Latest news with #GeorgeWashingtonCarver
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Two asteroids the size of 32 George Washingtons to pass Earth on Fourth of July
Americans will use anything but the metric system. So let's put that to its most logical conclusion and measure asteroids with the first US president: George Washington. Two asteroids, both around the size of 32 George Washingtons, are set to pass by the Earth on Saturday, July 4, according to NASA's asteroid tracker. And no, we're not referring to one-dollar bills, but rather the man himself. And also no, this is not referring to the American inventor and peanut pioneer George Washington Carver, but the former US president. The asteroids have been designated 2025 MY88 and 2025 MV89, both discovered this year, as noted by the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). As is unsurprising for the tendency of these articles, these asteroids being measured in terms of the founding president of the United States are set to pass by the Earth on the Fourth of July, also known as American Independence Day. In what was rather surprising, both asteroid 2025 MY88 and its companion 2025 MV89 happen to actually be rather close in size. The first has an estimated diameter of up to 61 meters, with the second having an estimated diameter of as much as 65 meters. However, as is often joked about on the Internet, Americans tend to resist using the metric system. So let's put that to its most logical conclusion and literally use the founding pillar of the United States: George Washington. America's founding president, the general who led the Continental Army to victory over the British, with the help of the French, was a towering figure in both reputation and stature. As noted by George Washington's home of Mount Vernon, now home to the George Washington Library, the president stood at a towering 1.879 meters, or six feet and two inches in freedom units. What that means is that, after some rounding, both asteroids are around the size of 32 George Washingtons. Fireworks are typical of the Fourth of July, and if these two asteroids hit the Earth, then fireworks would be an understatement. The asteroids would likely not survive the actual trip through the atmosphere and wouldn't cause anything in the way of a mass extinction event. However, what they would do is explode. This explosion is known as an airburst, and they can be incredibly loud. For example, when a much smaller asteroid, approximately 20 meters in diameter, impacted over Chelyabinsk, Russia, in 2013, the airburst resulted in a large and powerful shockwave that was felt regionally. Over 7,000 buildings in multiple cities were damaged, and over 1,000 people were injured, mostly by broken glass. That's certainly a lot of damage, and these asteroids would likely be even worse. However, in the grand scheme of things, this would be far from an apocalyptic scenario, which would require an asteroid of around 140 meters in diameter to achieve. Of course, given the fact that most asteroids are thought to be rubble piles with indeterminate volume, the exact size is never quite certain due to the influence of gravity, which causes it to pull in different directions, distorting their shape. While scientists have made significant strides in the field of asteroid defense, we're not yet fully prepared. We still have some ways to go before we can declare our independence from asteroids.
CBS News
27-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Person dies in traffic collision just outside of South Los Angeles middle school
A person died Tuesday morning after a collision just outside of a middle school in South Los Angeles, authorities confirmed. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, two vehicles collided in the area of Vernon and McKinley avenues at about 7:06 a.m. The crash took place in an area adjacent to George Washington Carver Middle School, which starts instruction at 8 a.m. The LAPD said one person was pronounced dead at the scene, although they were not identified as of 8 a.m. It's not clear if any other injuries were sustained. A man died Tuesday morning after a traffic collision just outside of George Washington Carver Middle School in South Los Angeles. Images captured by SkyCAL at the scene showed a silver sedan with severe damage to the driver's side. A white tent was put up on the sidewalk, indicating that a body was underneath. It's not yet clear how the crash occurred or if the deceased has any affiliation with Carver Middle School. Vernon was closed from Wadsworth Avenue to McKinley as authorities investigated. It's not yet clear when the closed portion of the road will reopen.
Metro
21-05-2025
- Metro
Teacher 'sexually abused student and snuck into dance dressed as old woman'
A middle school teacher allegedly sexually abused a student and snuck into a school dance he was banned from by disguising himself as an old woman. Vincent Weaver, 29, a former fine arts teacher and dance team coach at George Washington Carver Academy in Michigan, is accused of sexually assaulting a student aged 10 to 12 years old on campus, according to the Highland Park Police Department. Multiple acts of sexual misconduct allegedly took place over four months. Weaver worked at the academy since August 2023 and was fired earlier this month. 'So we had information that he had choreographed a show that was due to take place at a local college,' stated interim Police Chief James McMahon. 'The event occurred, we knew that the individual really wanted to attend it, however, George Washington Carver staff advised him he should not attend it based on the pending allegations, and he was aware of that. So he took it upon himself to dress as an elderly female and gained access to the event.' Weaver has been charged with a count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and misdemeanor indecent exposure. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Trump ambushes South African president with white genocide claims in tense meeting MORE: Trump administration accepts luxury jet from Qatar to use as new Air Force One MORE: Man named Michael Myers charged with murder in West Virginia
Associated Press
08-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Caldwell's Roofing Crafts a Copper Flat-Lock Roof for the George Washington Carver Museum
