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
Local teen named Marin County Athletic League’s top baseball player
Redwood High School sophomore Theo Trono has been named the baseball player of the year by the Marin County Athletic League, while five...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Three local students help power Branson to pickleball championship
Tiburon brothers Nico and Alex Moon and Belvedere’s Anna Rende helped lead The Branson School to gold in the team competition at the...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Angel Island gets $1.5 mil federal grant for Ayala Cove dock upgrade
Angel Island State Park has received a $1.5-million federal grant toward upgrading the dilapidated boat dock at Ayala Cove. The funding,...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Marin supervisors OK $23 mil bond sale to buy Tiburon open space
Marin has officially authorized $23 million in funding to help buy and preserve 110 acres of private property on the southern Tiburon...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Del Mar student wins grand championship for public speaking at Marin tournament
A Del Mar Middle School student was crowned one of Marin’s top public speakers in his grade at a recent speech contest, where he picked...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Knit House on Main announces it will close
The Knit House on Main will be closing its doors, with its owner saying on social media the store has lost its lease. Tiburon resident...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon resident helps U.S. team win international tennis tournament
Tiburon resident Polo Cowan helped lead the U.S. to gold at the Von Cramm Cup tennis tournament held April 28-May 3 in Mexico City....
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon's inaugural Asian American, Pacific Islander fest is May 18
Tiburon’s inaugural celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures will feature music, martial-arts performances, lion and...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Pianist aims to create soundtrack for the outdoors
With his “In a Landscape” outdoor concert series, classic pianist Hunter Noack says he tries to create a soundtrack to nature. Attendees...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Owner of business at center of alleged profiling incidentwins a seat on Tiburon diversity task force
Yema clothing boutique co-owner Hawi Awash has been appointed to serve on Tiburon’s Diversity Inclusion Task Force, a board created in...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Free school bus eligibility expands to account for Marin cost of living
The Yellow Bus Challenge will offer free passes to more local families next school year by nearly doubling income eligibility. With the...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Luna Blu and Salt & Pepper win permanent approval for expanded outdoor seating
Two Main Street restaurants can keep using outdoor dining areas that Tiburon temporarily OK’d under now-lapsed pandemic-related...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon wins $24 mil grant to electrify Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry Co. fleet
Tiburon has been awarded a $24 million state grant toward converting the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry Co.’s three-boat fleet into...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Businesses find ways to cope with rising costs, energy bills
For Maria Perdomo of Lola’s Taqueria, recent Pacific Gas and Electric Co. rate hikes have hit particularly hard. With the energy bill for...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon finishes waterfront land deal, adding to parks system
Tiburon has officially acquired a stretch of waterfront property adjacent to McKegney Green, a move more than two years in the making...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Dead shark at Cove center not part of trend, but officials say timing is right
While state officials and conservationists say a dead leopard shark found in the creek behind The Cove shopping center is not part of any...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Trust gets last grant for Tiburon ridge open space
The land trust raising money to save 110 acres of southern Tiburon ridge property as open space appears to have locked in its final piece...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Rent-a-Parent founder to retire in May; partner to close Tiburon office
After 40 years of running Rent-a-Parent Services, founder Diana Chiarabano is retiring at the end of May and handing the Tiburon-based...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Candy Store owner says rent hike forcing closure
The Candy Store on Main Street, a staple of downtown Tiburon for nearly three decades, is shutting down by the end of the month, sparking...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon climate head: 2024 goals on track, longer term can seem ‘daunting’
Tiburon is on track to meet end-of-year sustainability goals on electric-vehicle charging and shifts to 100% renewable energy, reusable...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
