Georgia groundhog predicts early spring

LILBURN, Ga. (AP) Georgia's groundhog, General Beauregard Lee, has predicted an early spring for the Southeast.

Officials at the Yellow River Game Ranch in metro Atlanta say the groundhog awoke Tuesday morning and didn't see his shadow, which indicates an early end to winter. Groundhogs in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and New York made the same prediction.

According to tradition, if the groundhog sees its shadow on Feb. 2, winter will last another six weeks. If not, spring comes early.

Game ranch officials say the National Weather Service has commended Beau for his accurate predictions twice and the groundhog has also been recognized by four Georgia governors.

Game ranch officials say the rodent has also received honorary doctorates from the University of Georgia and Georgia State University.