Groundhog Club Co-handler John Griffiths, left, holds the weather predicting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, after he was taken from the stump before the club said Phil did not see his shadow and there will be an early spring on Groundhog Day, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, in Punxsutawney, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Sheila McLaughlin reports:
Punxsutawney Phil is off the hook in Butler County.
He won’t be facing the death penalty for making a huge mistake predicting an early spring.
You might remember the indictment (see below) issued last week by County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser, which made national headlines, even in the Washington Post.
Gmoser has since changed his mind and dismissed the charge of “misrepresentation of early spring” against the groundhog.
Gmoser said Phil is a scapegoat for the misinterpretation of his handler. Phil’s handler has “stepped up to the burrow to take full responsibility for misrepresenting said Defendant’s prediction of an early spring,” he said in the official looking dismissal document.
Gmoser goes on to say: “And for all who took this case too seriously and were told this case was tongue-in-cheek, those are not body parts of a groundhog for a stew. In these serious times, I hope this case brought a light-hearted moment to all concerned with a warm welcome to Spring ahead.”
So when will that happen, Mr. Prosecutor? There’s still snow on the ground.
Grant Ingram of West Chester at a township zoning meeting holds a sign in favor of stopping a Kroger Marketplace from being built on the corner of Tylersville Road and Princeton-Glendale Road (State Route 747). Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber March 18, 2013.
To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.
WestChesterBuzz.com also recently added a new video page last week. To view West Chester and Liberty Township related videos, visit westchesterbuzz.com/videos.
Developer withdraws plans for Kroger Marketplace – A Blue Ash developer has scrapped plans to bring a Kroger Marketplace to West Chester Township – at least, for now. West Chester Township officials received a notice of withdrawal Wednesday morning from Silverman and Company, which planned to build a shopping center that included a 133,000-square-foot Kroger Marketplace on the corner of Tylersville Road and Princeton-Glendale Road (Ohio 747).
Thomas P. Farrell. Photo provided.
Liberty Township names Thomas Farrell trustee – A small business owner has been tapped to join the Liberty Township Board of Trustees. Thomas P. Farrell was named trustee Tuesday to fill the unexpired term of Patrick Hiltman, who resigned his seat last month. Farrell was selected from a field of 13 who submitted letters of interest and resumes.
Deputies plan daily visits to Butler schools – Butler County sheriff’s deputies will be stopping by county schools every day beginning this week through a new initiative being launched this week to help make schools safer. Sheriff Richard K. Jones on Monday announced the start of Operation Safe School, which is designed to have a deputy stop by any school in his or her geographical patrol area every day that school is in session.
VIDEOS: Lakota students do the Harlem Shake - Last week WestChesterBuzz.com posted four videos of Lakota students doing the Harlem Shake. Tell us which one is your favorite and pass on any others that might be floating around the Web.
Butler County prosecutor wants Punxsutawney Phil executed – Death to Punxsutawney Phil! That’s what Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser has suggested. Gmoser on Thursday issued a fake single-count direct indictment of the groundhog charging him with “misrepresentation of spring” for making people believe the season would arrive early.
Princess Paige lives on through foundation – Heather Alessandro, mother of Paige, created the Princess Paige Foundation in honor of her daughter, who passed away unexpectedly in May of 2010 at the age of 6. The foundation provides grants to pediatric patients who need therapeutic services and equipment that might not be covered by insurance.
Groundhog Club Co-handler John Griffiths, left, holds the weather predicting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, after he was taken from the stump before the club said Phil did not see his shadow and there will be an early spring on Groundhog Day, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, in Punxsutawney, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Death to Punxsutawney Phil!
That’s what Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser has suggested.
Gmoser on Thursday issued a fake single-count direct indictment of the groundhog charging him with “misrepresentation of spring” for making people believe the season would arrive early.
In other related fake news, The Onion reported that Punxsutawney Phil was beheaded earlier this week for his inaccurate prediction.
Thanks to an Arctic air mass hanging over the area, there is a 60 percent chance we could see 3-6 inches of snow on Sunday.
