Kevin Hessel
Editor. Reporter. Designer.
Co-owner of The Ark weekly newspaper in Tiburon, Calif.
About Me
I'm the executive editor and co-owner of The Ark, the weekly newspaper serving the San Francisco Bay Area communities of Tiburon, Belvedere and Strawberry since 1973. I joined the paper in June 2011 and took co-ownership in June 2023. I came from the Marin Independent Journal, where I began as an intern in 1998 and left as assistant copy desk editor, design chief and online editor. I began as a teen columnist for the Dana Point Times, wrote for my high school newspaper, was the editor of the Saddleback College Lariat newspaper and Inkslinger magazine, studied journalism at San Francisco State University, trained in newsroom leadership at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., was a Knight Digital Media Center fellow at the University of California at Berkeley, and I guest lecture in newspaper design each semester at S.F. State.
I live in San Francisco with my wife and dog.
Celestial hat trick
The super blue blood moon sets behind the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands early Jan. 31, 2018, in this view from San Francisco’s Crissy Field East Beach. It was a lunar trifecta: a blue moon for being the second full moon in January, a supermoon because it orbited about 50,000 miles closer to the Earth than usual and a blood moon due to a lunar eclipse, when the Earth passes between the moon and sun to cast a shadow and give the moon a red tinge.
🥇 1st place, Artistic Photo
2018 California News Publishers Association
Awards
🏆 1st - GENERAL EXCELLENCE
2026 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
The Ark
🥈 2nd - Best Reporting on Local Government
2026 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote "Belvedere upholds $300k fine after fiery hearing on construction delays"
🥈 2nd - Informational Graphic
2026 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Tiburon Tommie's Twists
🥈 2nd - Best Front Page Design
2026 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Ark Front Pages
🥉 3rd - Breaking News
2026 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
"Russia quake triggered 19-hour tsunami advisory; local surge fizzled"
🥉 3rd - Informational Graphic
2026 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Tiburon Boulevard bike lanes
🏅 HM - Informational Graphic
2026 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Crime in Tiburon and Belvedere
🏆 2nd - GENERAL EXCELLENCE
2026 - California News Publishers Association 2025 California Journalism Awards
The Ark
🥈 2nd - Print Inside Page Layout & Design
2026 - California News Publishers Association 2025 California Journalism Awards
Home, spring
🥈 2nd - Informational Graphic
2026 - California News Publishers Association 2025 California Journalism Awards
Crime in Tiburon and Belvedere
🥈 2nd - Best Newsletter
2026 - California News Publishers Association 2025 California Journalism Awards
The Ark
🥉 3rd - Breaking News
2026 - California News Publishers Association 2025 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Man arrested in Denver in connection with 2023 Tiburon armed robbery"
🥉 3rd - Print Front Page Layout & Design
2026 - California News Publishers Association 2025 California Journalism Awards
Ark Front Pages
🥉 3rd - Print Inside Page Layout & Design
2026 - California News Publishers Association 2025 California Journalism Awards
Home, fall
🥉 3rd - Informational Graphic
2026 - California News Publishers Association 2025 California Journalism Awards
Tiburon Tommie's Twists
🏅 4th - Informational Graphic
2026 - California News Publishers Association 2025 California Journalism Awards
Caltrans bike lanes
🏅 5th - Print Special Section Cover
2026 - California News Publishers Association 2025 California Journalism Awards
Ark Special Sections
🏆 2nd - GENERAL EXCELLENCE (Nondaily <3k)
2025 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
The Ark
🥉 3rd - Best Newspaper Website (All papers)
2025 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
thearknewspaper.com
🥈 2nd - Best Front Page Design (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2025 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Sept 11 2024 edition
🥉 3rd - Best Special Section (All papers <3k)
2025 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
The Year in Review
🥇 1st - Best Breaking News Story (Nondaily <3k)
2025 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote "Tsunami warning puts disaster response to the test"
🥉 3rd - Communication in Crisis (All papers <6k)
2025 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote "Tsunami warning puts disaster response to the test"
🥉 3rd - Michael Kramer Best Public Notice Journalism Award (All papers)
2025 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote "Belvedere will rework second-unit incentive to comply with state laws"
🥈 2nd - Breaking News (Weeklies <4.3k)
2025 - California News Publishers Association 2024 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Missing Tiburon girl found safe in Sacramento" with Naomi Friedland
🏅 5th - Print Inside Page Layout & Design (Weeklies <4.3k)
2025 - California News Publishers Association 2024 California Journalism Awards
Belvedere Island home styled to create calm retreat
🥈 2nd - Print Inside Page Layout & Design (Weeklies <4.3k)
2025 - California News Publishers Association 2024 California Journalism Awards
Designers turn Paradise Cay home into a waterfront oasis
🥉 3rd - Print Inside Page Layout & Design (Weeklies <4.3k)
2025 - California News Publishers Association 2024 California Journalism Awards
Fall's best cookbooks
🥇 1st - Best Writing (Weeklies <4.3k)
2025 - California News Publishers Association 2024 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Tiburon HOA fights to undo accidental tax auction" with Francisco Martinez
🥉 3rd - Print Front Page Layout & Design (Weeklies <4.3k)
2025 - California News Publishers Association 2024 California Journalism Awards
The Ark front pages
🥉 3rd - Informational Graphic (Weeklies <4.3k)
2025 - California News Publishers Association 2024 California Journalism Awards
Tiburon police detentions 2024
🥉 3rd - Print Special Section Cover (Weeklies <4.3k)
2025 - California News Publishers Association 2024 California Journalism Awards
The Ark special-section covers
🥇 1st - Breaking News (Weeklies <4.3k)
2025 - California News Publishers Association 2024 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Tsunami warning puts disaster response to the test" with Naomi Friedland
