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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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September 17, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Sun to host Holmes Beach candidate forum

Sun to host Holmes Beach candidate forum

HOLMES BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Sun will host a Holmes Beach city commission candidate forum at Holmes Beach City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 6-7:30 p.m., and the public is invited. The fo…
September 17, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
No millage increase for Holmes Beach property owners

No millage increase for Holmes Beach property owners

HOLMES BEACH – The mayor and city commissioners are maintaining the current 1.99 millage rate rather than increasing it to the maximum 2.1812 millage rate tentatively adopted by a 3-2 vote in late Ju…
September 16, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Bean Point property owners can swim in ‘no swim’ zone

Mayor vetoes Bean Point ‘no swim’ zone ordinance

Story updated 9/20/25 ANNA MARIA – On Sept. 15, Mayor Mark Short vetoed the Bean Point ‘no swim’ zone emergency ordinance unanimously adopted by city commissioners on Sept. 11 that would have allowe…
September 16, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental stakeholders share common goals

Vacation rental stakeholders share common goals

HOLMES BEACH – Working together and supporting each other’s efforts were two main themes shared during the Vacation Rental Stakehold­ers meeting held at Holmes Beach city hall on Sept. 10. More than…
September 16, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria parts ways with embattled building official

Anna Maria parts ways with embattled building official

ANNA MARIA – Craig Greene is no longer serving as Anna Maria’s contracted building official. Toward the end of the Sept. 11 Anna Maria City Commission meeting, Mayor Mark Short briefly addressed Gre…
September 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County joining SB 180 legal challenge

Manatee County joining SB 180 legal challenge

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County is joining a soon to be filed lawsuit that will challenge the new state law created by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis’s adoption and enactment of Senate…
September 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach officials discuss SB 180

Holmes Beach officials discuss SB 180

HOLMES BEACH – City officials are taking a wait and see approach to joining a yet to be filed lawsuit that will challenge a new state law that significantly re­stricts Florida cities and counties’ ab…
September 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Bowling fun raises funds for The Center

Bowling fun raises funds for The Center

BRADENTON – The Greg LaPensee Bowling Tourna­ment at Bowlero in Bradenton on Sept. 6 was a fun-filled community event that raised funds for The Center of Anna Maria Island. Holmes Beach-based LaPens…
September 3, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
No swim zone implemented after Bean Point drowning

No swim zone implemented after Bean Point drowning

ANNA MARIA – Swimming is now prohibited at Bean Point in Anna Maria. Implemented on Tuesday, Sept. 2, the Bean Point no swim zone extends around Bean Point from the Fern Street beach access to the b…
September 2, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria increases stormwater fees

Anna Maria increases stormwater fees

ANNA MARIA – Property owners in the city will see their annual stormwater fees double from $2 per 100 square feet of property to $4 per 100 square feet. On Aug. 28, city commissioners Chris Arendt…
September 2, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach commissioner proposes paid beach parking

Holmes Beach commissioner proposes paid beach parking

HOLMES BEACH – City commissioner Dan Diggins suggested implementing paid parking within a quarter mile of the city-controlled public beach access points located at numerous street ends throughout the…
September 1, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Search continues for missing Bean Point swimmer

Body of missing Bean Point swimmer believed to have been recovered

STORY UPDATED: 2 p.m., Sept. 1 ANNA MARIA – A body has been recovered that is believed to be the swimmer who went missing Sunday evening while swimming off Bean Point in Anna Maria. A press rel…
September 1, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Island candidates qualify for fall election cycle

Island candidates qualify for fall election cycle

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The qualifying period for city commission and mayoral candidates on Anna Maria Island ended on Aug. 29 at noon and there will be only one contested city commission race in the upc…
September 1, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Island mayors receive OPPAGA study-related letter

Island mayors receive OPPAGA study-related letter

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On Aug. 28, the three Anna Maria Island mayors received an OPPAGA-related letter from State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) and State Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton). Addressed…
August 27, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Ross Built wins prestigious Southern Living award

Ross Built wins prestigious Southern Living award

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Bradenton-based Ross Built Custom Homes was featured in the August issue of Southern Living magazine as the winner of the 2025 Southern Living Custom Builder Program Member of the…