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
41st annual Tiburon Wine Festival returning to Point Tiburon Plaza on Oct. 5
Wine aficionados, rejoice: The Tiburon Wine Festival returns to Point Tiburon Plaza from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 5, featuring beverages from...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon Challenger bringing pro men’s tennis to Peninsula Club
Alexis Galarneau has twice competed in the Tiburon Challenger , reaching the semifinals each time. This year, the 25-year-old from the...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon approves $348K contracts to level former sanitation ponds
Tiburon will spend up to $348,000 to fill in and level the four old wastewater ponds on newly acquired waterfront property by McKegney...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Viewers at Cinelounge Debate Night Bingo say Harris trounced Trump
Vice President Kamala Harris’ performance had many attendees of Cinelounge’s Debate Night Bingo saying the Democrat easily dominated the...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Sam’s wins OK to open takeout counter next door
Sam’s Anchor Cafe has won Tiburon’s permission to open a fast-casual takeout counter next door, serving food and drinks from the...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon author's debut novel explores sociopolitical othering through lens of genetics
A refusé, explains Tiburon author Sheri T. Joseph, is someone who flees their home country and isn’t allowed to return but isn’t allowed...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon arts commission’s film screening to highlight challenges facing women in dance
Kathryn Roszak, the artistic director of Sausalito-based dance company Danse Lumière, says she wants her company’s work to shine light on...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Jeff Bellinger memorial service
A public memorial service for longtime Tiburon dentist Jeff Bellinger is set for noon Sept. 28 at the Tiburon Fire Protection District’s...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Students may return after ‘threat of violence’ shuts down Tam Union high schools
UPDATE: Tamalpais Union High School District students and staff can return to school for activities and sporting events after campuses...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Officials will ask state to evaluate eliminated Stewart school-bus stop
Tiburon will look into reinstating a Stewart Drive school-bus stop that was eliminated earlier this summer, a response to about 15...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Martha belongs to Marin: Land deal complete as 110-acre Tiburon Ridge parcel now open space preserve
After a half-century of preservation efforts, 110 acres of land on the southern Tiburon Ridge is now public to all as open space. Marin...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Caprice owner threatens closure over valet dispute
Caprice owner Jerry Dal Bozzo says he’ll have to shut down the restaurant and turn it into a private home if he can’t work out a...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon resident Sue Benvenuti was an award-winning reporter, humorist for Ark
Tiburon resident Sue Benvenuti, a former model and beauty queen who became an award-winning reporter and assistant editor for The Ark...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Local candidate statements
Tiburon Town Council Two seats, four candidates Chuck Hornbrook, challenger “I have been a Tiburon resident for over seven years, I am a proud husband and dad, and I love our community. Service to this community is a core value. I have been an active member of the Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission, Safe Routes to School, RUSD [Reed Union School District] Safety and Facility committees and a host of other organizations as a ‘can do’ leader and volunteer, focusing on quality of life,...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Pianist 'Dr. Ira' known for teaching generations, serenading library guests
Belvedere resident Ira Mendlowitz, a beloved pianist and piano teacher known to locals simply as “Dr. Ira,” died Aug. 23 at MarinHealth...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Sewer district will implement fixed fee to connect new fixtures to network
Tiburon Peninsula residents living in Sanitary District No. 5 of Marin’s service area will soon pay a uniform $914 hookup fee for new...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Helen Drake Muirhead was former Design Review Board member, artist who exhibited paintings across county
Tiburon artist Helen Drake Muirhead, whose paintings captured local fauna, native flora and Marin landscapes, died of ongoing health...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon council backs draft guide for parks system
Tiburon councilmembers have thrown their support behind the latest draft of a townwide parks master plan, which splits parks and open...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Towns back e-bike task force but want to watch state law proposals
Tiburon and Belvedere agree with a Marin civil grand jury that neither the county nor its cities have uniformly addressed safety issues...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Peace Corps veteran reflects on Afghanistan
Tiburon resident Toby Marion motivated himself to finish his memoir about his time serving in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan by telling...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
