KPCC: Stories by Debra Baer

Los Angeles to dedicate the city’s 72nd library branch

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Silver Lake is finally getting a library. The Los Angeles neighborhood will be home to the city’s 72nd branch. The grand opening is this morning.

Community groups, banks sponsor foreclosure prevention fair

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:54:17 -0800

Community groups and mortgage lenders are offering a free foreclosure prevention fair Saturday Nov. 14 for homeowners in South Los Angeles.

Water officials hope to deodorize stinky Orange County reservoir

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

If all goes well, residents of South Orange County will be able to get some fresh air this week. Since before Halloween, they’ve endured a putrid smell coming from a local reservoir.

Shell Oil and its gas stations to pay millions for violating hazardous waste laws

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:13:36 -0800

A California court has ordered Shell Oil to shell out millions of dollars in penalties for violating the state’s hazardous waste and fuel storage laws.

Volunteers needed for final tree planting in Huntington Beach park

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:26:57 -0800

Volunteers are almost finished restoring Butterfly Park in Huntington Beach. They just need to plant a few dozen more trees Satrday morning and are inviting people to help out.

LA County’s hosting free tax assessment appeals seminars

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:42:40 -0800

This week the Los Angeles County tax collector will begin mailing out property tax bills. One silver lining to the lousy real estate market is that some homeowners will pay less this year because property values have fallen.

LA County offers advice on tax appraisal appeals

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Los Angeles County begins mailing out property tax bills this week, on October 15. Many homeowners will be paying less because their properties are worth less than before. KPCC’s Debra Baer reports there’s a free seminar Tuesday for people who think their property taxes are still too high.

Volunteers needed to help restore butterfly habitat

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:00:31 -0800

The Tree Society in Huntington Beach has spent two years restoring a park that used to be a favorite winter stopover for a special butterfly. The organization wants to finish its project soon with a little help from volunteers. KPCC’s Debra Baer says there’s an opportunity to help with some planting tomorrow.

Head of UNICEF asks for donations in Los Angeles for help with several disaster relief efforts

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:57:02 -0800

Earthquakes in Samoa and Indonesia and flooding in the Philippines have displaced an estimated three million people. UNICEF President Caryl Stern says about a million of them are children. Forecasters predict another major storm this weekend, which will likely bring more misery to Filipino flood victims.

Head of UN children’s relief organization asks for donations.

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:53:58 -0800

Relief organizations this week have been scrambling to respond to those two deadly earthquakes in Samoa and Indonesia, as well as flooding in the Philippines. Now a typhoon is bearing down on already displaced families in Manila.

Thousands expected to volunteer for National Public Lands Day

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:49:16 -0800

National Public Lands Day is tomorrow. Thousands of volunteers will head outdoors to get their hands dirty planting trees, repairing trails, and cleaning up wildlands and parks. More from KPCC’s Debra Baer.

Tons of trash picked up on Coastal Cleanup Day

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:49:59 -0800

Cigarette butts to plastic cups and chandeliers. Just about everything we buy can end up at local beaches. Some 150 tons of trash was picked up during Coastal Cleanup Day at LA County beaches.

Firefighters remember 2 of their own who died in Station Fire

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:15:41 -0800

Law enforcement agencies are investigating the start of the Station Fire, including as a homicide. That’s because firefighters Arnie Quinones and Ted Hall died while on duty. At 6 o'clock Friday morning their colleagues at the Hansen Dam command post paused to remember the two men.

Paying tribute to 2 fallen firefighters

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:02:45 -0800

KPCC's Steve Julian talks to Debra Baer, who's joined by Captain Dennis Cross of the L.A. County Fire Department. Cross helped coordinate today's tribute to the two firefighters who were killed battling the Station Fire.

Fallen firefighters tribute; Fire crews make progress on Station Fire

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:04:04 -0800

KPCC's Steve Julian talks to Debra Baer about the mood around today's tribute to the two fallen firefighters of the Station Fire. She also says firefighters have made great progress battling the fire overnight.

Crews working the Station Fire consider backfires and other strategies

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:17:08 -0800

Cal Fire Captain Craig Waag spoke with KPCC's Debra Baer about firefighting strategy as homeowners nervously watched flames on the canyon hillside from their front yards.

March planned in favor of public health care option

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Supporters of a public option in federal health care reform legislation have scheduled a march in south Orange County today. KPCC’s Debra Baer reports that they’re targeting a congressman.

Pomona foreclosure prevention fair offers free advice to struggling homeowners

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:18:38 -0800

Homeowners who are struggling with their mortgages or facing foreclosure can get some free expert advice Saturday.

U-Haul required to improve hazardous material handling

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:28:51 -0800

California’s attorney general and eight district attorneys have reached an agreement with U-Haul in a lawsuit over the company’s handling of hazardous materials. More from KPCC’s Debra Baer.

LA will extend seasonal pool hours beyond Labor Day

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:13:08 -0800

Despite a tight city budget, the city of Los Angeles has announced that it will keep several public swimming pools open beyond Labor Day. A private grant from Kaiser Permanente made it possible.