Nancy Bilicich and Ed Acosta will face off for the District 7 Watsonville City Council seat. The winner will replace termed-out City Councilmember Ari Parker.
Tania Ortiz
Tania Ortiz joins Lookout Santa Cruz as the California Local News Fellow to cover South County. Tania earned her master’s degree in journalism in December 2023 from Syracuse University, where she was a Newhouse Diversity News Fellow. In Syracuse, she covered life and culture for Syracuse.com, writing features on local artists and organizations making an impact on the community.
While studying for her master’s, Tania also reported on feminist collectives in Mexico and their efforts to support families of femicide victims as a Pulitzer Center grantee. She’s also written for other publications such as the Charleston City Paper, The South Side Stand and the Los Angeles Journal.
Originally from Oceanside, Tania is excited to be reporting in her home state after living on the East Coast for two years. She looks forward to learning more about Santa Cruz County and connecting with the community through her reporting.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Nancy Bilicich busca regresar al Concejo Municipal de Watsonville mientras Ed Acosta pide “algo nuevo”
Nancy Bilicich y Ed Acosta se enfrentarán por el escaño del Distrito 7 del Concejo Municipal de Watsonville. El ganador reemplazará al actual concejal Ari Parker.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville City Council candidates find common ground on downtown, housing and the city’s future
Candidates for Watsonville’s District 5 and 7 city council seats discussed a variety of issues impacting the city, including Flock Safety cameras, infrastructure and economic development, during a Lookout election forum.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County confronts $30 million budget shortfall while touting progress on mental health, homelessness
Santa Cruz County leaders held their first State of the County address Tuesday evening, providing residents an overview of recent successes but also serious financial challenges that lie ahead for the county.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Watsonville Community Hospital NICU remains closed, adding anxiety for expecting families
Watsonville Community Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit has been closed since mid-July because of staffing shortages, with no reopening date set. Local maternal health advocates say the closure is adding anxiety for expecting families.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
La unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales Watsonville Community Hospital sigue cerrada, aumentando la ansiedad entre las familias que esperan un bebé
La unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales (UCIN) del Watsonville Community Hospital permanece cerrada desde mediados de julio debido a la falta de personal, y aún no se ha establecido una fecha para su reapertura. Defensores locales de la salud materna afirman que el cierre está aumentando la ansiedad entre las familias que esperan un bebé.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Santa Cruz County Fair saw increase in attendance after lowering admission prices
Santa Cruz County Fair officials say attendance at this year’s event increased by 11%.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville reducirá las cámaras de vigilancia Flock de 37 a 20 y endurecerá las reglas sobre los datos
El martes, el Concejo Municipal de Watsonville votó 5-2 a favor de reducir el uso de las cámaras Flock por parte del departamento de policía, después de una discusión de casi cinco horas que por momentos fue tensa.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville to cut Flock surveillance cameras from 37 to 20, tighten data rules
The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday voted 5-2 to scale back the police department’s use of Flock Safety cameras after an often-tense, nearly five-hour discussion.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville City Council to revisit Flock Safety contract one year after renewal, amid growing community concerns
The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to revisit its contract with Atlanta-based tech company Flock Safety. Councilmember Ari Parker suggested bringing the issue back for a public discussion after hearing concerns from community members.
