area alone, over 1.3 million residents are expected to travel during the holidays. The Pennsylvania Turnpike has prepared for more than 5 million travelers, a 2 percent increase from last year.

Fuel prices are offering some relief to travelers, with gas prices dropping to levels not seen in over two years, thanks to the switch to winter-blended gasoline and lower crude oil prices.

Air travel is also seeing a significant increase, with more than 92,000 Philadelphia-area residents (over 7 percent of local travelers) flying to their destinations, a nearly 4 percent increase from last year and the highest air travel volume for the year-end holidays on record.

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Tracking Santa

NORAD Tracks Santa is an enchanting Christmas program by NORAD that simulates tracking Santa Claus on his Christmas Eve journey to deliver presents worldwide. The program, which began in 1955, has evolved into a digital experience with an interactive website, social media, and mobile apps, allowing global participation in this festive tradition.

Visit the NORAD Tracks Santa website HERE. Learn more from NBC News:

TODAY is… Last-Minute Shopper’s Day, caters to those who delay their holiday shopping until the final day. It's a day for both those who have an entire list of items to purchase and those who just need to pick up a few remaining gifts. Last-minute shopping has become a cultural norm, often leading to extended shopping sprees due to various life circumstances.

After you answer, get a list of 66 Most Popular Christmas Desserts.

🎄Pro Holiday Light Displays:
The Macy’s Christmas Light Show
Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show
Lumino City Holiday Lights Festival
Holiday Garden Railway
A Longwood Christmas
Rose Tree Park Festival of Lights & Holiday Village
Electrical Spectacle Light Show

🎄Local Home Holiday Light Displays:
Brendan Cir & Terwood Rd, Huntingdon Valley
2188 Schaeffer Rd, Abington
600 Orchard Way, Hatboro
Maloney Lights 644 Cypress Rd, Warminster
Overlook Ave, Willow Grove (Lights synched to music every day 5-7pm)

Now Thru Dec 25
Follow The Star: A 2023 Adventure
Month-Long Grand Illumination

Mon Dec 25
Merry Christmas!

🏈 Eagles 

The Eagles, facing a critical point in their season, see the New York Giants as a potential turning point. Historically dominant against the Giants with 16 wins in their last 19 matchups, the Eagles have a chance to knock New York out of the NFC playoff race with a victory.

Despite their strong start this season, the Eagles are currently on a three-game losing streak, a situation they haven't faced since the 2021 season. This downturn mirrors the 1986 New York Jets, who after a 10-1 start, ended their season with consecutive losses and an early playoff exit.

The Eagles hope to avoid a similar fate as they enter a crucial three-game stretch against the Giants, the Arizona Cardinals, and then the Giants again, teams with a combined record of 13-29. This period is vital for the Eagles to regain momentum and finish the year strong.

Complete Local Sports Schedules:
Lower Moreland H.S. Schedule
Bryn Athyn College Schedule
Upper Moreland H.S. Schedule
Abington Senior H.S. Schedule
HVAA Updates

Please Support These Local Businesses.

If you OWN a local business and would like to be featured in front of a growing following of H.V. area residents OR if you absolutely LOVE a local business we wanna know! Tap below👇

✅ OWN a Local Business? Get Featured!
❤️ LOVE a Local Business? Tell Us!