White House cancels annual Halloween celebration

WASHINGTON (AP) -- There's no trick-or-treating at the White House this Halloween.

After three straight years of passing out goodies to area students and military children in the White House driveway, President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, broke their Halloween tradition this year because of superstorm Sandy that walloped the East Coast.

Hundreds of treat bags containing White House M&Ms, an orange-frosted, pumpkin-shaped sugar cookie, jelly beans and some dried fruit were be delivered to the White House Military Office and to school districts in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia that would have participated in the celebration.

Pumpkins used to decorate the White House will be donated to area shelters.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)