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
Tiburon Peninsula Traffic Alliance budget includes $52K to preserve two crossing-guard locations
The Tiburon Peninsula Traffic Alliance is projecting a $147,000 surplus in its 2026-27 budget while keeping student bus-pass prices unchanged at $360.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·A bass and a breakthrough propel Tiburon teen onto symphony stage
Rudie Sheehy will perform Bottesini’s Elegia No. 1 at Marin Music Chest’s May 2 scholarship concert, then play again May 17 before a same-night SF Symphony Youth Orchestra concert.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon council backs 15-sign ‘Word on the Street’ installation
Signs include "Cast Off!" at the ferry terminal, "Do Your Best" near schools and affirmations like "You Are Enough" and "Celebrate Mistakes" throughout town parks.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Two residents with passion for improving open spaces earn Tiburon parks board seats
Tiburon has tapped two new parks commissioners, with a focus on long-discussed upgrades from its master plan, including water access and expanded amenities.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
A mom savors the pace of life over a game of catch
Tiburon resident Nikki Perlman says the triangle of school, home and library shapes daily life with her kids, offering simple routines and time outdoors.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Angel Island plays key role in study showing one in five gray whales entering SF Bay die
A new study finds at least 1 in 5 gray whales entering San Francisco Bay since 2018 has died, with Angel Island providing a rare site to examine carcasses.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Angel Island Ferry, town of Tiburon named in $1.36M suit over unpaid work
ZeroMar is suing the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry Co., Tiburon and state regulators, alleging $1.36 million in unpaid work on a ferry electrification project.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Little League team honors 1950s semipro Tiburon Pelicans with new name, uniforms
Baseball in Tiburon used to mean parades, dances, the whole town showing up. The Pelicans name is back — and with it, a reminder of what local sports once meant.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon artist laureate to mark Earth Day with reflective walk at Blackie’s Pasture
Tiburon’s artist laureate will lead an interactive art walk along the Richardson Bay shoreline on April 22 to commemorate Earth Day.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Bird sculptures could land at South of the Knoll or Tiburon ferry lawn; cost tops $68K
Metal sculptures of two birds in flight could be Tiburon’s next public-art project, though officials say they would need to secure funding before recommending the installation.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
A couple encourages each other to pursue their goals
Natalie Newbury and Kevin Garrett aren’t letting the wind and light rain stop them from getting their steps in on the Old Rail Trail on March 31.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon extends club's pickleball hours amid noise debate
Pickleballers will be able to hit the courts at the Tiburon Peninsula Club seven days a week after town officials OK’d expanded hours of play.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon shows modest gains as mid-cycle housing review looms
Tiburon has permitted 54 of the 639 housing units the state requires it to make room for by 2031 — about 8.5% as the planning cycle approaches its midpoint.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Corinthian Yacht Club to host regatta for Parkinson’s research
The inaugural Sailing4Parkinson’s regatta is set for April 11-12 at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon and marks World Parkinson’s Day.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Juneteenth, Jewish festivals to return to Tiburon this summer
Tiburon’s annual Juneteenth and the local Chabad’s Jewish Festival will both return this summer, though the town’s annual spring celebration of Persian culture has been postponed to the fall.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Sediment work marks start of beach restoration at Blackie’s Pasture
The project will rebuild about 1.4 acres of mixed sand-gravel beach and salt marsh at Greenwood and Brunini beaches as "living shorelines."
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon pushes on with park designs as $6M price tag looms
New amenities in several Tiburon parks, including on the site of former sanitation ponds, are one step closer to becoming a reality after officials approved pursuing final designs for four projects.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon to rethink traffic-calming ideas for Greenwood Beach Road
Warning signs, vegetation trimming and a mountable mini-roundabout could improve safety for cars, bicycles and pedestrians along a well-trafficked stretch of Greenwood Beach Road leading to Blackie’s Pasture.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon parks board backs plans for public-art project featuring faux street signs
A public-art proposal to place 15 faux street signs bearing positive messages from Blackie’s Pasture to downtown is likely headed to the Town Council for final consideration.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon approves $771K battery system to slash police station energy costs
Tiburon is moving forward with plans to install a battery energy-storage system at its police station that is expected to save the town at least $16,150 annually in energy costs.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
