Kevin Hessel
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Kevin Hessel’s Biography
Read Full Bio →Co-owner and executive editor of The Ark, the weekly newspaper serving the towns of Tiburon, Belvedere and Strawberry on the greater Tiburon Peninsula in Marin County, part of California's San Francisco Bay Area. It has been named among the state's and the nation's best small community newspapers each year since 2014, and in 2018 and 2019 earned first place for general excellence from the National Newspaper Association.
Awards
See all 135 awards →1st - Best Localized National Story (Nondaily <6k)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
"Tiburon sees lowest levels of crime in four decades"
1st - Best Informational Graphic (Nondaily 2k-3,999)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
"Belvedere Challenge fun run tackles city’s walking lanes"
2nd - Best Informational Graphic (Nondaily 2k-3,999)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
"Tiburon sees lowest levels of crime in four decades"
2nd - Best Reporting on Local Government (Nondaily 2k-3,999)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Kevin Hessel, Francisco Martinez, Deirdre McCrohan, Katherine Martine, Hemananthani Sivanandam — "Cities, residents balk at new California housing laws"
2nd - Best Investigative or In-Depth Story or Series (Nondaily <3k)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Katherine Martine, Kevin Hessel — "New captain to become Tiburon’s first female police chief"
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-3,999)
2024 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
"Cougar tracked deep into Tiburon"
1st - Technology Reporting
2024 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2023 California Journalism Awards
Francisco Martinez, Kevin Hessel / "Paradise Cay puts in private license-plate cams"
1st - Print Special Section Cover
2024 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2023 California Journalism Awards
Designer
2nd - Print Inside Page Layout & Design
2024 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2023 California Journalism Awards
"From barren hill to stunning sanctuary in Strawberry"
3rd - Housing and Land-Use Reporting
2024 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2023 California Journalism Awards
Deirdre McCrohan, Kevin Hessel, Francisco Martinez, Hemananthani Sivanandam / Series: Tiburon faces opposition to housing plans"
3rd - Print Inside Page Layout & Design
2024 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2023 California Journalism Awards
"Fall's cookbooks boast variety with dash of bold flavor"
4th - Print Inside Page Layout & Design
2024 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2023 California Journalism Awards
"Community leaders share their favorite recipes"
1st - Best Reporting on Local Government (Nondaily 2k-3,999)
2023 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote series on the housing crisis
2nd - Best Family Life Living Section Pages (All papers)
2023 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
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-3,999)
2023 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote series on police reform and social equity
HM - Best Local News Coverage (All papers <3k)
2023 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
1st - Inside Page Layout & Design (Weeklies <11k)
2023 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Designer
1st - Coverage of 2022 Elections (Weeklies <4,300)
2023 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote results package
1st - In-Depth Reporting (Weeklies <4,300)
2023 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote series on Belvedere's illegal sharing of license-plate capture data
1st - Land-Use Reporting (Weeklies <4,300)
2023 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote series on Tiburon Peninsula's efforts to address housing crisis
2nd - Writing (Weeklies <4,300)
2023 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Writer, "Yema owners sue Belvedere in profiling claim"
2nd - Breaking News (Weeklies <4,300)
2023 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Tiburon police sergeant dies in apparent suicide at station"
2nd - Coverage of Local Government (Weeklies <4,300)
2023 - California Newspaper 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 Newspaper Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Designer
3rd - Informational Graphic (All weeklies)
2023 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Designer, Tsunami flood maps
3rd - Coverage of Business and the Economy (Weeklies <4,300)
2023 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Sam's sees early success in NFT presale"
3rd - Land-Use Reporting (Weeklies <4,300)
2023 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2022 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote housing series on redevelopment of private Mallard Pointe community
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
1st - Best Business Story (Nondaily 2k-3,999)
2022 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote "Downtown landlord seeks $300K for late-night ferry" with Deirdre McCrohan
2nd - Best Reporting on Local Government (Nondaily 2k-3,999)
2022 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote series on policing and diversity
2nd - Best Special News, Sports or Feature Section or Edition (All papers <3k)
2022 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Editor-designer; staff award
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 (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Editor; staff award
1st - In-Depth Reporting (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote series on Tiburon tackling racial diversity and justice
1st - Coverage of Local Government (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-write series on Tiburon tackling racial diversity and justice
1st - Sports Feature Story (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "From sails to speedways, Tiburon man born to race" with Shayne Jones
1st - Front Page Layout & Design (Weeklies <11k)
2022 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Designer
2nd - Arts & Entertainment Coverage (All weeklies)
2022 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Editor; staff award.
3rd - Public Service Journalism (Weeklies <11k)
2022 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote series of stories on Tiburon tackling racial diversity and justice
3rd - In-Depth Reporting (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Widespread internet outage leads to frustration, questions" with Shayne Jones
3rd - Coverage of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Businesses look to rebound as virus restrictions ease once again" with Deirdre McCrohan
5th - Writing (Weeklies <4.3k)
2022 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Police press release raises questions about use of race" with Shayne Jones
5th - Special Section Cover (all weeklies)
2022 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2021 California Journalism Awards
Designer.
