Princeton Santa Claus Gets Pushback from Health Department

The Hoosier city's most well-known Christmas icon, known as the Glendale Santa, wants to continue allowing children to sit on his lap but the local health department says doing so is a major health risk.

Tonight at 10 -- we begin with the battle to save christmas.

On one side -- santa fighting for tradition -- on the other -- the health department looking to keep the holiday safe.

44news report valerie lyons is in princeton -- where chris kringle is at the center of concern.

"santa's still going to be here baby, they ain't going to run santa off."

One tri-state community is hoping -- this won't be the year without a santa claus.

"glendale santa does so much for this community.

He helps a lot of families that don't have the funds or the resources to have christmas for their children."

For the past 6 years -- charlie stover has suited up -- as one of princeton's most well-known christmas icons.

Last year he started?santa with a caus?

To raise money for local families in need "depending on how much money i raise, how many families i help.

Last year i raised $7,000, helped out 26 families."

He sets up donation boxes -- and a nomination box -- for others to leave the names of families who might benefit from the money.

Despite the pandemic wants to do the same this year -- and while he has a face covering to wear offering the full santa experience parents give him the ok.

Glendale santa: "sign this waiver here 'no mask, no shield' but according to the health department, i'm illegal.

They said that they can come in a shut me down and quarantine me for being in close contact with the kids, but i'm a firm believer that i won't do anything to jeopardize the child, if the parents are alright with it, santa's alright with it."

44news reached out to the gibson county health department don't want children sitting on santa's lap this year -- it's a health hazard -- that could spread the virus -- and get santa sent back to the north pole.

So stover says he willing to make amends allow kids to sit on his lap but still let them take photos standing next to him without masks.

Glendale santa: "go to my web page ie got like 1400 people on my web page yesterday, it blew up how everyone is supporting me on what i do?

So -- whether he can continue spreading holiday cheer -- this year --- all depends on how he continues to operate.

But many say covid-19 shouldn't get in the way of a christmas tradition -- debbie: "if the parents don't want the child to sit on the lap or they want him to wear the shield -- i know he has them and he'll put them on -- but if they choose no to and they say "it's fine, no' then i think they should have that right."

Vl 44news.