PLEA GOES OUT FOR SANTA HAT

SCOTT CITY -- Santa Claus lost his hat Christmas eve and would like it back.

Terry Johnston, a former Scott City council member, said he returned home from playing the part of Santa Claus on Saturday night and dropped the hat while getting out of his car.

Johnston discovered the hat missing after he heard a car stop outside his house about 11:30 p.m. Someone walked up to the side of Johnston's vehicle and then returned to his own car and left.

After seeing that through the window of his house, Johnston said he was concerned that he might have dropped something. He said he searched his Santa outfit and couldn't find the hat.

"There's a lot of sentimental value in the hat since my mother made it for me," Johnston said. "It's made of a special type of material that can not be replaced."

Johnston said he's offering a $25 reward to the person who returns the hat. If the person who took the hat wants to remain anonymous, it can be left on Johnston's porch at 622 E. Maple St. without any questions asked, he said.

Johnston can be reached by phone after 7 p.m. at 264-2384.