Three decades after protesting anti-immigrant legislation, former teenage activist Omar Dieguez is reviving Watsonville’s Brown Berets to mentor a new generation facing similar struggles.
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 inAptos
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office investigating series of burglaries in Aptos
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating more than a dozen burglaries, at both residential and commercial properties, in Aptos over the past week, and is advising residents to take precautionary measures.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville votes to expand use of controversial Flock license plate readers despite immigration fears
The Watsonville City Council voted Tuesday night to renew a two-year contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate readers and add 17 more cameras throughout the city. Nearly 50 community members filled the council chambers to voice concerns over immigration enforcement risks.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Watsonville hospital courts health care partners as federal cuts threaten multimillion-dollar loss
After purchasing its land and facilities last year through a $116 million voter-approved bond, Watsonville Community Hospital now faces up to $8.4 million in annual losses from federal Medicaid cuts. The public hospital is speeding up a search for a health care partner to manage operations and avoid a financial crisis.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County residents gather at courthouse to remember children and families killed in Gaza
Nearly 80 Santa Cruz residents gathered at the county courthouse Friday to remember the lives of children and families killed in Gaza. Activists and community members shared personal stories and brought awareness to growing humanitarian crisis from Israel’s ongoing attacks on Palestine.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Everything you need to know about the 2025 Santa Cruz County Fair
The Santa Cruz County Fair runs from Wednesday, Sept. 10, through Sunday, Sept. 14, at the fairgrounds outside Watsonville.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Ask Lookout: Is Santa Cruz County considering additional locations for battery storage facilities?
Santa Cruz County residents are concerned that the battery storage facility proposed outside Watsonville is not the only possible location within the county for battery storage. County officials and developers say the South County project is the only pending application and viable location.
Posted inLatest News
Watsonville activist to start monthlong hunger strike protesting pesticides on farms near schools
Watsonville activist Omar Dieguez is embarking on a 30-day hunger strike, protesting the use of pesticides on agricultural fields located near schools across the Pajaro Valley.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
New database reveals at least 21 police misconduct, shooting, use of force cases in Santa Cruz County
A newly released police database includes at least 21 cases from Santa Cruz County of law enforcement agencies using force or involved in shootings, along with investigations into officer misconduct on and off duty.
Posted inLatest News
‘People are overwhelmed’: Pajaro River levee residents face Monday deadline to leave, with no sure place to go
Along the Pajaro River levee, where chickens roost in makeshift homes and cats roam freely, outreach workers are rushing to help residents and their pets find somewhere to go ahead of flood control repairs set to begin next week.