Negocios, mercados de pulgas y distribuciones de alimentos en Watsonville dicen que han visto una fuerte disminución mientras las redadas migratorias se intensifican a nivel nacional, obligando a miembros de la comunidad inmigrante a evitar lugares públicos concurridos.
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 inLatest News
Los temores de deportación crecen en el condado de Santa Cruz mientras aumentan las redadas migratorias y protestas en todo EE.UU.
Mientras las redadas migratorias y protestas continúan intensificándose en Los Ángeles y se extienden por todo el país, los líderes del condado de Santa Cruz dicen que están haciendo todo lo posible para mantener a raya los temores de los residentes. Mientras tanto, un portavoz de ICE le dijo a Lookout: “No es un secreto que estaremos en el campo”.
Posted inLatest News
Deportation fears grow in Santa Cruz County as immigration raids, protests escalate across U.S.
As immigration raids and protests continue to escalate in Los Angeles and spread across the country, Santa Cruz County leaders say they are doing their best to keep residents’ fears at bay. Meanwhile, an ICE spokesperson tells Lookout: “There’s no secret that we’ll be out in the field.”
Posted inLatest News
Cal Fire contains Mount Hermon-area blaze; roads to remain closed into rush hour
Agencies including Cal Fire moved quickly Friday to contain a blaze off Mount Hermon Road between Felton and Scotts Valley, pronouncing the Hermon fire 100% contained just after 1:30 p.m.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Encompass closes one mental health site, another at risk as budget cuts loom
Encompass Community Services, Santa Cruz County’s largest nonprofit provider of behavioral mental health residential programs, says its Casa Pacific facility in Watsonville is at risk of closure as a result of funding cuts from the county. The nonprofit has already closed its Live Oak crisis mental health facility for the same reasons.
Posted inLatest News
PG&E delays restart of Elkhorn battery facility after identifying equipment malfunctions
Pacific Gas & Electric is delaying reopening its Elkhorn battery storage facility after identifying equipment malfunctions. In May, the utility company had announced plans to restart operations at its facility on June 1, after being offline since January following the massive fire at a neighboring facility in Moss Landing.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
After two bodies found at Pajaro River levee, Watsonville councilmember’s grave suspicion raises new questions
Watsonville City Councilmember Casey Clark suspected there might be bodies buried on the Pajaro River levee after encountering a memorial during a walk. His suspicions have only increased as Monterey County detectives discovered two bodies on the levee in the past two months.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz Pride’s 50th-anniversary celebration culminates in vibrant parade down Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz Pride capped off its 50th-anniversary celebration with a downtown parade Sunday morning. Hundreds of Santa Cruz residents lined up along Pacific Avenue decked out in Pride colors to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
Posted inLatest News
Nearly 1,000 gather at Main Beach to create ‘Resist!’ human banner protesting Trump administration
Around 1,000 people gathered Saturday morning at Santa Cruz Main Beach to spell out the word “Resist!” The event, organized by Indivisible Santa Cruz County, aimed to protest the Trump administration and celebrate Santa Cruz Pride’s 50th anniversary.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville approves $12 million in bonds for Ramsay Park, city plaza renovation projects
The Watsonville City Council voted to authorize a lease revenue bond to help address funding gaps for the city’s Ramsay Park and downtown plaza renovation projects. The $12 million bond will be split between the two.