Tony Nuñez, a longtime community leader and former journalist, is running for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors 4th District seat. Nuñez is the current board chair of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District, which operates Watsonville Community Hospital, and works for nonprofit Community Bridges.
Tony Nuñez
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 inHealth & Wellness
Watsonville Community Hospital faces shortage of ICU nurses as it continues to struggle financially
Administrators at Watsonville Community Hospital say they’ll need to make difficult decisions to keep it operating, which doesn’t sit well with nurses. Meanwhile, there’s a staffing shortage in the intensive care unit, and nurses are rallying to keep it and other essential departments open.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Watsonville hospital courts health care partners as federal cuts threaten multimillion-dollar loss
After purchasing its land and facilities last year through a $116 million voter-approved bond, Watsonville Community Hospital now faces up to $8.4 million in annual losses from federal Medicaid cuts. The public hospital is speeding up a search for a health care partner to manage operations and avoid a financial crisis.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
At Watsonville Community Hospital, federal Medicaid cuts cast shadow over progress
Watsonville Community Hospital leaders reported improved finances and plans for upgrades and an expansion of the ER paid for by $116 million Measure N funds, while warning of threats from proposed federal Medicaid cuts during their first State of Hospital address.
Posted inEducation
Dispute over seniors center helps sink Live Oak School District workforce housing bond
Live Oak School District’s $45 million bond measure appears headed for failure, in part due to a dispute with local seniors groups over plans to use the funds to demolish a district-owned seniors center to build housing for teachers and staff.
Posted inLatest News
Watsonville Community Hospital building, land in local hands after sale for $40 million
Friday’s announcement that the Pajaro Valley Health Care District had purchased the 27-acre property and the building that’s home to Watsonville Community Hospital clears the way for funds from March’s Measure N to be used to improve the hospital building.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Pajaro Valley Health Care District votes to buy Watsonville hospital building, opening way for renovations
The Pajaro Valley Health Care District is moving forward with plans to purchase the Watsonville Community Hospital buildings and the land they sit on. The district has owned the hospital’s assets for the past two years, but has yet to purchase the building and land.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Watsonville Community Hospital governing board to vote on issuing $60 million in bonds
Watsonville Community Hospital’s governing board will vote next week on whether to authorize issuing up to $60 million in bonds. After the March passage of the $116 million Measure N, first priority could be purchasing the hospital building and the land it sits on.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Measure N: Watsonville Community Hospital’s $116 million bond passes
Measure N, Watsonville Community Hospital’s $116 million bond, passed on Tuesday, after the release of results from Santa Cruz County. A combined total of 68.2% voters in both Santa Cruz and Monterey counties supported the measure.