STM Daily News
A Close Encounter: Asteroid 2006 WB Zooms Past Earth Tomorrow
Last Updated on November 26, 2024 by Daily News Staff
As we gaze up at the night sky, pondering the vastness of the universe, an intriguing event is set to unfold: a football field-sized asteroid is making its way past Earth tomorrow. Named 2006 WB, this celestial traveler is estimated by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to be about 310 feet across, although its size could range anywhere from 240 to 525 feet. For perspective, a football field measures approximately 360 feet in width, making this asteroid a formidable presence as it skims by our planet.
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Approaching Asteroid
At a distance of 554,000 miles—roughly twice the distance to the Moon—2006 WB will pass by us at a speed of about 4.2 km/s, or approximately 9,400 mph. This velocity is several times faster than a bullet fired from a rifle, which can travel up to around 2,700 mph. While 554,000 miles may sound distant, it is remarkably close on a solar system scale, especially when compared to our neighboring planet Venus, which can be about 24 million miles away at its closest approach.
In addition to 2006 WB, there are four other asteroids making their own close passes in the coming days. Today, two bus-sized asteroids, 2024 WF2 and 2024 WJ3, will soar past Earth at distances of 1,780,000 miles and 2,780,000 miles, respectively. Following them, the plane-sized 2009 WB105 will come within 3,600,000 miles, and on Tuesday, another bus-sized asteroid, 2024 WD3, will pass at around 1,080,000 miles.
Jay Tate, director of the United Kingdom’s Spaceguard Centre observatory, highlights that asteroids are frequently zipping past Earth, often without much public awareness. 2006 WB falls into the category of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), defined as objects that come within 30 million miles of our planet. NEOs are monitored closely, with over 34,000 identified in our solar system, and the JPL’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) actively tracking at least 2,300 potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs).
While the odds of a large asteroid impacting Earth are exceedingly low, the consequences of such an event could be catastrophic. Svetla Ben-Itzhak, an assistant professor of space and international relations at Johns Hopkins University, warns that a cosmic body of 460 feet in diameter could obliterate an entire city and wreak regional havoc. In contrast, larger objects exceeding 1 kilometer in diameter could have far-reaching global implications, potentially leading to mass extinction.
Fortunately, the asteroids currently making their approach, including 2006 WB, do not fall within the category of potentially hazardous objects due to their size and the distances they will maintain from our planet. As we continue to advance our understanding of these celestial bodies, the importance of tracking and monitoring NEOs remains paramount for the safety of humanity.
As we prepare for the close encounter with 2006 WB, let us appreciate the wonders of our universe and the ongoing efforts of scientists and astronomers dedicated to keeping watch over our cosmic neighborhood. Stay tuned for more updates as we witness the majestic dance of these asteroids in the sky above.
Related link:
https://www.newsweek.com/asteroid-near-earth-object-approaching-football-field-space-nasa-1990996
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Local News
Maricopa Boil Water Advisory Lifted After Negative E. Coli Tests
Maricopa boil water advisory lifted: Global Water–Santa Cruz Water Company customers in Maricopa can resume normal tap water use after follow-up testing found no E. coli.
MARICOPA, Ariz. — A precautionary boil water advisory for Global Water–Santa Cruz Water Company customers in the city of Maricopa was lifted Thursday, October 8, after repeat testing found no E. coli in water samples. The utility announced the cancellation at approximately 2 p.m. Arizona time.
The advisory was issued October 7 after two preliminary tests indicated possible contamination. Customers were temporarily instructed to use bottled water or boil tap water for at least one minute before drinking it or using it for food preparation.
With follow-up results negative, affected customers no longer need to boil water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes, according to the utility.
The advisory affected the utility’s customers in the city of Maricopa, located in Pinal County. It was not a countywide warning for Maricopa County or Phoenix.
Residents can visit Global Water Resources’ official notice page for updates or call 866-940-1102 with questions.
STM Daily News
Woman Charged With Felony Animal Cruelty in Santa Ana Puppy Killing
Santa Ana Puppy Killing: Prosecutors have filed felony charges against a 75-year-old Anaheim woman accused of deliberately running over and killing her puppy, Blackey, in Santa Ana.
Last Updated on October 3, 2026 by Daily News Staff
SANTA ANA, Calif. — A 75-year-old Anaheim woman accused of deliberately running over and killing her puppy on a Santa Ana street has now been formally charged with felony animal cruelty, marking a major development in a case that drew widespread attention after surveillance video was released by police.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday, October 2, that Hanh Minh Nguyen, 75, of Anaheim, has been charged with one felony count of animal cruelty, one felony count of animal abuse by a caretaker, and a felony enhancement alleging the personal use of a weapon — a vehicle — to kill the animal.
Nguyen was arrested by Santa Ana police on Thursday, October 1, after investigators used automated license plate reader technology to identify the green Honda Odyssey seen in surveillance footage from the September 8 incident. Police subsequently located Nguyen and found the minivan at her Anaheim residence.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Nguyen was released from custody after posting $20,000 bail. She is scheduled to appear at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana on November 2, 2026, in Department C55.
