Following a nearly two-hour discussion and after hearing from the county’s arts community Wednesday, Santa Cruz County supervisors delayed their approval of the parks department budget, which included a proposed cut in arts funding to local organizations.
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
Santa Cruz County receives $500,000 to support ongoing cleanup and beautification efforts
Santa Cruz County is receiving a combined $500,000 from a California state grant and from an anonymous donor to help support its community beautification and litter cleanup efforts.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County finds creative multidepartment fix to close $1.1 million public defender budget gap
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved a multidepartment fix to fill a $1.1 million funding gap for the public defender’s office Wednesday after a proposal to create an in-house alternate office was rejected.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County contract with Arts Council on chopping block amid tough budget year; MAH funding cuts also proposed
Santa Cruz County staff are proposing to cut a $170,000 contract with the Arts Council and reductions to a contract with the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History to address a funding gap in the county’s parks department in a tough budget year.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Dungeons & Dragons group thrives in an unlikely place – local libraries – thanks to a volunteer at the helm
A Dungeons & Dragons program offered by Santa Cruz Public Libraries provides a welcoming and fun environment for people interested in the game thanks to an enthusiastic volunteer, who’ll be leaving the program to embark on a new chapter living in Europe.
Posted inLatest News
Black Surf Santa Cruz to hold annual Liberation Paddle-Out to commemorate Juneteenth
Black Surf Santa Cruz is hosting its sixth annual Liberation Paddle-Out to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday. The paddle-out is scheduled at 3 p.m. Friday, with the festivities beginning at noon at Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
District 4 county supervisor race: Nuñez maintains narrow majority; run-off still possible
Tony Nuñez continues to hold a narrow majority in the District 4 Board of Supervisors race, maintaining a lead over incumbent Felipe Hernandez, but there still is a possibility for a November run-off if Nuñez dips below 50%.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County scrambles to close public defender funding gap after supervisors split on cost-cutting plan
In a tough budget year, Santa Cruz County is proposing to create an alternate public defender’s office to help reduce costs and maintain its holistic defense model, which connects clients with social workers and services. The move, however, would end a longstanding contract with a local law firm.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County Superior Court: Immigration attorney Alisa Thomas secures open seat in judge race
Immigration attorney Alisa Thomas has defeated criminal defense attorney Bryan Hackett in the race for an open seat on the Santa Cruz County Superior Court.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Capitola voters will elect four district representatives — and a mayor — under new system
As Capitola continues its switch to district-based elections, the city council approved the creation of four districts plus an elected mayor with a two-year term. The first districting maps are expected to be publicly shared by June 17.
