KPCC: Stories by Susan Valot

Program tries to catch PTSD vets in college

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 06:00:00 -0700

They call themselves “ghosts on campus.” Young vets, transported from roadside bombs and firefights in Iraq or Afghanistan, suddenly back home and in college where no one understands the fear and violence they went through. Post-traumatic stress disorder psychologist Todd Adamson deals with the “ghosts” every day.

Aging Baby Boomers bring changes to funeral industry

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 05:00:00 -0700

The first of America's 70 million or so “Baby Boomers” turn 65 this year. That’s a lot of people heading into their “golden years.” They’ve changed the way we look at love, sex, work – and death. That last one means big changes in the funeral industry.

State officials no longer want to sell Orange County fairgrounds

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:28:44 -0700

Today is the first day of the annual Orange County Fair, but a long, wild ride over the fate of its venue may be nearing its end.

Dodger Stadium beating suspect's girlfriend jailed

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:59:59 -0700

Denise Piccione, the girlfriend of a man suspected in the near-fatal beating of a San Francisco Giants fan outside a game a few months ago, has been arrested in Las Vegas on unrelated charges.

Costa Mesa introduces new police chief

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:51:55 -0700

Costa Mesa's new police chief, Tom Gazsi, was a captain and a 32-year veteran of the police department in neighboring Newport Beach. Gazsi arrives at the Costa Mesa Police Department the month after the department’s interim chief resigned abruptly in frustration over budget cuts.

Orange County's 91 Freeway to undergo $73M expansion

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:35:02 -0700

Transportation officials kicked off a nearly $73 million project Monday in Anaheim that will add a new lane in each direction of a six-mile stretch of eastern Orange County's 91 Freeway.

Nixon Library celebrates 40th anniversary of 'ping pong diplomacy'

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:47:54 -0700

Judy Hoarfrost and George Braithwaite warm up with paddles and an orange ping pong ball in the hallway at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda. They were on the U.S. table tennis team that traveled to play the Chinese team in Japan in 1971, and to China itself the following year. It became known as “ping pong diplomacy.”

Irvine’s Great Park ready to open 2 new sections

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 07:00:00 -0700

Remember the classic 1980s TV commercials where the old lady asks, “Where’s the beef?” That’s pretty much how a lot of people feel about the Orange County Great Park in Irvine: Where’s the park?

Disneyland rolls out new audio guide for blind visitors

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:00:20 -0700

Main Street is busy and noisy. It’s packed with people, strolling by the classic old-time storefronts. Horse-drawn trolleys and old jalopies carry camera-clad visitors. If you’re blind, it’s hard to tell what’s going on. That’s why the Disneyland today unveiled a free, handheld audio device, which uses GPS to trigger descriptions of the park’s outdoor areas.

Judge suspends layoffs of Costa Mesa city workers

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:53:58 -0700

Layoffs in the city of Costa Mesa were put on hold Tuesday as a Santa Ana Superior Court judge made the decision to issue a preliminary injunction until a lawsuit fighting the layoffs winds its way through the courts.

Chapman University bids to buy Crystal Cathedral

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:42:05 -0700

Officials at Chapman University say it’s put in a proposal to purchase the Crystal Cathedral’s land and buildings in Garden Grove.

Orange County college students 1 of 5 US teams to reach international robotics finals

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:49:52 -0700

A group of college students from Orange County heads to New York City this Friday to take part in an international robotics competition.

New OCLINK transit pass kicks into gear in Orange County

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:27:31 -0700

A new type of public transportation pass, the OCLINK Pass, kicks into gear today in Orange County.

Orange County officials remind parents of pool safety

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 10:26:50 -0700

Pools and beaches are attractive places to be this hot holiday weekend, and that’s one reason Orange County officials want parents to prevent drowning with extra vigilance.

New Disney park rides bring new technology to life

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:25:16 -0700

The Disneyland Resort has opened three new rides this summer. “Goofy’s Sky School” launched today. The newly revamped Star Tours in Disneyland contains obvious high-tech touches. Now it’s in 3-D with varied storylines each time. In some parts of Disney California Adventure, the advances aren’t quite so obvious.

Orange County firefighters urge parents to keep an eye on kids to prevent drownings

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:44:04 -0700

As a hot summer settles in, the Orange County Fire Authority urges parents to keep a close eye on their kids at the pool or the beach. Firefighters staged a mock rescue today in Irvine to drive home their point.

Disney California Adventure tries to be more family-friendly

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 06:00:00 -0700

Disney’s California Adventure theme park is now 11 years old, and like all youngsters, it’s had a few growing pains. The park is currently undergoing a huge expansion that will cost Disney more than it spent to build it in the first place. The expansion addresses some flaws California Adventure has had since the beginning.

OC jails must provide access under Americans with Disabilities, judge rules

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:11:22 -0700

U.S. District Court Judge Audrey B. Collins ruled Tuesday that Orange County’s jails need to provide access to all inmates under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Citizenship drive targets California's Asian-Americans

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 06:30:57 -0700

As the most American of holidays approaches this weekend, several of Southern Califonia's Asian-American groups are trying to close the gap between the number of Asian-Americans who live legally in the United States and the number who become citizens. The citizenship drive began recently with workshops, including one in Santa Ana.

Orange County supervisors approve $5.6 billion budget, 2.7 percent bigger than last year

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:29:30 -0700

Orange County supervisors approved a budget today that increases spending 2.7 percent at a time when most local governments are shrinking. It's the first time in years that Orange County's budget will grow.