🥈 2nd - Informational Graphic (Weeklies <4.3k)
2025 - California News Publishers Association 2024 California Journalism Awards
Tiburon HOA fights to undo accidental tax auction
🥇 1st - Best Localized National Story (Nondaily <6k)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
"Tiburon sees lowest levels of crime in four decades"
🥉 3rd - Best Family Life Living Section Pages (All papers)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Editor
🥉 3rd - Best Localized National Story (Nondaily <6k)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
"Tiburon council is targeted by antisemitic 'Zoom-bombing'"
🥉 3rd - Best Informational Graphic (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Cougar tracked deep into Tiburon
🥉 3rd - Best Use of a Double-Truck (Nondaily <4k)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Spring cookbooks
🥈 2nd - Best Reporting on Local Government (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
"Cities, residents balk at new California housing laws"
🥇 1st - Best Front Page Design (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Sept 20 2023 edition
🥇 1st - Best Informational Graphic (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Belvedere Challenge fun run tackles city's walking lanes
🥈 2nd - Best Investigative or In-Depth Story or Series (Nondaily <3k)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
"New captain to become Tiburon's first female police chief"
🥈 2nd - Best Front Page Design (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Dec 27 2023 edition
🥉 3rd - Best Front Page Design (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Feb 22 2023 edition
🥉 3rd - Best Public Notice Section (All papers)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Designer
🥈 2nd - Best Informational Graphic (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Tiburon sees lowest levels of crime in four decades
🥉 3rd - Housing and Land-Use Reporting
2024 - California News Publishers Association 2023 California Journalism Awards
Series: Tiburon faces opposition to housing plans
🥇 1st - Technology Reporting
2024 - California News Publishers Association 2023 California Journalism Awards
"Paradise Cay puts in private license-plate cams"
🥈 2nd - Print Inside Page Layout & Design
2024 - California News Publishers Association 2023 California Journalism Awards
From barren hill to stunning sanctuary in Strawberry
🏅 4th - Print Inside Page Layout & Design
2024 - California News Publishers Association 2023 California Journalism Awards
Community leaders share their favorite recipes
🥇 1st - Print Special Section Cover
2024 - California News Publishers Association 2023 California Journalism Awards
Designer
🥉 3rd - Print Inside Page Layout & Design
2024 - California News Publishers Association 2023 California Journalism Awards
Fall's cookbooks boast variety with dash of bold flavor
🏆 1st - Best Front Page Design (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2023 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Designer
🥉 3rd - Best Informational Graphic (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2023 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Election results
🥈 2nd - Best Investigative or In-Depth Story or Series (Nondaily <3k)
2023 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
"Yema owners sue Belvedere in profiling claim"
🥉 3rd - Best Reporting on Local Government (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2023 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote series on police reform and social equity
🥇 1st - Best Informational Graphic (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2023 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Tsunami hazards maps
🥈 2nd - Best Family Life Living Section Pages (All papers)
2023 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Designer
🏅 HM - Best Local News Coverage (All papers <3k)
2023 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Editor
🥇 1st - Best Reporting on Local Government (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2023 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote series on the housing crisis
🥇 1st - Inside Page Layout & Design (Weeklies <11k)
2023 - California News Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Designer
🥈 2nd - Coverage of Local Government (Weeklies <4.3k)
2023 - California News Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote series on Tiburon Peninsula's efforts to address housing crisis
🥈 2nd - Special Section Cover (All weeklies)
2023 - California News Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Designer
🥇 1st - In-Depth Reporting (Weeklies <4.3k)
2023 - California News Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote series on Belvedere's illegal sharing of license-plate capture data
🥈 2nd - Breaking News (Weeklies <4.3k)
2023 - California News Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
"Tiburon police sergeant dies in apparent suicide at station"
🥇 1st - Land-Use Reporting (Weeklies <4.3k)
2023 - California News Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote series on Tiburon Peninsula's efforts to address housing crisis
🥉 3rd - Land-Use Reporting (Weeklies <4.3k)
2023 - California News Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote housing series on redevelopment of private Mallard Pointe community
🥉 3rd - Informational Graphic (All weeklies)
2023 - California News Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Designer Tsunami flood maps
🥈 2nd - Writing (Weeklies <4.3k)
2023 - California News Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
"Yema owners sue Belvedere in profiling claim"
🥇 1st - Coverage of 2022 Elections (Weeklies <4.3k)
2023 - California News Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote results package
🥉 3rd - Coverage of Business and the Economy (Weeklies <4.3k)
2023 - California News Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
"Sam's sees early success in NFT presale"
🥇 1st - Best Business Story (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2022 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote "Downtown landlord seeks $300K for late-night ferry" with Deirdre McCrohan
🥈 2nd - Best Special News Sports or Feature Section or Edition (All papers <3k)
2022 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Editor-designer; staff award.
