Capitola city leaders are one step closer to finalizing its district-based election system. The five-member city council selected a district map and which seats will be up for election in 2028, when the city will begin its formal transition into districts.
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
State energy commission determines New Leaf Energy’s application for Watsonville project ‘incomplete’
The California Energy Commission has determined that an application from Massachusetts-based developer New Leaf Energy for its proposed battery storage facility located in Watsonville is incomplete following a 30-day review. The state energy commission finished its initial review of New Leaf’s application on July 8. It determined that the developers need additional information for more […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘Where are we supposed to go?’: Watsonville’s new camping ban deepens anxiety for unhoused residents
For eight years, 58-year-old farmworker Alejandro Garcia has struggled to find a safe place to sleep in Watsonville. His anxiety is now compounding as the city implements new rules that ban camping along rivers and sloughs, allowing crews to clear encampments without warning.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville approves ‘no encampment zones’ along sloughs, levee and downtown plaza
Watsonville City Council will decide whether to make changes to its camping ordinance, establishing “no encampment zones” in areas such the Struve Slough, the Pajaro River levee and other public spaces around the city.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Moss Landing battery plant cleanup enters tougher next phase, with demolition expected into 2027
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is gearing up to begin the next phase of its Moss Landing cleanup efforts, following a massive January 2025 fire that damaged a large portion of a battery storage facility.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Supervisors shelve battery storage ordinance after Watsonville project moves to state
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to shelve a local ordinance regulating battery storage systems following a decision by the developer of a project proposed for outside Watsonville to seek approval through the state.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Board of supervisors approves compromise to save Santa Cruz County arts funding
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday morning to approve a budget proposal that preserves most of the county’s arts funding and avoids major cuts in services and programs offered by the parks department.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Tony Nuñez unseats incumbent Felipe Hernandez in District 4 county supervisor race
Tony Nuñez, a longtime community leader and former journalist, has unseated incumbent Felipe Hernandez in the District 4 county supervisor race. This is the first time in recent memory that a challenger has defeated an incumbent in the primary for this race.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Watsonville Community Hospital appoints veteran healthcare leader as interim CEO
Watsonville Community Hospital leadership has appointed Tim Moran, a longtime healthcare leader, as interim CEO. He will take over for outgoing CEO Stephen Gray following his last day on July 10.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County arts community mourns ‘life without color’ in protest of proposed budget cuts
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.
