Oscar Garza came aboard as senior editor/content — basically the same as managing editor — last August. He was caught in today's budget cutting and leaves at the end of the day. Garza was founding editor of the late Tu Ciudad magazine, which closed last June. Before that Garza had a long editing career at the Los Angeles Times. His email to the staff:

It's been brief, but rewarding. Sorry I won't be here to help you keep up the fight. Here are the things that bother me most about leaving:

1) Texas BBQ King used to be located near my home in Silver Lake. I was crushed when they closed, so imagine my delight when I found they had opened a outpost 2 minutes from the Daily News. Dammit.

2) I think I finally figured out how to use Unisys.

But seriously, I know things are tough here, but keep serving the readers who depend on you. I've developed a fondness for this place. Thanks to all of you for your efforts, and especially to Carolina, who's been dealt the worst hand imaginable.

The DN will soon stop delivering over the hill, so I'll have to keep up with your work online. (Last memo to city desk: please clean up all typos before I read blog postings.)
I can be reached at: xxxxx.

Take care.
Oscar

Carolina is editor Carolina Garcia, who took over for the deposed Ron Kaye last year and has been forced to do nothing but cut, improvise and make do since. Also among today's cuts, according to multiple newsroom sources, are City Hall reporter Brandon Lowrey and Santa Clarita reporter Jerry Berrios. Longtime photog Tina Burch took a buyout, and sources say that editors Jason Kandel, Ryan Garfat and Brian Harr were reassigned to Metro at lesser pay. [Not as reporters, apparently.] Garfat had been senior editor/online and Harr senior editor/presentation.

* Updated with new info