Scarce rapid tests force Berkeley nursing homes to make agonizing choices
Most nursing homes don’t have enough rapid tests for managing omicron, leading to poignant decisions on who they can help.
Kate Darby Rauch
Freelancer Catherine "Kate" Rauch has been contributing to Berkeleyside for several years, and also happens to live in Berkeley, near downtown. Her work as a journalist has encompassed everything from 10 years as a daily news reporter for the East Bay Times, based in Richmond, to freelancing for a range of news sources including the Washington Post, Newsday, the Seattle Times, SF Chronicle and Oakland Magazine. Kate likes general assignment work and jumping into a variety of topics and stories, but has a background as a health writer, which includes writing for WebMD, Babycenter.com, Caring.com, UC San Francisco Medical Center, Kaiser and Sutter Health. Her awards include a first place in health and science writing from the Washington State Press Association, a first place in spot news from the Peninsula Press Club, and a second place in feature writing from the California Association of Newspaper Publishers. She's also worked as an anthropologist in rural Alaska. She has an MS degree from the Columbia School of Journalism and a BS from UC Berkeley in cultural geography.
Articles by Kate Darby Rauch
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Group asks Cal to preserve century-old buildings, once home to historic girls school
The Anna Head School opened in 1892. Now a group of historians, architects and contractors wants to work with UC Berkeley to preserve some of the school’s decrepit buildings.
No, genetically engineered mosquitoes aren’t about to be released in Berkeley
A confusing City Council item last month suggested Alameda County could soon see a release of genetically engineered mosquitoes as part of a state pilot. But the county never agreed to be included in the study.
Berkeley ends its ‘Healthy Streets’ road barrier program
The city closed 4.2 miles of Berkeley roads to cars during the pandemic. The city manager says lessons from the program will inform a future bike plan.
Berkeley’s only landmarked gas station gets a sorrowful goodbye
The 1930s era brick garage at 1952 Oxford St. is slated for demolition to make way for a 772-bed UC Berkeley student housing project.
Berkeley neighbors fight to save their community garden
In 2004, a group of neighbors were given permission to garden on two empty lots along Ashby Avenue. With one of the lots up for sale, they’re rallying to save their garden.
Berkeley resident, 97, struggles to return to senior home plagued by plumbing problems
Residents of Redwood Gardens, a low-income housing complex on the Clark Kerr campus, have learned to live with recurring flooding in some sections of the building’s first floor.
A lesson in how to escape wildfire by foot in the Berkeley Hills
The Berkeley Path Wanderers Association held an educational “Escape from the Hills” event to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Oakland-Berkeley Hills Firestorm.
Berkeley to Nixle users: Sign up now for AC Alert if you haven’t already
Berkeley will no longer funnel messages from AC Alert to Nixle to prevent redundant messages and confusion, the city announced.
How seniors and people with disabilities can prepare for wildfires
Issues with mobility, hearing, vision, frailty and intellectual or developmental disabilities make emergency preparedness more challenging. Preparation can help and may save lives.
The shrubs across the street nearly cost him his home insurance
It’s not yet common, but in high-risk fire neighborhoods, Berkeley Hills residents may find that keeping their home insurance depends on how well their neighbors prune their property.
How to defend your Berkeley home from wildfire
How do you protect your property? What does the law require? What help is available? What if you rent? What do you need to know about fire insurance?
The big picture: Wildfire danger, risk and history in Berkeley
How dangerous are wildfires? What’s the history of wildfires? What activities are dangerous during fire season? What apps can help?
Popular Cal trail closes for wildland fire safety work, but bulk of the wildfire mitigation plan mired in lawsuits
During the six-month “Jordan Fire Trail Improvement” project, the trail will be closed, except on Sundays, according to the university.
Berkeley starts giving out COVID-19 ‘boosters,’ though most won’t be eligible for months
The city started giving third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine last week to people with compromised immune systems.
Coyote bounty earns reproach for Berkeley man whose cat got eaten
Coyote sightings are flooding social media, though pet killings are down this year in Berkeley. Many wildlife experts agree: Coyotes will adapt, and we’ll have to learn to live with them.