Surveillance video led to investigation
The case began on September 8 at approximately 9:15 a.m., when Santa Ana Animal Services officers responded to a report of a dead black-and-white male pit bull-mix puppy on West Park Lane.
Surveillance footage obtained during the investigation showed a woman removing the puppy from a minivan and placing food near the driver’s side of the vehicle. Authorities allege the woman then slowly drove forward as the puppy approached the food, running over the animal with the vehicle’s rear tire before leaving the scene.
The puppy, identified by authorities as Blackey, died.
The District Attorney’s Office describes Blackey as a 9-week-old puppy. Earlier statements and local news reports described him as approximately 9 months old.
Santa Ana police released surveillance footage of the incident on September 30 and appealed to the public for help identifying the driver.
Within a day, investigators said automated license plate reader technology helped them trace the Honda Odyssey to Nguyen. Police found the vehicle in her garage and took her into custody.
Police previously said Nguyen acknowledged owning and abandoning Blackey. According to the Los Angeles Times, a Santa Ana Police Department spokesperson said Nguyen told detectives she had left the puppy because he had been annoying her boyfriend by biting his shoes and belongings. Police said she acknowledged abandoning the dog but did not admit to intentionally running him over.
Prosecutors file felony charges
The filing of felony charges moves the case beyond the initial police investigation and into the Orange County court system.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the alleged killing in announcing the charges and said his office intends to prosecute acts of violence against animals.
Deputy District Attorney Danica Drotman of the Orange County District Attorney’s Animal Cruelty Unit is prosecuting the case.
Nguyen is accused of the offenses and has not been convicted. The allegations against her will now be addressed through the court process.
Her next scheduled court appearance is November 2.
STM Daily News will continue following the case and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
Source and Related Links
- Orange County District Attorney — October 2 charging announcement
- The DA’s release is the strongest source for this update. It provides case number 26CF4923, the exact charges, $20,000 bail, November 2 court date and the prosecutor assigned to the case. Orange County District Attorney
- For corroborating coverage, CBS Los Angeles reports the arrest, use of automated license-plate readers and the subsequent felony charges. CBS News
- CBS Los Angeles — arrest and charges update
- NBC Los Angeles — felony charges update
Local News
Santa Ana Police Seek Woman Accused of Intentionally Running Over Puppy
Santa Ana police are asking for the public’s help identifying a woman accused of intentionally running over and killing a puppy with a minivan on September 8.
Last Updated on September 30, 2026 by Daily News Staff
SANTA ANA, Calif. — Santa Ana police are asking for the public’s help identifying a woman accused of deliberately running over and killing a puppy after leaving the animal in a residential street earlier this month.
The disturbing incident occurred at approximately 9:15 a.m. on September 8, 2026, in the 900 block of West Park Lane, near 926 W. Park Lane. Police said the dog, described as a pit bull mix puppy, was later found dead in the street.
Investigators subsequently obtained home-surveillance footage showing an older-model green or blue Honda Odyssey minivan stopped along the street.
According to police, the female driver opened the vehicle’s door and placed the puppy on the ground. The puppy went underneath the minivan, and the woman then allegedly placed food on the street near the driver’s side of the vehicle.
As the puppy approached the food, the driver moved the minivan forward. Police said the vehicle’s rear driver’s-side tire went over the puppy and that the minivan remained stopped on the animal for approximately 15 seconds before the driver drove away.
A nearby resident later told officers that they had seen the minivan in the area and believed the puppy had been deliberately run over. Police and animal services personnel spent several weeks canvassing the neighborhood and eventually located surveillance footage that authorities said corroborated the witness’s account.
Police searching for driver
Investigators have not been able to obtain a readable license plate from the surveillance footage.
As of September 30, Santa Ana police were seeking information that could help identify either the woman or the older green or blue Honda Odyssey seen in the video.
Anyone with information about the case is being asked to contact Santa Ana police at 714-245-8378.
The case comes two years after another highly publicized animal-cruelty incident in Santa Ana involving a woman accused of intentionally running over a 2-month-old Rottweiler puppy in August 2024. In that case, the puppy survived after emergency treatment, and the suspect subsequently turned herself in to police.
STM Daily News will update this story if authorities announce an identification, arrest or charges in the case.
Sure and Related Links
Los Angeles Times — “Santa Ana Police search for woman who appears to deliberately run over puppy in disturbing video”
Los Angeles Times report
CBS Los Angeles — “Santa Ana police seek minivan driver who allegedly intentionally ran over puppy”
CBS Los Angeles report
NBC Los Angeles — “Female driver wanted for ‘intentionally’ running over a puppy in Santa Ana”
NBC Los Angeles report
MyNewsLA — “Santa Ana Police Seek Help Woman Who Fatally Struck Puppy”
MyNewsLA report