Porch roofs get an old-style craft approach, using locking pieces. 'This kind of work connects past to present—you're not just sealing copper, you're preserving a story that deserves to last.'— Brad Caldwell, Caldwell's Roofing TUSKEGEE, AL, UNITED STATES, May 8, 2025 / / -- The George Washington Carver Museum in Tuskegee, Alabama, originally constructed in 1915, is a single-story brick structure located on the Tuskegee University campus. In the winter of 2024, the porch roof and built-in gutters of the museum underwent full replacement using flat-lock copper panels. The work was completed in early 2025 and included pre-tinned copper panels and soldered seams suitable for the building's low-slope roof configuration. The museum structure, which originally served as the campus laundry facility, was converted to a museum space in 1941 and later designated as part of the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site. The building is associated with George Washington Carver, who was a faculty member at Tuskegee for several decades and is recognized for his contributions to agriculture, education, and applied science. The project, completed by Caldwell's Roofing in early 2025, required an old-school roofing technique. The Legacy of Flat-Lock Copper Roofing Copper has been used in roofing for centuries due to its durability and weather-resistant properties. Historical examples of copper roofs can be found throughout Europe, with some installations exceeding 300 years in service life. Over time, copper develops a protective patina that helps prevent further corrosion, contributing to its long lifespan. Because of this longevity, copper has been considered a practical roofing material for certain building types, particularly where replacement costs or aesthetic considerations make long-term performance important. In the United States, copper became common in the 19th and early 20th centuries for low-slope roofs, cupolas, domes, and civic structures. Among the techniques used, flat-lock copper roofing became a well-established method for waterproofing nearly flat surfaces. The system consists of small, interlocking copper panels—often around 18 by 24 inches—with opposite edges bent to form 'locks.' These panels are installed in a staggered layout, and copper cleats (hidden fastening clips) are used to anchor the system to the roof deck. This approach accommodates natural expansion and contraction while minimizing the risk of stress cracks. Once assembled, the seams are typically hammered flat and soldered to create a continuous, watertight surface. Flat-lock copper roofing can be used on both vertical and low-slope applications. On vertical walls or steep slopes, some installations are left unsoldered and rely on overlapping seams to shed water. However, for low-slope conditions—commonly defined as pitches of 3:12 or less—fully soldered seams are required to prevent water infiltration. Craftsmanship: Traditional and Contemporary Approaches A defining feature of flat-lock copper systems on low-slope roofs is the soldered seam. After the interlocking panels are laid out and secured, the seams are cleaned, treated with flux, and filled with molten solder—commonly a 50/50 lead-tin alloy. When applied correctly, the solder bonds the copper panels into a sealed, continuous surface. This process requires careful temperature control and experience, particularly to avoid damaging adjacent materials or compromising the seal. Historically, roofers used large, hand-held soldering irons—sometimes called soldering coppers—that were heated with a fire pot or torch. These irons retain and release heat in a more controlled manner than open flames, allowing consistent soldering across panel seams. Some modern installations continue to use this method, often with propane-heated irons. The indirect heat reduces the chance of scorching the copper or igniting flammable materials beneath the roof deck. Modern Alternatives Flat-lock copper roofing is not the only option for low-slope roofs. Materials such as TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) membranes are also widely used. These systems are compatible with slopes below 1:12 and do not require soldering. In addition, they use materials without lead content and have lower risks of heat-related installation hazards. While copper remains a relevant choice for historic preservation projects, membrane roofing provides a cost-effective and lower-maintenance alternative for new construction or modern renovations. Brad Caldwell Caldwell Contracting LLC +1 334-332-7799 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Voices of Veterans: Captain Claude Platte shares his story of service in the US Army Air Corps during WWII
Apr. 4—AUSTIN — Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dr. Dawn Buckingham on April 4 introduced the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. This week, they highlight the service of Tuskegee Airman Captain Claude Platte, who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Platte grew up in a time of segregation and recalled as a child what that was like and what went through his curious young mind. "One of the main things I remember that encouraged me was in a situation where there were colored signs and white signs and black fountains and white fountains and I had been taught that when I saw a colored sign that is where I was supposed to be or drink water," he explained. "One day I saw a little white boy drinking out of the colored fountain-the black fountain, his father scolded him, but doing so, I became curious. Why couldn't I drink out of the white fountain? And what was wrong? When no one was looking, I decided that I would drink out of the white fountain. And when I did, my biggest shock and surprise was — the water was the same, there was no difference." Platte said he decided he wanted to learn how to fly when he was young and never forgot the moment that influenced him the most, standing out front of his boyhood home as an aircraft flew by. "I saw an airplane hovering very low and I could see the pilot flying over and it dawned on me that I could go and see the other side of the area, outside the segregated area, or even go all over the world if I wanted to see what it looked like so I decided this is what I wanted to do, is fly," he explained. It was the moment that changed the course of Platte's life, sending him in a direction that allowed him to be a teacher of men, to pilots that too had that dream of flying for their country. After graduating from I.M. Terrell High School in Fort Worth, Platte left Texas for Tuskegee, Alabama. "When I arrived at Tuskegee my biggest shock when I got there was, Tuskegee had the only VA hospital for Negroes in the country; they were all manned by black doctors and white nurses and so forth. The other thing that was very interesting was Dr. George Washington Carver was there. Because of George Washington Carver and the peanut, I got an opportunity to see people like President Roosevelt, Lena Horn, Joe Lewis and all these VIP people that come through Tuskegee on tour so to speak," he recalled, adding meeting those people encouraged him to go farther than he had ever imagined. Platte said even though he was still interested in flying he enrolled in, what was known at the time, as Mechanical Industries because he wanted to be an engineer. It wasn't until about 1939 when President Roosevelt enlisted the Army Air Corps and the War Department to organize better security for the United States. "They in return got six black colleges to take part in the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) and Tuskegee was one of them," Platte recalled. "In that program that's where I was able to earn my private license, a commercial license, and a flight instructor's license." Platte would, as an instructor, go on to train more than 300 black pilots. When asked why he would decide to train others than live out his boyhood dream of flying, he said he didn't look at it as a decision, rather a chance to do something incredible. "It wasn't a decision. I felt that I had an opportunity to be an instructor. But the same thing may happen to me, I might decide to be a cadet and I may not make I better take what I got and enjoy that while I could," Platte said. Platte also formed the DFW Tuskegee Airmen Chapter in May 2005 to help educate people at home. In 2007, he, along with his fellow surviving airmen, received the Congressional Gold Medal from President George W. Bush. Click here to listen to Captain Platte tell his story.
