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A GoFundMe that popped up in late February featuring the rather ominous title “Getting Mr. James out of this school.”

It’s the tallest active geyser on the planet— with an emphasis on “active.” From 2015 to 2017, it didn’t erupt at all. There was another largely quiet period from 1911 to 1961, but in 2018 it logged a record-setting 32 eruptions, a feat it has crushed this year with 47 eruptions, per the US Geological Survey. Why? Good question, and one that hasn’t been answered. It’s one on a long list of geyser mysteries, in fact. The geyser-research field is a thin one, and as Yellowstone National Park’s hydrologist explained the area beneath Steamboat hasn’t been mapped. However, seismic sensors there have revealed that the geyser’s water source may sit as deep as 130 feet.

It’s not an attempt to see a teacher or staff member fired, instead, it was an effort by high school students in North Texas to help their school’s elderly janitor retire for good. “Mr. James” (who’s declined to be more fully identified) had actually already retired, but at the beginning of the year his rent suddenly shot up by about $400 a month, and the 80-year-old decided to go back to work so he could get by.

And so he took a custodian job at Callisburg High School, which is where three students got wind of Mr. James’ plight. They decided to do something about it, launching the GoFundMe and doing a social media push to promote the fundraiser. “Let’s help Mr. James out!” student Greyson Thurman wrote as a caption on a short TikTok video he shared. “I have 2,000 followers and that was enough to get the word out,” he said.

Most of the donations that poured in during the first 12 hours were from students. The GoFundMe asking for “rent, food, & monthly bills,” had originally set a goal of $10,000, and had surpassed $180,000.

“Nobody deserves to work their whole life,” Thurman said. “ They deserve to enjoy everything.” Jason Hooper, the high school’s principal, says he’s proud of not only the ”three kind kids” who started the fundraiser, “but of all of our students who have pitched in to help that need.” As for Mr. James, he’s “very appreciative” of the students’ assistance, but he “doesn’t want any part of the spotlight” said Hooper.

Most other geysers seem to be fueled by shallower reserves; deeper equals warmer, so that could be a factor in Steamboat’s ability to propel water to heights of more than 300 feet. Michael Poland with the USGS earlier this year said it’s possible that increased snowfall in Yellowstone of late has led to more groundwater to fuel the geyser. What scientists are saying is that there’s no link between the increased activity and any potential looming eruption of Yellowstone’s supervolcano. “Yellowstone has an incredible geyser system that is unrelated to magmatic activity—other than the magmatic system basically providing heat,” tweeted one volcanologist. USA Today noted that the Waimangu Geyser in New Zealand has managed to shoot water taller than Steamboat has, but it’s been

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Firefighters Leave Stove On, Learn Important Lesson

In their defense, the firefighters were in a hurry to leave. So much so, that nobody in the station remembered to turn off the stove when they left to fight a house fire in Hall County, Georgia.

When a separate fire crew that had been out on a medical call returned to the station about 10 minutes later, they discovered a stovetop fire and lots of smoke, per the AP. As they scrambled to grab a fire extinguisher, the stove’s suppression system did the work for them and put out the fire. Damage to the stove was minimal, damage to the firefighters’ pride was presumably greater, and breakfast was ruined.

Kevin Hart is making a stop in the capital city this spring.

The actor and comedian will perform at the Amica Mutual Pavilion (AMP) as part of his “Reality Check” tour on Saturday, April 22.

Tickets went on sale on Feb. 24th on Tickemaster.