The City of Watsonville has chosen Corey Schaefer, a 27-year fire department veteran, as its next chief, following the retirement of Rudy López who had been at the helm since 2019. Schaefer was first hired by the department in 1998 as a reserve firefighter. He rose through the ranks, serving as a firefighter, fire captain, […]
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 inEducation
Newsmakers 2025: Watsonville activist reflects on monthlong hunger strike against pesticides
Watsonville activist Omar Dieguez discusses the impact of his monthlong hunger strike against pesticide applications near schools in the Pajaro Valley and also shares more details on his work to empower youth in his community.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsmakers 2025: Food and toiletries distributions for undocumented ag workers become offseason lifeline
As the Pajaro Valley’s growing season comes to a close, many of its workers turn to a monthly food distribution event hosted by the Center for Farmworker Families to alleviate the financial burdens that come with no work for a few months.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘This is the Super Bowl’: Consultant hired by county says Trump’s offshore drilling plans will test local ordinances
Richard Charter has been here before: In the 1980s, he was hired to organize an effort to block oil drilling off the coast of California. Now, with the Trump administration wanting to open the coast for drilling, he’s been hired to fight again by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.
Posted inHousing & Development
Supervisors order review of 57-unit Capitola Road project
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will review the application for a 57-unit housing project led by local developer Workbench that used a state provision that allowed the project to override local jurisdiction.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville Fire Chief Rudy López announces retirement after 35 years of service
After nearly 35 years of service, the fire chief who led evacuations in Watsonville during the 2023 floods announced his retirement Tuesday morning. Rudy López’s last day will be Dec. 31.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Defensores de inmigración presionan para la adopción estatal del plan de seguridad de cuidado infantil
Se les está pidiendo por parte de defensores de inmigración y organizaciones sin fines de lucro del condado de Santa Cruz al fiscal general de California, Rob Bonta, que adopte en una nueva ley estatal un plan que ayuda a las familias a prepararse para emergencias inesperadas como la deportación.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Immigration advocates, nonprofits push for statewide adoption of Childcare Safety Plan as enforcement continues nationwide
Santa Cruz County immigration advocates and nonprofits are asking California Attorney General Rob Bonta to adopt into a new state law a plan that helps families prepare for unexpected emergencies such as deportation.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Law enforcement data shows 29 total ICE action notifications in county between January and November
Federal immigration officials visited the city of Santa Cruz at least once since late July, according to communication records provided by the police department. This increases the total number of courtesy notifications from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to local law enforcement since January to 29.
Posted inLatest News
Construction on Pajaro River levee anticipated to begin in early 2026; funding for Phase 2 still in limbo
Construction on the Pajaro River levee is anticipated to begin in early 2026, according to local officials. The $600 million project focuses on rebuilding the levee to help prevent future flooding in the Pajaro Valley.