Francisco Martinez
What I cover
Francisco covers Tiburon: the Town Council and town government, development and housing, and the people and events of the town.
Background
Francisco joined The Ark in July 2023. He previously worked for NPR member station KCBX-FM in San Luis Obispo, where he reported "Beyond the Furrows," an award-winning 12-part series about farmworkers in Santa Barbara County. Francisco was also a reporter, news anchor and radio DJ for student-run Mustang News and KCPR-FM at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo; he graduated in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Francisco lives in Point Richmond with his wife and their four cats. A former record store employee, he spends his free time listening to music old and new, going on walks and solving puzzles of all kinds. Francisco remains an eternally suffering Tottenham Hotspur fan.
Our standards
Ark journalists avoid conflicts of interest, refuse gifts, favors, free travel and special treatment, and correct information throughout the life of a story. Read The Ark’s ethics policy and corrections policy.
Latest from Francisco
Tiburon Town Council divided in bike-lane letter to Caltrans
Tiburon officials want to see safety revisions in the first phase, and Caltrans is mulling its options.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Teen makes history with Dipsea victory
Tiburon’s Audrey MacLean, 19, is first female runner between 10 and 33 to win the nation’s oldest trail race.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Local agency overseeing school-bus program approves $976,000 budget
The joint-powers agency that oversees school-bus service is projecting a $178,000 surplus in its fiscal 2025-2026 budget.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Istanbul natives bring Troya Mediterranean restaurant to Cove
In May, the Kinalilars opened Troya restaurant in The Cove shopping center, serving Turkish and Mediterranean fare.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
A Tiburon man’s youth included driving a queen and hijinks on the river
Burkett, who turned 93 on June 15, served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, achieving the rank of commander.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Town adds $500,000 to parks fund in $26 mil draft budget
The draft includes an $18.25 million operating budget for day-to-day expenses and a $6.48 million capital-improvement program for infrastructure upgrades.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Longtime nursery schools leader Marilyn Knight was civic volunteer, helped launch The Ark
Marilyn Knight died of breast cancer May 24 at her Tiburon home. She was 91.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Caltrans moving forward with bike lanes on Tiburon Boulevard
Caltrans announced a two-phase approach that would include bike lanes next year and enhancements in 2027-2028.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon plans $6.43 mil in projects
About $1.06 million is earmarked for parks improvements as the town begins implementing its long-term vision for parks, recreation and open spaces.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon up for nearly $600K sea-rise grant as climate work expands
Tiburon’s top sustainability official says she believes the town is still on track to meet its ambitious goal of reducing emissions to...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Former Citizen of the Year Emeritus Vera Gertler was crucial member of GreenTeam
Longtime Belvedere resident Vera Gertler died May 14 in San Francisco following an illness.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
A new couple bonds over their shared love of food
The couple, who have been dating since August, say they enjoy date night at local restaurants such as Servino Trattoria, Malibu Farm and The Bungalow Kitchen, but they also love cooking together.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Town to hold first Native American festival in June
Native American food dishes, interactive exhibits and a drum troupe powwow will be part of Tiburon’s newest cultural celebration coming to Zelinsky Park.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Caltrans to address bike-lane plan at special forum
Assemblymember Damon Connolly, D-San Rafael, urged Caltrans to pause advancement of the controversial project.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Noise rules at Art & Garden Center tightened following neighbor appeal
The Tiburon Town Council partially granted an appeal from the so-called Art & Garden Neighborhood Collective.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon OKs $1.8M to repave Paradise Drive stretch near downtown
Repaving will start at the intersection with Mar West Street and end at town limits near Agreste Way.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon explores beach volleyball, basketball at ex-sanitation ponds site
The Town Council voted to hire a landscape designer to explore installing beach volleyball and basketball courts and a shaded outdoor lounge.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Belvedere settles profiling suit with Yema shop owners for $10k
The city denies wrongdoing in a deal that ends all legal actions related to 2020 incident.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Playground experts emphasize accessibility, nature-based play at Tiburon parks forum
The town wants to upgrade the playground at Cypress Hollow Park, potentially put one at Zelinsky Park and make other improvements to the lineal system.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·A retiree finds joy in the simple pleasures of living in Belvedere
The former contract-furniture executive moved from San Anselmo seeking a one-story home with a two-car garage on the water.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
