Skip to main content
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.
Email Joe Hendricks
November 27, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Holiday of Treasures

Businesses prepare for Holiday of Treasures

ANNA MARIA – Co-sponsored by the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and the Anna Maria Island Sun, The Anna Maria Holiday of Treasures Open House will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14…
November 27, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Giving Tree

Giving Tree a holiday tradition

HOLMES BEACH – As she does every year, Paradise Bagels & Cafe owner Jackie Estes is asking the Island community to support her annual Giving Tree project that assists underprivileged children dur…
November 27, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
BridgeTender Dock

Bridge Tender Inn seeks dock extension

BRADENTON BEACH – Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar owner Fred Bartizal is seeking City Commission approval for a six-slip, 100-foot extension of his existing commercial dock. After reviewing t…
November 27, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach Boat Parade

Holiday boat parade sets sail

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach Marina president Mike Bazzy invites boaters to participate in the inaugural Bradenton Beach Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Intracoastal Wa…
November 24, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
George Kokolis Dock

Kokolis dock request approved

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach City Commission has approved Gulf Drive Café owners George and Wendy Kokolis’ request to install a 120-foot-long residential dock and boat lift for their multi-u…
November 23, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
HB Fish Canal

Holmes Beach officials responding to fish floating in canals

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach city officials are aware of the dead fish floating in some of Holmes Beach’s residential canals and they are working to rectify the situation. One of the most visible i…
November 20, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Tree lighting Saturday

BRADENTON BEACH – The annual lighting of the Bridge Street Merchants’ Christmas tree is scheduled for approximately 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24. There had been discussion among the Bridge Stree…
November 20, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton beach swearing in Cole

Cole and Maro sworn in

BRADENTON BEACH – As a result of their successful re-election bids, incumbent City Commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro were sworn into their new two-year commissioner terms on Monday, Nov. 19…
November 20, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach commissioner deposed

Commissioner deposed regarding Sunshine lawsuit

BRADENTON BEACH – City Commissioner Randy White has been deposed as part of the discovery process for the city-initiated 2017 lawsuit that alleges six city advisory board members violated the Sunshin…
November 20, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Mullet fishing tournament Winner

Jeffries wins mullet tournament

CORTEZ – Cortez resident Kenny Jeffries won the Fifth Annual Flippin’ Mullet Sports Bar Mullet Fishing Tournament at the Swordfish Grill in Cortez on Sunday, Nov. 18. Jeffries was the overall tour…
November 17, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
BB Officer Straight

Devon Straight joins Bradenton Beach Police Department

BRADENTON BEACH – Nineteen-year-old Devon Straight is Bradenton Beach’s newest police officer. He was sworn in on Thursday morning, Nov. 15, then introduced to the City Commission at its noon meet…
November 13, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach day dock located

Digital trail leads to undelivered day dock

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials have found the undelivered floating day dock and are now cautiously optimistic the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) dock project will be completed. Police Chie…
November 13, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Holiday events taking shape

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bridge Street Merchants are finalizing their plans for the annual Christmas on Bridge Street holiday celebration taking place this year on Saturday, Dec. 15. Bridge Street Me…
November 11, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Buddy Lee

Bridge Street loses its Buddy and beloved mascot

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach and Bridge Street lost a good buddy last week when Buddy Lee, the 14-year-old purebred tick beagle, passed away. Buddy had to be put to sleep on Monday, Nov. 5. A…
November 6, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Elections Whitmore

Whitmore, Servia, Bellamy win county commission races

Updated Nov. 6, 10:33 p.m. MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County voters, including those on Anna Maria Island, re-elected incumbent District 6 at-large County Commissioner Carol Whitmore to another four-ye…