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‘Indictment’ issued against groundhog Punxsutawney Phil for ‘purposely’ predicting an early spring falsely
Famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil might want to go back into hibernation.
Authorities in still-frigid Ohio have issued an “indictment” of the furry rodent, who predicted an early spring when he didn’t see his shadow after emerging from his western Pennsylvania lair on Feb. 2.
“Punxsutawney Phil did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the people to believe that spring would come early,” Mike Gmoser, the prosecutor in southwestern Ohio’s Butler County, wrote in an official-looking indictment.
Gmoser wrote that Punxsutawney Phil is charged with misrepresentation of spring, which constitutes a felony “against the peace and dignity of the state of Ohio.”
The penalty Phil faces? Gmoser says — tongue firmly in cheek — is death. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
It’s Groundhog Day (again) and the rodents can’t agree when spring will come
It’s Groundhog Day — the day millions of North Americans turn to weather prognosticating rodents in the hope they’ll call for an early spring.
And Wiarton Willie, Canada’s most celebrated of all its furry forecasters is predicting an early spring.
On the East Coast, Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam was the first out of his burrow this morning to make his prediction to a worldwide audience via webcam, and sadly for those hoping for an early spring, the pride of Shubenacadie did see his shadow.
Stateside, Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil is generally regarded as the groundhog of record and his prediction this morning is for an early spring. (Keith Srakocic/The Associated Press; Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press; Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
Groundhog Day 2012 in photographs: When rodents predict the weather
According to legend, each February 2, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on that day and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. (Or at least an excellent 1993 movie starring Bill Murray).
Below, we look at the best photos from Groundhog Day 2012, where ground there has been a split decision so far on how long winter will last.
Groundhog Day 2012: Shubenacadie Sam predicts early spring; Punxsutawney Phil calls for more winter
This country’s first furry forecaster brought good news to winter-weary Canadians on Thursday morning, as Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam failed to see his shadow — meaning, according to tradition, an early spring is on its way.
The news was less pleasant for our neighbours south of the border, as Punxsutawney Phil — made particularly famous by Bill Murray’s 1993 movie Groundhog Day — did see his shadow in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Jason Cohn/Reuters)
Groundhog Day infographic: Large rodents predict early spring
Note: We will be updating this graphic as breaking, groundhog predictions emerge
Critter consensus: Groundhogs ignore the blizzard, predict early spring
There were some furry rays of hope Wednesday as blizzard-like conditions and miserable winter weather raged in many parts of the country.
Groundhog prognosticators in Nova Scotia and Ontario — Shubenacadie Sam and Wiarton Willie — both predicted an early spring.
And, in the U.S., Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil — famously spoofed by Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day — emerged from his burrow Wednesday and predicted that spring is right around the corner.
“He found that there was no shadow,” said Bill Deeley, president of a club that organizes Groundhog Day in the western Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney. “So an early spring it will be.”
Check out our full visual archive.
Groundhogs ignore the blizzard, predict early spring
Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil — famously spoofed by Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day — emerged from his burrow Wednesday and predicted that spring is right around the corner.
The weather-forecasting rodent failed to see his shadow upon emerging from his hibernation, which according to legend, augurs an early arrival of mild springtime weather.
“No Shadow, Spring is Near! trumpeted the groundhog.org website which monitors Phil’s every move in the days leading up to the annual rite.
Check out our full visual archive.
