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Joe Hendricks

Joe Hendricks

February 11, 2017
Joe Hendricks is 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 governments. He also covers Island-related matters at the county and state levels, breaking Island news, events and entertainment and more.
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August 25, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria’s proposed paid parking raises many questions 

The proposed parking program will be discussed at The Center on Monday, Aug. 31 at 4 p.m.
August 25, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

City seeks TDC, county support for tide valve project 

 HOLMES BEACH – The city of Holmes Beach seeks $344,500 of the county’s tourist development tax (TDT) revenues to install 92 tide valves throughout the city over a five-year period.  The…
August 25, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

April, May, June tourism remained strong

Tourism in the greater Bradenton/Anna Maria Island area remained strong during April, May and June.
August 18, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria revising beach cabana rental regulations

Anna Maria’s previously enacted beach cabana rental regulations are undergoing significant revisions.
August 18, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Island voters help decide county, state and federal primary races

MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island and Cortez voters helped decide the Republican primary winner in the countywide County Commission District 6 At-Large primary race won by Tara Poulton. Island…
August 18, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria parking study recommends permit and paid parking

ANNA MARIA – The mayor and city commissioners are considering implementing a citywide parking plan in March that could potentially include 1,119 paid parking spaces located throughout the city. The s…
August 12, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Major revisions to Anna Maria cabana rental regulations to be discussed Thursday

Major revisions to Anna Maria’s cabana rental regulations will be discussed Thursday morning.
August 11, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria mayor provides hurricane recovery recap 

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria is currently facing a $2.3 million hurricane recovery reimbursement deficit, and Mayor Mark Short and city staff are applying lessons learned from the 2024 hurrica…
August 11, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria commission discusses citywide expenses

ANNA MARIA – The mayor and city commissioners held another budget preparation workshop on Thursday, Aug. 6, and the workshop focused on citywide expenses not assigned to a single department. City…
August 11, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Mail voting, early voting underway in primary elections

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatee County Assistant Supervisor of Elections Sharon Stief provided an update on the number of vote-by-mail ballots sent to Anna Maria Island voters for the primary election th…
August 3, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Young woman dies after fall on Egmont Key 

Twenty-year-old Victoria Zardoya later died after sustaining serious injuries when she fell from the ruins of old Fort Dade on Egmont Key on Friday, July 24.
August 3, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria budget discussions continue

The budget discussions continue in Anna Maria as the September budget adoption deadline draws closer.
July 28, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Public comment sought for Aqua’s proposed gabion wall

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District seeks public comment on the proposed construction of a gabion wall along the Long Bar Point/Sarasota Bay shoreline.
July 28, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria officials divided on millage increase 

ANNA MARIA – Commissioner Charlie Salem said he will not support a property tax-related millage increase sought by commissioners Chris Arendt and John Lynch for the new 2026-27 fiscal year that begin…
July 21, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Holmes Beach Commission plans to lower millage rate

Holmes Beach commissioners intend to lower the current 1.99 millage rate to 1.9272 mills when the city’s 2026-27 budget is adopted in September.