Power outages in Aptos have been an issue for years, and have become more frequent in the past year. Residents have grown frustrated with the lack of communication from PG&E about outage causes and why they continue to happen. Part of the issue is how at-risk Aptos is for wildfires and how that triggers an automatic shut-off system when fire dangers are detected.
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
Capitola Wharf grand reopening marks end of yearlong renovation project
The Capitola Wharf is set to reopen to the public on Sept. 25 following a yearlong renovation project. The community has invested heavily in the rebuild, raising $425,000 for additional features and participating in an art installation for the wharf’s gate.
Posted inLatest News
As homeless population shifts from Santa Cruz to Watsonville, officials aim to invest in South County services
Santa Cruz County officials on Tuesday pointed to a shift in the population of people experiencing homelessness from Santa Cruz to Watsonville and said that a new shelter and other services were needed in the southern part of the county before homeless encampments could be targeted as encouraged by an executive order by Gov. Gavin Newsom.