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 pledges another $1 million to land deal
Tiburon has pledged up to $1 million in additional funds toward the effort to acquire and preserve the 110-acre Martha property, a...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·The Caprice offers free valet for all as trade for public spaces
After years of resident complaints and town attempts to work with The Caprice on parking problems created by the restaurant’s valet...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon founder of The Book Exchange will step down as its director after 37 years
After nearly four decades of leading The Book Exchange, which has given more than 1 million books a second life in schools, libraries and...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Volunteers needed as Landmarks sites reopen for the spring
Those hoping to take in the spring blooms at Tiburon’s Art & Garden Center will have to wait another month due to a shortage of volunteer...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Staring at the sun
From left, Tiburon residents Debbie Miskell, Elizabeth French and Scarlett Bresnahan take in the partial solar eclipse on April 8 outside...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon to look at McKegney Green use again as club sports sideline other activities
Tiburon’s parks commission is, once again, reevaluating which groups can use the McKegney Green athletic field and when, as officials say...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon again allows pickleball at Peninsula Club, with new restrictions
The town has reaffirmed its decision to allow pickleball on a converted tennis court at the Tiburon Peninsula Club, though officials...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon commission ponders light installation, dance film as upcoming public-art offerings
A light-based installation and a film screening focused on women in dance are two possible public-art projects being explored by the...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon wants more work, feedback on future of town parks
Tiburon’s master plan for its parks and recreation system will need to be retooled after the Town Council asked the consultant to switch...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Mallard Pointe project wins approval in Belvedere
After more than three years of public debate, Belvedere has approved the contentious 40-unit redevelopment of Mallard Pointe, a private...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon’s Persian New Year festival is March 30
Tiburon will ring in the Persian New Year March 30 with live music, dance and authentic cuisine at Zelinsky Park. The second annual...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Former chamber executive director returns for second stint in the role
A familiar face has returned to lead the Tiburon Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Former chamber Executive Director Melanie Haddad stepped...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon council balks at new dining rules for sidewalks
The Tiburon Town Council has narrowly rejected a plan to establish uniform, streamlined sidewalk-seating rules for downtown restaurants...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Strawberry dance instructor makes salsa a journey
Strawberry dancer Mark Ellis says he strives for his students to learn more than just the steps and motions. As founder and chief...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon works to simplify approvals for sidewalk dining
Tiburon may soon make it easier for sidewalk dining to be part of the downtown restaurant scene. Officials are moving quickly to...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon teen heading to Colorado ski competition as top-ranked freerider
During snow season, Sutton Coletta can often be found in the Sierra backcountry, pushing the limit on rugged natural terrain far from the...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Leading nicotine researcher, from Old Tiburon, reflects on five decades of work
Neal Benowitz’s latest research project as a clinical pharmacologist with the University of California at San Francisco looks at how...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Biden, Schiff get biggest cash hauls from local donors
Tiburon and Belvedere residents donated more than a quarter-million dollars directly to U.S. Senate and presidential candidates in the...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Residents are skeptical about driving through Blackie’s, seek improvements to small parks
Residents helping to plan the future of Tiburon’s 70-acre parks and recreation system collectively raised their eyebrows at a proposal...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Belvedere businessman Walter Strycker's work with DeLorean included boosting iconic car to short-lived success
Belvedere resident Walter Strycker, a prolific businessman whose accomplishments included raising more than $200 million to kickstart...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
