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WEEKLY NEWS 2: Phil's Handler Stepping Down

The man who cares for Punxsutawney Phil, the official weather forecaster for Groundhog Day, is stepping down after 15 years of service. Bill Deeley, 56, told the Associated Press that he no longer has the energy or time to handle Phil, which includes taking the groundhog to special events and parades. "I could stay in forever, but even the Pony Express changed horses," Deeley said to the AP.

The handling of the groundhog is the responsibility of the Inner Circle, a group of men that typically don a top-hat and tuxedo. In 1986, Deeley became part of the Inner Circle but has now decided to resign from the position.

The tradition of Groundhog Day has been kept alive in Punxsutawney since 1886, when The Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper first reported that the groundhog failed to see its shadow. Since then, the small town of 7,500 people has been called the "Weather Capital of the World" due to its groundhog tradition. The ritual follows the belief that if a hibernating animal can see its shadow on February 2, winter will last for six more weeks. If the animal has no shadow, spring will arrive early.

--Written by Renee Clara

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