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Joe Hendricks

Joe Hendricks

February 11, 2017
Joe Hendricks the editor of the Anna Maria Island Sun. As a Sun reporter, Joe primarily covers the cities of Anna Maria and Holmes Beach, including those two city goverments. He also covers Island-related matters at the county and state levels.
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October 25, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
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Bradenton Beach formalizes beach concession fund request

BRADENTON BEACH – The City Commission has adopted city resolution 22-961, which formalizes the city’s pursuit of $105,000 in Manatee County Commission-controlled surplus beach concession fund…
October 25, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor provides ‘by the numbers’ hurricane report

Mayor provides ‘Ian by the numbers’ hurricane report

ANNA MARIA – Former Anna Maria Commissioner Doug Copeland praised the city’s Hurricane Ian cleanup and recovery efforts, particularly the efforts of new Public Works Manager Ryan Wieland…
October 25, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach commission nixes rezoning efforts

Bradenton Beach commission nixes rezoning efforts

BRADENTON BEACH – Commissioners are abandoning the city’s efforts to rezone 23 residentially-zoned properties north of Bridge Street and south of the Cortez Bridge. Instead, to address inc…
October 18, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria seeks county funds for inlet study

Anna Maria seeks county funds for inlet study

ANNA MARIA – City officials are seeking $105,000 in county commission-controlled surplus beach concession funds for a study of the Lake La Vista inlet. Mayor Dan Murphy presented the funding reque…
October 18, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
City prevails in Sunshine lawsuit appeal

City prevails in Sunshine lawsuit appeal

BRADENTON BEACH – The city has prevailed in the appeal of a 2019 court ruling that six former city advisory board members violated Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law. On Oct. 14, a t…
October 18, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier to receive a second coat of stain

City Pier to receive a second coat of stain

ANNA MARIA – The City Pier decking will be stained again in November, with the work taking place at night while the pier is closed as usual. On Thursday, Oct. 13, the Anna Maria City Com…
October 17, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Mote Marine submits City Pier plans

Mote Marine submits City Pier plans

ANNA MARIA – Mote Marine met its Oct. 13 deadline to present the city with detailed plans for the marine education outreach center to be installed on the City Pier, averting the possibility o…
October 17, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Commission rejects proposed food truck zone location

Commission rejects proposed food truck zone location

ANNA MARIA – City officials have decided not to create a designated food truck zone at the northwest end of Bayfront Park, nor will there be a designated food truck area at City Pier Park…
October 17, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Injured gator captured near Rod and Reel Pier

Injured gator captured near Rod & Reel Pier

ANNA MARIA – An injured alligator came ashore near the Rod & Reel Pier on Oct. 8. After being trapped and removed, the gator was later euthanized due to its broken leg. Dep. Patrick Ma…
October 10, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
County commission authorizes water taxi expenditure

County commission authorizes water taxi expenditure

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County commissioners have authorized County Administrator Scott Hopes to spend up to $700,000 to design and build two pontoon boats for use as water taxis to serve Anna Maria…
October 10, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
  Term limits on Bradenton Beach ballot, again

Term limits on Bradenton Beach ballot, again

BRADENTON BEACH – With mail voting now underway, Bradenton Beach voters have begun deciding the fate of five proposed amendments to the city charter. The five charter amendment questions that appe…
October 2, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Island dodges Hurricane Ian’s bullets

Anna Maria Island dodges Hurricane Ian’s bullets

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Hurricane Ian inflicted significant damage on some mobile homes in Bradenton Beach, but Anna Maria Island as a whole survived the hurricane without the widespread devastation many…
September 29, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Hurricane Ian takes it easy on Anna Maria Island

Hurricane Ian takes it relatively easy on Anna Maria Island

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Although some damage occurred, Anna Maria Island survived Hurricane Ian without suffering the widespread devastation many residents and business owners originally feared. As of…
September 25, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria declares state of local emergency

Anna Maria declares state of local emergency

ANNA MARIA – In response to the anticipated approach of Hurricane Ian, the Anna Maria City Commission has declared a temporary state of local emergency. The commission took this action during an e…
September 20, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Pine Avenue roundabout rejected

Pine Avenue roundabout rejected

ANNA MARIA – The city commission has rejected a proposed roundabout and delivery truck turnaround area at the Pine Avenue/South Bay Boulevard intersection near the City Pier. Representing…