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
HM - Communication in Crisis (All papers <6k)
2021 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
Overall coronavirus shelter-in-place coverage
2nd - GENERAL EXCELLENCE (Weeklies <4.3k)
2021 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2020 California Journalism Awards
Editor; staff award.
2nd - Breaking News (Weeklies <25k)
2021 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2020 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Bay Area ordered to shelter in place" with Emily Lavin.
2nd - Special Section Cover (All weeklies)
2021 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2020 California Journalism Awards
Designer
3rd - Public Service Journalism (Weeklies <25k)
2021 - California Newspaper 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 Newspaper Publishers Association 2020 California Journalism Awards
Designer.
4th - Coverage of Local Government (Weeklies <4.3k)
2021 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2020 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Belvedere pushing ahead with plans to upgrade seawalls" with Hannah Weikel.
1st - GENERAL EXCELLENCE (Weeklies <4.3k)
2020 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2019 California Journalism Awards
Editor; staff award.
3rd - Best Health Story (All <6k)
2020 - National Newspaper Association Better Newspapers Contest
"Vaccination rates for kindergartners at 95 percent at Reed Elementary School"
1st - Coverage of Local Government (Weeklies <4.3k)
2020 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2019 California Journalism Awards
Tiburon drone restrictions and implications on First Amendment freedoms. Reported with Deirdre McCrohan.
2nd - Breaking News (Weeklies <4.3k)
2020 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2019 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote "Peninsula hit with PG&E blackouts" with Hannah Weikel.
4th - Inside Page Layout
2020 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2019 California Journalism Awards
"Desire to downsize drives renovation of Tiburon condo"
5th - Special Section Cover (all weeklies)
2020 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2019 California Journalism Awards
Generosity (Summer 2019), Generosity (Winter 2019) & Home (Fall 2019)
1st - GENERAL EXCELLENCE
2019 - National Newspaper Association
Editor, staff award. The Ark is named the nation's best small community weekly for the second consecutive year.
2nd - Best Public Notice Journalism
2019 - National Newspaper Association
Co-wrote series of articles concerning the expansion of the Belvedere-Tiburon Library and the use of public funds.
2nd - GENERAL EXCELLENCE
2019 - California News Publishers Association 2018 California Journalism Awards
Editor. Ark staff award.
1st - Public Service Journalism
2019 - California News Publishers Association 2018 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote series of articles concerning the expansion of the Belvedere-Tiburon Library and the use of public funds.
1st - Artistic Photo
2019 - California News Publishers Association 2018 California Journalism Awards
"Celestial hat trick" photo of super blue blood moon over the Golden Gate Bridge
2nd - Coverage of Local Government
2019 - California News Publishers Association 2018 California Journalism Awards
Co-wrote series of articles concerning the expansion of the Belvedere-Tiburon Library and the use of public funds.
3rd - Inside Page Layout & Design
2019 - California News Publishers Association 2018 California Journalism Awards
Designer. Editor of The Ark.
1st - GENERAL EXCELLENCE
2018 - National Newspaper Association
Editor, staff award. The Ark is named the nation's best small community weekly.
2nd - Best Editorial
2018 - National Newspaper Association
“On the cover: What it looks like without local journalism," editorial paired with a blank front page for National Newspaper Week.
HM - Best Breaking News Story
2018 - National Newspaper Association
"Destruction, loss and compassion," first-week coverage of Wine Country wildfires with Matthew Hose, Emily Lavin and Elliot Karlan.
3rd - Editorial Comment
2018 - California News Publishers Association 2017 California Journalism Awards
“On the cover: What it looks like without local journalism," editorial paired with a blank front page for National Newspaper Week.
HM - Breaking News
2018 - California News Publishers Association 2017 California Journalism Awards
"Destruction, loss and compassion," first-week coverage of Wine Country wildfires with Matthew Hose, Emily Lavin and Elliot Karlan.
1st - Best Education/Literacy Story
2017 - National Newspaper Association
Co-wrote series of stories on school district adapting to state's new childhood vaccination rules, with reporter Deirdre McCrohan and contributor Carly Nairn.
2nd - Best Health Story
2017 - National Newspaper Association
Co-wrote story on school district adapting to state's new childhood vaccination rules, with contributor Carly Nairn.
2nd - Best Front Page, Tabloid
2017 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2016 Better Newspapers Contest
Designer. Editor of The Ark.
HM - Best Education Story/Series
2017 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2016 Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote series of stories on school district adapting to state's new childhood vaccination rules, with reporter Deirdre McCrohan and contributor Carly Nairn.
1st - Best Health Story
2016 - National Newspaper Association
Co-wrote "As measles hits Marin, Reed parents’ vaccine pleas gain national attention" with reporter Deirdre McCrohan.
2nd - Best Education/Literacy Story
2016 - National Newspaper Association
Co-wrote "As measles hits Marin, Reed parents’ vaccine pleas gain national attention" with reporter Deirdre McCrohan.
