Watsonville Community Hospital leadership says significant changes are needed by April 1 to keep the struggling facility open. The hospital board could decide as soon as Oct. 28 whether to pursue options that include closing labor and delivery and the neonatal intensive care unit, potentially ending services that account for nearly one-third of Santa Cruz County births.
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 inHealth & Wellness
El Hospital Comunitario de Watsonville podría cerrar sus servicios de maternidad para evitar el cierre definitivo
Los directivos del Hospital Comunitario de Watsonville afirman que se necesitan cambios importantes antes del 1 de abril para mantener abierto el centro médico, que atraviesa dificultades financieras. La junta directiva podría decidir, tan pronto como el 28 de octubre, si considera opciones que incluyen cerrar la unidad de trabajo de parto y parto y la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales (UCIN), lo que podría poner fin a servicios que atienden casi un tercio de los nacimientos del condado de Santa Cruz.
Posted inLatest News
‘No Kings’ rallies Saturday in Santa Cruz County: Where to go and how to vote early
Political organizers across Santa Cruz County are hoping to draw large crowds this weekend for a fourth round of “No Kings” protests that will focus on getting people to vote in the November midterm elections.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County Measure E: What to know about the proposed temporary half-cent sales tax
Santa Cruz County’s Measure E would impose a five-year, half-cent sales tax increase expected to raise about $27 million annually to help address a worsening budget outlook and potential losses in healthcare and other safety-net funding.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Medida E del condado de Santa Cruz: lo que hay que saber sobre el aumento temporal propuesto de medio centavo en el impuesto sobre las ventas
La Medida E del condado de Santa Cruz impondría un aumento de medio centavo en el impuesto sobre las ventas durante cinco años. Se espera que genere aproximadamente 27 millones de dólares al año para ayudar a enfrentar el empeoramiento de las perspectivas presupuestarias y las posibles pérdidas de fondos destinados a la atención médica y otros programas de protección social.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Capitola City Council: Meet the five candidates vying for three open seats
In Capitola, five well-known names in the community are on the ballot competing for three open seats on the city council. The top three vote-getters will win. This is also the last election cycle under Capitola’s at-large system.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Capitola City Council candidates agree on budget, rail trail — but differ slightly on housing
Five candidates for the Capitola City Council discussed a variety of issues affecting the city, including the city budget and the Coastal Rail Trail, during an election forum Wednesday evening.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville City Council District 5: Angel Zuniga challenges Casey Clark in race that will determine 2027 mayor
Political newcomer Angel Zuniga is challenging first-term incumbent Casey Clark for Watsonville’s District 5 City Council seat, with an unusual prize awaiting the winner: becoming mayor in 2027.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Concejo Municipal de Watsonville, Distrito 5: Angel Zuniga desafía a Casey Clark en una contienda que determinará quién será alcalde en 2027
El recién llegado a la política Angel Zuniga desafía al actual concejal Casey Clark, quien cumple su primer mandato, por el escaño del Distrito 5 del Concejo Municipal de Watsonville. El ganador recibirá un premio inusual: convertirse en alcalde en 2027.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Nancy Bilicich seeks Watsonville council comeback as Ed Acosta calls for ‘something new’
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.
