Officials with Wiarton Willie at the annual Wiarton Willie Festival in Bluewater Park, February 2, 2025. Photo provided by the Town of South Bruce Peninsula. Officials with Wiarton Willie at the annual Wiarton Willie Festival in Bluewater Park, February 2, 2025. Photo provided by the Town of South Bruce Peninsula.
Sarnia

Wiarton Willie calling for early spring

Wiarton Willie is predicting an early spring, a different opinion from other celebrity groundhogs.

The weather prognosticator did not see his shadow when he emerged from his home just after 8 a.m. Sunday.

Folklore said if a groundhog sees its shadow on February 2, it will retreat into its burrow, bringing six more weeks of winter.

In Oil Springs, Groundhog Harvey has retired so he did not make a prediction.

Meanwhile, other celebrity groundhogs have a different opinion.

Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam and Punxsutawney Phil both saw their shadows and are predicting six more weeks of winter.

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Sarnia City Hall. October, 2023 Blackburn Media photo by Melanie Irwin

Sarnia council briefs

Sarnia council rejected a call to form a joint working group to identify alternate sites for Indwell's supportive housing project, and a new mural will be installed in the lobby at city hall.