🥈 2nd - Best Reporting on Local Government (Nondaily 2k-3999)
2022 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote series on policing and diversity
🥇 1st - Best Investigative or In-Depth Story or Series (Nondaily <3k)
2022 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote series on policing and diversity
🥉 3rd - Best Sports Feature Story or Series (All papers <3k)
2022 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote "From sails to speedways Tiburon man born to race" with Shayne Jones
🏆 2nd - GENERAL EXCELLENCE (Nondaily <3k)
2022 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Editor; staff award.
🥈 2nd - Best Family Life Living Section Pages (All papers)
2022 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Editor; staff award.
🥇 1st - Sports Feature Story (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California News Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "From sails to speedways Tiburon man born to race" with Shayne Jones
🥈 2nd - Arts & Entertainment Coverage (All weeklies)
2022 - California News Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Editor; staff award.
🥉 3rd - Coverage of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California News Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Businesses look to rebound as virus restrictions ease once again" with Deirdre McCrohan
🥉 3rd - Public Service Journalism (Weeklies <11k)
2022 - California News Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote series of stories on Tiburon tackling racial diversity and justice
🥇 1st - In-Depth Reporting (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California News Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote series on Tiburon tackling racial diversity and justice
🥉 3rd - In-Depth Reporting (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California News Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Widespread internet outage leads to frustration questions" with Shayne Jones
🏅 5th - Writing (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California News Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Police press release raises questions about use of race" with Shayne Jones
🥇 1st - Coverage of Local Government (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California News Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-write series on Tiburon tackling racial diversity and justice
🏅 5th - Special Section Cover (all weeklies)
2022 - California News Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Designer.
🥇 1st - Front Page Layout & Design (Weeklies <11k)
2022 - California News Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Designer
🏆 2nd - GENERAL EXCELLENCE (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California News Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Editor; staff award.
🥈 2nd - Best Family Life Living Section Pages (All papers)
2021 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Editor-designer; staff award.
🏅 HM - Freedom of Information (All papers)
2021 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote articles with Hannah Weikel about Marin state not being able to explain ICU calculations behind coronavirus shutdowns
🥉 3rd - Best Local News Coverage (All papers <3k)
2021 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Editor; staff award.
🏅 HM - Communication in Crisis (All papers <6k)
2021 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Overall coronavirus shelter-in-place coverage
🥈 2nd - Special Section Cover (All weeklies)
2021 - California News Publishers Association 2020 California Journalism Awards
Designer
🏅 4th - Coverage of Local Government (Weeklies <4.3k)
2021 - California News Publishers Association 2020 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Belvedere pushing ahead with plans to upgrade seawalls" with Hannah Weikel.
🏆 2nd - GENERAL EXCELLENCE (Weeklies <4.3k)
2021 - California News Publishers Association 2020 California Journalism Awards
Editor; staff award.
🥉 3rd - Public Service Journalism (Weeklies <25k)
2021 - California News Publishers Association 2020 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote series of articles about race incidents leading to resignations investigations reform citizen panel
🥉 3rd - Front Page Layout & Design (Weeklies <11k)
2021 - California News Publishers Association 2020 California Journalism Awards
Designer.
🥈 2nd - Breaking News (Weeklies <25k)
2021 - California News Publishers Association 2020 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Bay Area ordered to shelter in place" with Emily Lavin.