La ciudad de Watsonville es la primera en el condado de Santa Cruz en prohibir el uso de instalaciones municipales para la aplicación de leyes civiles de inmigración. Watsonville sigue los pasos de ciudades como San José y Santa Clara, que también han adoptado políticas similares.
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 inHousing & Development
Supervisors reject neighbors’ appeal of 57-unit Capitola Road project
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has rejected an appeal filed by Live Oak residents to stop a 57-unit housing project that used the state builder’s remedy mechanism, which allows the project to override local approval.
Posted inEducation
Watsonville teacher placed on leave after making pro-ICE comment on social media
Lookout spoke with Sarai Jimenez, the teacher who in January posted a pro-ICE comment on social media, prompting a flurry of angry posts on Watsonville internet groups. Pajaro Valley Unified administrators declined to comment, but parents at the school where she taught until last month say they’re shocked and unsettled.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Watsonville hires ‘matchmaker’ to spur economic development
Watsonville is working with an Alabama-based retail consultant to bring national retailers and restaurants to spur economic development in the city and provide local shopping options for residents.
Posted inEducation
Maestra de Watsonville puesta en licencia tras hacer comentario pro-ICE en redes sociales
Lookout habló con Sarai Jimenez, la maestra que en enero publicó un comentario pro-ICE en redes sociales, lo que provocó una oleada de publicaciones airadas en grupos de internet de Watsonville. Los administradores del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Pajaro Valley declinaron hacer comentarios, pero padres en la escuela donde enseñó hasta el mes pasado dicen que están conmocionados e inquietos.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Watsonville airport braces for crowds flying in for Super Bowl weekend
Watsonville Municipal Airport is welcoming tourists from all over the country as they arrive in the region to watch Super Bowl LX this weekend. Watsonville is one of 16 regional airports selected by the FAA to help support the increase in air travel for the big game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Watsonville Community Hospital reports nearly $23 million loss in 2025
Watsonville Community Hospital reported losses of nearly $23 million in 2025 following a challenging year of fewer patient visits and changes to federal and state funding. Hospital leadership expects to have an update by March on its search for a private partner to help shore up its finances.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Panetta, local officials and nonprofit leaders working together to protect county residents from immigration enforcement impacts
Local government officials, nonprofit leaders and U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta say they are working together to protect Santa Cruz County’s most vulnerable residents from the impacts of immigration enforcement amid federal agents’ intensifying enforcement in Minnesota.
Posted inLatest News
Watsonville Community Hospital nurses hold vigil to honor life of nurse killed by federal agents in Minneapolis
Nurses at Watsonville Community Hospital gathered Wednesday evening to remember the life of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse who was killed by federal immigration agents Saturday in Minneapolis.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County supervisors prepare for possible immigration enforcement actions with subcommittee
Santa Cruz County elected officials are creating a subcommittee, led by Supervisors Monica Martinez and Felipe Hernandez, to prepare for the possible impacts of immigration enforcement on county residents.