KPCC: Stories by Susan Valot

Costa Mesa City Council to ask governor to stop sale of fairgrounds

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:50:10 -0800

The Costa Mesa City Council voted last night to ask Governor Schwarzenegger to stop the sale of the Orange County Fairgrounds.

Orange County supervisor heads to runoff for Assembly seat

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:40:06 -0800

Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby will head to a January runoff in the bid to replace former state Assemblyman Mike Duvall. Duvall resigned earlier this year after he was caught on tape bragging about supposed extramarital affairs. Voters in northern Orange County hit the polls yesterday in a primary election to replace Duvall.

Steady flow of people moves through free H1N1 vaccine clinic in Carson

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:13:37 -0800

Today’s free H1N1 vaccination clinic at the Home Depot Center in Carson was expected to be one of the largest so far in Los Angeles County. By midday, the turnout was steady, with a pretty constant flow of people.

Metrolink considers raising fares

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Come the beginning of the year, you could be paying more to ride Metrolink trains. The board overseeing Metrolink will consider raising fares when it meets Friday.

Some communities prepare for, others ditch swine flu vaccination clinics

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:49:23 -0800

Torrance is gearing up for its first swine flu vaccination clinic next month. That's the next H1N1 clinic in the South Bay. Turnout at earlier ones in the South Bay has been enormous. That's convinced other cities to postpone their clinics - or skip them altogether.

Angeles Forest officials use Station Fire to fine tune Twitter policy

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

The Station Fire burned nearly 250 square miles in the Angeles National Forest, destroyed homes and buildings, and sent people and animals running for their lives. But there was a silver lining in those giant pyrocumulus clouds. The fire helped officials fine tune how they’ll use social media during future fires and disasters.

Volunteers watch for flames, suspicious activity in windy conditions

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

When the Santa Ana winds come out, so do the firebugs. Some communities in high fire danger areas take precaution into their own hands by adding more of their own eyes to keep watch.

Orange County doctor from Germany remembers day the Berlin Wall fell

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

Twenty years ago today, the Berlin Wall fell. East Germans kept away from loved ones for 28 years swarmed past the wall's suddenly unguarded checkpoints. An Orange County doctor was living in Germany at the time.

Assemblymen to hold hearing on sale of OC Fairgrounds

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0800

You can put in your two cents this morning about the state’s proposed sale of the Orange County Fairgrounds. Two California lawmakers are holding an informational hearing in the Costa Mesa City Council chambers today from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Local agencies, groups provide H1N1 'swine flu' vaccination clinics

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:48:54 -0800

Several organizations are offering free H1N1 "swine flu" vaccination clinics this month. The vaccine is being limited to certain higher-risk groups. Below is a listing of some of the upcoming clinics in Orange and San Bernardino counties.

Former Orangewood Children’s Foundation official convicted of stealing donations

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:00:38 -0800

The former chief financial officer of the Orangewood Children’s Foundation has pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations. Tracy Lynn Salcido of Yorba Linda entered the plea in a Santa Ana courtroom today.

Work to begin to add eastbound lane on 91 Freeway

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:00:14 -0800

If you drive on the 91 Freeway between Orange County and the Inland Empire, you’ll notice work crews soon. Officials today broke ground to add an eastbound lane to the freeway, around Green River, near the county line. It's an area that's infamous for being clogged.

Crews to begin work on new lane on 91 Freeway

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

People who commute between Orange County and the Inland Empire may have some relief in sight. Crews are set to begin work Tuesday on a new lane along the 91 Freeway.

Today is last day to register for special Orange County Assembly election

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

If you live in certain parts of Orange County, Monday's the last day to register to vote in a special election coming up later this month. The election will fill the vacant seat in the state Assembly district in northern Orange County.

Federal judge throws out lawsuit challenging Obama presidency

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:10:31 -0800

A federal judge in Santa Ana has thrown out a lawsuit that challenged President Obama's right to hold office. The judge delivered his ruling in a written decision today.

Orange County begins free swine, seasonal flu shot clinics

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Orange County hosts its first free swine flu vaccine clinic this weekend. But it’s kicking off the flu season with free seasonal vaccine clinics first.

UCLA economists predict OC economy to remain flat next year

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:00:00 -0800

UCLA economists say for the next year or so, Orange County’s economy will be like Alvin of the Chipmunks: kind of flat. But they say the local economy is starting to turn around. They released their Orange County Economic Outlook today.

UC Irvine study suggests bad driving sometimes genetic

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:19:46 -0800

A new study suggests bad driving may be in your genes.

Judge throws out ex-OC sheriff lieutenant’s case against Carona

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:24:41 -0800

A federal judge in Los Angeles this morning threw out a First Amendment lawsuit by a former Orange County Sheriff’s lieutenant against ex-Sheriff Mike Carona.

Burned Area Emergency Response Report details long road ahead for Station Fire area

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:56:01 -0800

It’ll be a long road to recovery for the nearly 250 square miles of Angeles National Forest land that burned in the Station Fire. The Burned Area Emergency Response (or BAER) team has provided a roadmap for the recovery.