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
Ex-resident Robert Langridge was a pioneer in molecular computergraphics
Robert Langridge, a 20-year Belvedere resident who pioneered the field of molecular computer graphics, died Nov. 11 at his home in...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Mallard Pointe developers introducing 70-unit density-bonus project
Under a new application that was to be filed this week by developers, the Mallard Pointe complex in Belvedere would have 70 units — up...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Some 5,000 residents are hit by power outage
A power outage affecting nearly 5,000 residents hit the Tiburon Peninsula over the weekend. A tree reportedly fell onto a power line on...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Belvedere commission forwards 213-unit housing plan to council
Belvedere’s Planning Commission has signed off on the city’s eight-year housing plan, rezoning and environmental reviews, forwarding its...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Belvedere’s longest-tenured employee dies, is honored by the city
Belvedere Public Works Superintendent Gerhard Laufer, the city’s longest-serving employee, died of cancer Nov. 24 at his home in Mill...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Paradise Cay puts in private license-plate cams
Editor’s note — This article won first place in t he California News Publishers Association’s 2023 California Journalism Awards for...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Fredericks takes her fifth turn as Tiburon mayor
Town Councilmember Alice Fredericks has stepped into the role of Tiburon’s mayor for an unprecedented fifth time, while colleague Holli...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Town officials eye traffic study for Tiburon Boulevard
Town officials are planning to solicit a traffic study of Tiburon Boulevard that could include examining how a planned yearlong Caltrans...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon approves $50k fund for public-art projects
Tiburon is setting aside $50,000 toward future public-arts endeavors in town. The Town Council voted unanimously at its Dec. 6 meeting to...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Cinelounge crowdfunding campaign falls short of goal but raises $58k
A crowdfunding campaign launched by Tiburon’s downtown movie theater has raised $58,280, just under half of the original $124,000 goal...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon local runs her way to All-American honors at Chapman
Annika Carlson, who grew up in Tiburon, became the first All-American cross-country runner in Chapman University history in November....
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Final report on Belvedere's seismic-upgrade project addresses wildlife, sound, lagoon concerns
The Belvedere City Council next week is expected to certify the final environmental impact report for its stalled $20 million...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Belvedere commission seeks tweaks to affordability mandates in housing plan
Belvedere planning commissioners, responding to feedback from residents, say the city’s housing programs should reduce proposed...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Strawberry to get license-plate cameras along frontage road
Strawberry is set to get four automatic license-plate-reading cameras, a move that will close the last existing camera coverage gap for...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon nears adoption of controversial property rezoning
Tiburon is one step closer to rezoning a controversial Paradise Drive property that’s at the center of neighbors’ lawsuit against the...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Ex-staffer’s suit accuses Tiburon of unlawful firing, conspiracy
Former Tiburon Building Official Clay Salzman is suing the town for wrongful termination, alleging he was fired in December 2021 for...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon father and son pickleballers medal at Texas tournament
Tiburon resident Michael Moon took home gold and silver medals at the USA Pickleball National Championships, while his son Nico Moon...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Belvedere will put measure on March ballot to continue funding city’s fire services
Belvedere residents will vote March 5 on whether the city can continue to spend collected property taxes that fund roughly half its...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon Peninsula officials urge residents to prepare as winter approaches
After rains hit the Tiburon Peninsula last week, officials are reminding residents that now is the time to prepare their homes to protect...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Belvedere commission: Mallard Pointe must face environmental review
Belvedere’s planning commissioners say a controversial proposal to redevelop Mallard Pointe needs environmental review, but the owners...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