1st - Best Writing
2016 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2015 Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote "As measles hits Marin, Reed parents’ vaccine pleas gain national attention" with reporter Deirdre McCrohan.
1st - Coverage of Education
2016 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2015 Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote "As measles hits Marin, Reed parents’ vaccine pleas gain national attention" with reporter Deirdre McCrohan.
HM - Best Front Page
2016 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2015 Better Newspapers Contest
Designer. Editor of The Ark.
1st - Best Special Section
2015 - National Newspaper Association
Editor and designer on The Ark's eight-page pullout commemorating Tiburon's 50th anniversary.
Finalist - GENERAL EXCELLENCE
2015 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2014 Better Newspapers Contest
The Ark was recognized for general excellence in California for the first time in its 42-year history. Editor. Staff award.
2nd - Best Front Page
2015 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2014 Better Newspapers Contest
Editor and page designer, The Ark.
2nd - Best Overall Page Layout & Design
2015 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2014 Better Newspapers Contest
Editor and page designer, The Ark.
3rd - GENERAL EXCELLENCE
2014 - National Newspaper Association
The Ark was recognized with a national general-excellence award for the first time in its 42-year history. Editor. Staff award.
2nd - Best Breaking News Story
2014 - National Newspaper Association
Co-wrote for The Ark "Blackie's Pasture blast rocks Southern Marin," breaking news story on the arrest of a local teen and the regional bomb squad's detonation of three pipe bombs found in his vehicle.
1st - Best Front Page
2014 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2013 Better Newspapers Contest
Editor and page designer, The Ark.
HM - Coverage of Local Government
2014 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2013 Better Newspapers Contest
Co-wrote article for The Ark on the former city manager manager of Belvedere earning an extension on his $400,000 home loan repaymen
HM - Overall Page Layout & Design
2014 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2013 Better Newspapers Contest
Editor and page designer, The Ark.
1st - Best Breaking News Story
2013 - National Newspaper Association 2012 Better Newspapers Contest
Wrote and co-reported "Tragedy at Sea" breaking news article on deadly yacht-racing accident for The Ark.
2nd - Best Overall Local News Coverage
2013 - National Newspaper Association 2012 Better Newspapers Contest
Editor. Ark staff award.
1st - Breaking News
2013 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2012 Better Newspapers Contest
Wrote and co-reported "Tragedy at Sea" breaking news article on deadly yacht-racing accident for The Ark.
1st - Investigative Reporting
2013 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2012 Better Newspapers Contest
Wrote and co-reported "Tragedy at Sea" breaking news article on deadly yacht-racing accident for The Ark.
1st - Overall Page Layout & Design
2013 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2012 Better Newspapers Contest
Editor and page designer, The Ark.
2nd - Best Front Page
2013 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2012 Better Newspapers Contest
Editor and page designer, The Ark.
1st - Best Front Page
2012 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2011 Better Newspapers Contest
Page editor and designer, Marin IJ.
2nd - Overall Page Layout & Design
2012 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2011 Better Newspapers Contest
Editor and page designer, The Ark.
HM - Best Front Page
2012 - California Newspaper Publishers Association 2011 Better Newspapers Contest
Editor and page designer, The Ark.
1st - Best Front Page
2008 - California Newspaper Publishers Association Better Newspapers Contest
Page editor and designer, Marin IJ. First competition after redesign.
HM - Overall Page Layout & Design
2008 - California Newspaper Publishers Association Better Newspapers Contest
Page editor and designer, Marin IJ. First competition after redesign.
1st - Magazine Profile Story
1999 - Journalism Association of Community Colleges
Writer. Editor of Saddleback Inkslinger.
2nd - Magazine News/Feature Story
1999 - Journalism Association of Community Colleges
Writer. Editor of Saddleback Inkslinger.
2nd - Magazine News/Feature Story
1998 - Journalism Association of Community Colleges
Writer. Editor of Saddleback Inkslinger.
2nd - Magazine Cover Design
1998 - Journalism Association of Community Colleges
Designer. Editor of Saddleback Inkslinger.
3rd - Magazine Design/Layout
1998 - Journalism Association of Community Colleges
Designer. Editor of Saddleback Inkslinger.
1st - Feature Writing
1998 - Orange County Fair Best Reporters Contest
Writer. Editor of Saddleback Inkslinger.
1st - Food/Restaurant Review
1998 - Orange County Fair Best Reporters Contest
Writer. Editor of Saddleback Inkslinger.
1st - Inside Page Design-Broadsheet
1997 - Journalism Association of Community Colleges
Page editor and designer, Saddleback Lariat.
2nd - Front Page Design-Broadsheet
1997 - Journalism Association of Community Colleges
Page editor and designer, Saddleback Lariat.
3rd - Inside Page Design-Broadsheet
1997 - Journalism Association of Community Colleges
Page editor and designer, Saddleback Lariat.
1st - Inside Page Design-Broadsheet
1996 - Journalism Association of Community Colleges
Page editor and designer, Saddleback Lariat.