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 graduated from the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. There, he was a reporter, news anchor and radio DJ for student-run Mustang Media Group, which includes Mustang News and KCPR-FM. Francisco also worked for 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 lives in Point Richmond. A former record store employee, he spends his free time listening to music old and new and playing with his four cats. 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
Marin civil grand jury urges mergers of Tiburon Peninsula special districts
The report points to fee gaps between Tiburon Peninsula sewer districts as one sign that consolidation could lower costs for ratepayers.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
World Cup party reunites librarian, former teacher after 35 years
Ivan Silva hadn't seen his English teacher in 35 years, until he ran into her at a Cape Verde watch party in Oakland during the team's first World Cup.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon council appoints one of its own to library board
Alice Fredericks was a member of the library's nonprofit fundraising arm from 1998 to 2009. She now returns to library affairs on the agency board.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
A Tiburon landscaper cultivates beauty with native plants
Barbara Yonkow has spent 30 years designing and building gardens for clients across Marin, work she says lets her "accentuate aspects of the land."
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Bungalow Kitchen plans lunch, lower prices under new operator
New operator Justin Massei says prices will come down and he wants the restaurant to be a spot families can visit weekly, not just for special occasions.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Phone bans, louder-ad limits part of new laws July 1
A wave of new California laws take effect July 1, including smartphone limits in schools, allergen disclosures at chain restaurants and a ban on Glock-style pistol sales.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon approves nearly $2M for summer roadwork
Work begins after the July 4 holiday weekend at Karen Way near Bel Aire Elementary, with the project covering 6.28 miles of road.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Town Council grants final extension for stalled home project
The resident must pay an $87,935 fee, five times the original permit cost, though she can recoup part of it by finishing before the deadline.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon native brings original plays to San Francisco
Mitchell Pope trained at Redwood High School's drama program, then New York's William Esper Studio, before launching his own theater company in 2023.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
First major park upgrade moves ahead in Tiburon
Bel Aire Play Area is the first of four Tiburon parks headed for renovation. Cypress Hollow, Belveron Mini Park and the former sanitation ponds near McKegney Green are still in design.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon adopts budget as calls for financial transparency grow
The budget sets aside $2 million for parks and the Old Rail Trail, pushing a dedicated parks fund to an expected $2.12 million by the end of next fiscal year.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon moves to make sidewalk dining permanent
The council waived the $765 application fee for the six restaurants that already have temporary outdoor dining permits. They will still pay a $180 annual renewal fee.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Point Tiburon housing proposal is deemed incomplete for third time
The town did concede two points to Black Oak Ventures: the project's 38-foot height is justified, and Tiburon cannot enforce parking requirements from a 1983 development plan.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon's Petite Left Bank closes as restaurant group shuts down
Petite Left Bank in downtown Tiburon has closed, ending the Left Bank restaurant group's presence across the Bay Area.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Decision due this week on whether Point Tiburon plan can advance
A Berkeley developer's plan for nine townhomes in the Point Tiburon Plaza parking lot faces a June 18 completeness deadline that could move the project toward approval.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Nautical clothing brand opens first West Coast outpost on Main Street
Owner Wayne George said Tiburon's maritime history made it a natural fit for the brand's expansion. He bought the Marblehead store in 2000 from the founding family.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
A new resident’s life in town centers on tennis
Ghai, 32, grew up in Chandigarh, India, where his father played tennis for 30 years. He picked up the sport and has coached in the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon boosts parks funding in draft $28.38 million budget
Parents for Parks and Rec pushed the council for more funding, saying the town's five-year plan includes little money for meaningful new park improvements.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Neighbors lose bid to roll back pickleball hours at Tiburon Peninsula Club
Public hearings over pickleball at the private club have stretched nearly three years, rooted in a 2019 dispute over noise and unpermitted play.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Taco trouble: A two-week craze sparked debate over health rules, entrepreneurship and what residents want
A Mexican food stand that drew long lines and rave reviews on Tiburon Boulevard was shut down after two weeks over health-code violations including no permit and no refrigeration.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
