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
New laws speed ballot counts, ban plastic bags
Hundreds of new state laws took effect Jan. 1, including protections against AI chat bots, a new minimum wage and capped insulin copays.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Mar West residents must raise $55K for utility-burying plans
A group of Mar West residents must raise $55,250 toward engineering and design work to bury their utility lines.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Belvedere's Jeanne Price spent nearly four decades reporting for Ark, championed historic landmarks
37-year Ark reporter Jeanne Price, who championed historic-preservation efforts in Belvedere, died Dec. 26. She was 93.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon seeks volunteers for several boards, including planning, parks, arts, disaster
Tiburon residents have until 5 p.m. Feb. 13 to apply for 15 volunteer positions on nine town and county boards and commissions.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon’s new artist laureate launches exhibit during SF Art Week
Christa Grenawalt's exhibit includes some special interactive experiences.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Flooding, outages test Tiburon Peninsula's preparedness
A four-day deluge of king tides and storms Jan. 1-4 brought the worst coastal flooding to Marin County in nearly three decades.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon names new community development head
Shari Meads stepped into the role of community development director at Town Hall Dec. 8, taking over for Dina Tasini.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Point Tiburon Plaza coffee cart gets initial approval from town
The owners must provide more details on wastewater disposal, visual screening and operations before receiving formal approval.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon parks board urges higher visibility for street-sign art
Parks board: Think bigger and place them in more prominent locations around town.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·A couple’s Tiburon day trip spurred by online posts
The couple had lunch Dec. 16 at Salt & Pepper on Main Street and planned to catch Cinelounge’s Tuesday weekly $5 “mystery movie."
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon to explore Bramble Beach for kayak launch
While Bramble Beach is being evaluated for the first time, the launch has been a longtime desire of residents and officials.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society and neighbors reach deal over Art & Garden events
The agreement limits Landmarks to 16 total events annually between March and November — 14 of them with amplified noise.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Steve McNamara was part-owner of The Ark, longtime owner of Pacific Sun
Steve McNamara died of natural causes Nov. 24 at his home in Mill Valley. He was 91.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Welner returns as Tiburon’s mayor with traffic focus
Tiburon Councilmember Jon Welner and colleague Isaac Nikfar were elected mayor and vice mayor, respectively, on Dec. 3.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Former Reed district teacher Jim Allen was known for his unwavering support of students
Jim Allen died Nov. 21 of natural causes at his home in Kentfield. He was 91.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon OKs $154,000 for infrastructure upgrades
Tiburon will spend $154,000 to renovate three workforce-housing condos and make improvements at the police station.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·A former CEO reflects on a career of ‘fixing broken corporations’
The part-time Tiburon resident retired roughly two decades ago after building a reputation as a corporate “cleaner.”
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Legendary ice skater ‘Mr. Debonair’ reflects on career, life at 90
Hall-of-fame ice skater ‘Mr. Debonair’ Richard Dwyer, a part-time Tiburon resident, turned 90 on Nov. 18.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Friendship Kitchen in Tiburon rallies community against hunger
The packaged meals were delivered to residents at The Hilarita apartment complex on Ned’s Way and Kruger Pines in Strawberry.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon bike lanes pushed to 2029 as Caltrans proceeds along rest of corridor
The Phase 1 start date hinges on Tiburon first completing a separate project to install underground conduit for fiber-optic cables along the boulevard.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
