UPDATE-Rudolph Sighting Reported

NORTH POLE, Arctic Circle (ACNEWS) - Questions, doubts and worries abound in this close knit community deep inside the Earth's Artic Circle, surrounding the disappearance of the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph. What began as an evening of fun and games at the Santa's Work Shop Annual Christmas party Saturday, has turned into a rash of finger pointing, accusations and tears; actions that threaten to tear the fiber of this community to shreds.

This all started last night when Rudolph apparently took offense to something that Blitzen said and started drowning his sorrows in The Clause's special batch of eggnog. Before long he began getting a little belligerent and was asked by Santa to go outside and get some fresh air. "I only wanted the little guy to cool off a little," Mr. Clause told AC News. "If something bad has happened to Rudy, I'll never forgive myself," Clause said.

Elves are trying to remain positive as they search for a replacement for the red-nosed venison that has been the lead reindeer for well over 50 years. "I just think it's a little premature to be acting like he won't be ready for work tonight," an elf who was only identified as Tweedle said. "I mean he's been doing it every year so why would we assume he won't be here for us this year," he pondered?

One development that has given some hope and others a reason to wonder, arose when a gold prospector showed up in town and said he saw a small reindeer with a glowing snout very early this morning. "He was drunker than a skunk and dancing with the abominable snowman," the prospector reported. "Asked me if I knew where they could get some more booze and some chicks," he added.

The prospector also commented that they kept singing "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" over and over again and that scared him enough he decided to just continue on his way.

The alleged incident with the big snowy guy causes some here to worry because he has been known to get violent and turn on his friends when he's drinking, especially this time of year when he probably should be hibernating.

Local authorities are forming a search party to head to the area of the reported sighting. Check back to AC News frequently for updates to this riveting story.