Saying the company has left no option, workers represented by the United Steelworkers of America initiated a strike starting at 1 p.m. (EDT). In a press release the USW says the strike will "impact 15,000 USW members and operations at 16 plants in the United States and Canada." That includes the plant in Sun Priarie, Wis. which has roughly 250 employees. The press release follows (update: Goodyear's press release follows the union's release):

Sadly the Sun Prairie 2006 Corn Festival has come and gone. During this past weekend, August 17th through 20th, Angell Park was filled with the smell of freshly cooked corn on the cob. I managed to venture out to the site of this corn phenomeneon with the accompaniment of my family and friends. Parking on the grounds was really a great deal because there was 6 of us and the total cost was only $3 verses the $6 we would have had to spend to park somewhere else and walk to the event. Nonetheless, the line to drive into the parking: horrendous. We had to have a lot of patience while waiting in such a long line, but it was well worth it once we got our corn.

Come all who crave corn, to Cornfest! Tonight, Thursday August 17 through Sunday, August 20, 2006 to the Sweet Corn Festival. Located at Angell Park, near the intersections of Highway 19 and Highway N. The ost is a single dollar at the gate to enjoy great entertainment and purchase delicious corn! Children age 6 and under are free and if you park on the grounds admission is included in the price. Steamed sweetcorn is available on Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon until 7 p.m. and bags of fresh raw corn are also available for purchase! For more information visit the Sun Prairie website. Don't miss out on the chance to bring some great Wisconsin corn home to your kitchen. Also, check back here after the weekend for a full report and delicious recipes!

It's official, the rivalry between Sun Prairie's very own Jimmy the Prognosticator and Punxsutawney Phil has erupted. Thursday morning, Jimmy ushered in the prospect of an early spring by not seeing his shadow at the Sun Prairie Groundhog Day Prognostication at Cannery Square Plaza, in the heart of Sun Prairie. The event was well attended, with one "human groundhog" coming all the way from West Allis just for the celebration. This was a direct smack in the face of Phil's prediction of 6 more weeks of cold.

This feud is nothing new. Sun Prairie has been fighting to get their proper recognition as the groundhog captial of the world, even claiming congressional recognition as such(albeit the photo is next to impossible to read). NOT FOUND: 3 This rivalry doesn't seem like it will end any time soon. groundhogs.com puts this year's celebration at 120, while Sun Prairie's tops that by at least one. with a diary entry by Colonal William H. Angell on February 2nd, 1886: