Can an unfinished but ‘usable’ basement space be taxed? Berkeley says ‘yes’ and the courts have agreed
A number of property owners are challenging how the city assesses special taxes. They believe they have been overcharged and are seeking redress.
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.
Update: Air quality in Berkeley has improved; now listed as ‘moderate’
Air quality in the city has been improving steadily over the day Monday, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's monitor in West Berkeley. As of noon, the rating was listed as moderate.
One of Berkeley’s largest landlords sells 6 apartment complexes to Texas group
The sale transfers 314 units around downtown that mostly house students and could bring over $4 million in transfer taxes to the city.
The Berkeley Hills go dark and residents step up to help one another
After power was shut off to UC Berkeley and thousands of homes and businesses starting at 11 p.m. on Oct. 9, Berkeleyans found ways to cope.
West Berkeley neighbors rally to help brothers twice evicted from their family home
On a recent Saturday, neighbors heard a commotion. Police had arrived, there was shouting and two brothers who'd lived all their lives in a small stucco house on Evelyn Ave. were being forcibly evicted to the street.
Last vacant lot on landmarked Greenwood Common is for sale
The site, known for its mid-century homes, isn't under protective status, but current residents hope the new owner will “be respectful and honor the Common.”
Berkeley residents don’t seem willing to give up their gym memberships at Equinox, SoulCycle to protest Trump
While many gym members don't like the idea that a major investor in the fitness facilities threw a fundraiser for Trump, they said canceling their memberships might hurt those who work there.
Elderly homeowner, forced to leave home because of code violations, moves back in
When the homeowner did not voluntarily repair his house, a court-appointed receiver spent around $550K to fix it. The City Council will review the situation on Tuesday.
Berkeley homeowner caught in costly code violation spiral
Berkeley cited 1911 Harmon St. for code violations. When they were not corrected, the court appointed a receiver to make the repairs, which cost $600,000. The original owner has to come up with a repayment plan.
As it investigates fatal tree fall, UC Berkeley promises transparency
The 250-foot eucalyptus that toppled Jan. 6, killing a man, had not been flagged as posing any danger in recent years, but officials are examining everything that might have led to its fall.
Berkeley program focused on work aims to offer lifeline to the homeless
The Streets Team program provides work experience to people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless with the goal that it will help them land paid employment.
Foxes venture into urban Berkeley
That bushy tail you saw scampering away near Ohlone Greenway? Yep, it's probably a gray fox.
With rent control in state spotlight, five seats open on Berkeley rent board
If state Proposition 10 passes, Berkeley's system of rent control – and the role of the Rent Board – could change dramatically.
Berkeley’s oldest restaurant, Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto, has permanently closed
The shutdown of the 128-year-old restaurant follows closely after the closures of longtime Berkeley institutions Brennan's and Hs Lordships.
Officials overturn landmark designation for UC Berkeley’s Campanile Way
A several-year effort to designate Campanile Way as a city landmark hit a major bump last month when the City Council reversed a decision by the Landmarks Preservation Commission to do just this.
Neighbors rally against planned beach volleyball courts on UC Berkeley’s Clark Kerr campus
UC Berkeley wants to upgrade the sand volleyball courts to comply with Title IX regulations, but some neighbors say that will conflict with covenants the university agreed to.
