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 adds Nowruz, Diwali festivals to Main Street closures
The events mark the sixth and seventh street closures for festivals — one more than agreed upon under a compromise with local businesses.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Belvedere sergeant is recognized for saving a jogger’s life — with assist from high schooler
Sgt. Jeremy Clark performed CPR on an out-of-town jogger, a man in his 50s who was not breathing and had no pulse.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
A lifetime of learning: Former Belvedere Nursery School student marks 40 years of leadership
Mrs. Parker will be recognized March 22 for her decades of leadership and for fostering connections among students, staff and parents.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Celebration of life planned for gallery owner Barry Smith on April 11
The public celebration of life will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 11 at the Tiburon Tavern.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
A peninsula pair reflects on a cross-generational friendship
Their friendship bridges a 23-year age gap, sparked by a chance encounter and conversation while getting coffee downtown about 10 years ago.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Marin supervisors undo sale of Tiburon apartment complex's common facilities
Circle Drive apartment owners have regained ownership of two shared pools, a recreation area and laundry facilities.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
A former sausageman’s health issues don’t dampen his positive attitude
William Schwarz of Tiburon grew up in Belvedere, played football and rugby and headed sales for family business Schwarz Sausage Co.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Strawberry artist depicts portraits of luck through lottery scratchers
Strawberry artist Ben Benet found inspiration for one of his recent projects in his experiences playing lottery scratchers.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon names three new faces to diversity, parks and design boards
The Tiburon Town Council appointed Lina Godfrey, Mike Ghaffary and Phoebe Holscher.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Rare beach-access lot hits the market for $3.995 mil
The rare waterfront lot on Paradise Drive has beach access and approved plans for a 6,500-square-foot home.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Town Hall exhibit features art from Marin City collective
Seven members of the Marin City Arts and Culture collective are displaying their paintings in a new exhibit at Tiburon Town Hall.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Angel Island reopens 16 boat slips, pushes dock renovation to 2026
Angel Island State Park has reopened 16 of its 42 boat slips at Ayala Cove after making temporary repairs to address safety concerns.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Termination of popular librarian sparks controversy amid review of workplace culture
A library consultant says workplace culture is improving and that supporters of a fired staffer have "weaponized" his initial findings.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·No barriers, just space: Tiburon eyes 1-foot gap for sidewalk dining
The Tiburon Town Council subcommittee working to formalize outdoor dining regulations is proposing a simplified safety requirement.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon OKs Main Street closure for Ranch anniversary celebration
The Ranch will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a May 16 block party on lower Main Street after snagging the second of three...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon doctor developed stents used in surgery
Tiburon resident Bill Heydorn, a cardiothoracic surgeon whose work included the development of valves and stents, has died.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Lawsuits drive Tiburon's legal budget to $752K for fiscal year
Tiburon has earmarked an additional $200,000 toward legal services to help cover the costs of four active lawsuits facing the town.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Belvedere's Clint Hill, Secret Service agent who jumped onto JFK’s car as president was shot, dies at 93
Belvedere resident Clint Hill, the Secret Service agent who sprang onto JFK's limo during the president’s 1963 assassination, has died.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Sam’s in Tiburon reopens docks following upgrades for accessibility
Sam’s Anchor Cafe has reopened both of its docks following three weeks of repairs to meet accessibility requirements.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Community mourns local artist, gallery owner who died suddenly at his shop
Paradise Cay resident Barry Smith, who owned and curated Smith Gallery Tiburon, died suddenly at the shop on Feb. 18.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
