A Santa Cruz County judge sided with the Watsonville Pilots Association, finding that the City of Watsonville violated state aviation safety and environmental review guidelines when elected officials approved a 21-unit housing development near the city’s airport in 2021.
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
Líder comunitario de larga trayectoria y ex periodista Tony Nuñez anuncia candidatura para el puesto de supervisor del Distrito 4
Tony Nuñez, líder comunitario de larga trayectoria y ex periodista, se postula para el puesto del Distrito 4 en la Junta de Supervisores del Condado de Santa Cruz. Nuñez es el actual presidente de la junta del Distrito de Atención Médica del Valle de Pájaro, que opera el Hospital Comunitario de Watsonville, y trabaja para la organización sin fines de lucro Community Bridges.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Longtime community leader, former journalist Tony Nuñez announces bid for District 4 supervisor seat
Tony Nuñez, a longtime community leader and former journalist, is running for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors 4th District seat. Nuñez is the current board chair of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District, which operates Watsonville Community Hospital, and works for nonprofit Community Bridges.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville becomes first city in Santa Cruz County to restrict feds from using its facilities for immigration enforcement activities
Watsonville is the first city in Santa Cruz County to prohibit the use of city-owned facilities for federal immigration enforcement. It follows in the footsteps of cities such as San Jose and Santa Clara, which have adopted similar policies.
Posted inLatest News
Watsonville se convierte en la primera ciudad del condado en restringir el uso de sus instalaciones por parte de autoridades federales de inmigración para actividades de control
La ciudad de Watsonville es la primera en el condado de Santa Cruz en prohibir el uso de instalaciones municipales para la aplicación de leyes civiles de inmigración. Watsonville sigue los pasos de ciudades como San José y Santa Clara, que también han adoptado políticas similares.
Posted inHousing & Development
Supervisors reject neighbors’ appeal of 57-unit Capitola Road project
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has rejected an appeal filed by Live Oak residents to stop a 57-unit housing project that used the state builder’s remedy mechanism, which allows the project to override local approval.
Posted inEducation
Watsonville teacher placed on leave after making pro-ICE comment on social media
Lookout spoke with Sarai Jimenez, the teacher who in January posted a pro-ICE comment on social media, prompting a flurry of angry posts on Watsonville internet groups. Pajaro Valley Unified administrators declined to comment, but parents at the school where she taught until last month say they’re shocked and unsettled.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Watsonville hires ‘matchmaker’ to spur economic development
Watsonville is working with an Alabama-based retail consultant to bring national retailers and restaurants to spur economic development in the city and provide local shopping options for residents.
Posted inEducation
Maestra de Watsonville puesta en licencia tras hacer comentario pro-ICE en redes sociales
Lookout habló con Sarai Jimenez, la maestra que en enero publicó un comentario pro-ICE en redes sociales, lo que provocó una oleada de publicaciones airadas en grupos de internet de Watsonville. Los administradores del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Pajaro Valley declinaron hacer comentarios, pero padres en la escuela donde enseñó hasta el mes pasado dicen que están conmocionados e inquietos.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Watsonville airport braces for crowds flying in for Super Bowl weekend
Watsonville Municipal Airport is welcoming tourists from all over the country as they arrive in the region to watch Super Bowl LX this weekend. Watsonville is one of 16 regional airports selected by the FAA to help support the increase in air travel for the big game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.