Rachel began reporting in 2017 at her community college publication in San Luis Obispo, California, where she covered stories about the city, including a hit-and-run that killed a college student and devastated the community.
She then transferred to California State University, Long Beach, working as news editor and later managing editor of the university's publication, the Long Beach Current. In Long Beach, Rachel covered several local interest stories, including breaking a story before city publications about illegal dumping on sacred Native American land, known as Puvungna, located on campus.
In college, Rachel was awarded first place for Best News Series at the California College Media Awards for her coverage of a shooting threat that impacted CSULB in 2019. She was also awarded second place at the California Journalism Awards for her enterprise news series "Behind the Scenes" that showcased lesser-known aspects of CSULB.
Just before her graduation in 2020, Rachel joined EdSource's first-ever student journalism corps and was part of a three-person team that published the first student-reported news story on the publication's website. The story detailed how the COVID-19 pandemic hit homeless and housing-insecure students in Los Angeles County hard and what unique struggles they faced during the tumultuous time.
Rachel started working at Patch in 2022, covering Los Angeles County's South Bay region and Long Beach. During her time as a Los Angeles reporter, Rachel covered a variety of topics, including a form of plastic pollution impacting the California coast called Nurdles. Rachel also featured on PBS show "Sustaining US" to inform the larger community about nurdles.
In Spring 2025, Rachel transferred to Patch's team of reporters in Illinois and now covers communities in Chicago's North Shore, including: Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest and Highland Park.
Outside of reporting, Rachel enjoys attending concerts, reading and playing Dungeons & Dragons. She has two cats named Bug and Beans, who are a general terror to society but are also incredibly lovable.
Pitches are welcome over email at rachel.barnes@patch.com. Please be respectful.
A driver was hospitalized in serious condition after driving onto tracks in Lake Forest and being struck by a freight train, police said.
Scheibler will join Lake Forest Library in mid-September after serving at libraries across Illinois.
Police in Skokie will be looking out for impaired drivers in the days leading up to Labor Day.
The three-day Skokie event will include live music, a carnival, children's activities, a 5K and food vendors.
A driver crashes after intentionally hitting another IKEA picketer, and a golf club gives locals the grumps.
Weekend park meetings will give Lake Forest residents a chance to talk with aldermen in each ward this fall.
Gizmo will help Wilmette investigators find digital devices and provide comfort to victims and first responders.
Board leaders said the search will include community input as District 65 looks for its next superintendent.
The free two-day event will bring 255 juried artists, kids activities, live music and food to downtown streets.
The crime blotter covers incidents in Winnetka and Glencoe from Aug 10 to 19.
At Monday's Skokie Village Board meeting, Jim Geldermann called for action on panhandling cases involving children.
Families can head to Lazier Field for a free back-to-school celebration with music, activities and food.
Connections for the Homeless said the renovated Evanston shelter is expected to reopen in late spring 2027.
Council approved construction management services as the city advances the permanent remembrance project.
The longtime captain served more than 34 years in Evanston, including 18 years as a captain.
A roof-mounted drone at the Public Safety Building is expected to deliver live video to responders in under 70 seconds.
The crime blotter covers incidents in Highland Park from Aug. 10 through 16.
The Skokie Police Department located a man who was reported missing.
The closed pier at Tower Road Beach could move closer to reopening as Winnetka advances engineering work this week.
A city update says police sent evidence to a Cook County unit that reviews alleged criminal conduct by federal immigration officers.
