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 6, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
BB Election Cole Maro

Cole, Maro retain Bradenton Beach commission seats

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach voters re-elected incumbent Bradenton Beach City Commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro, choosing them over challengers Tjet Martin and John Metz. Bradenton Be…
November 6, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach website screenshot

Bradenton Beach shuts down city website

BRADENTON BEACH – The city has shut down its website until it can be made compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The city website was shut down last week at the request of Mayor…
November 6, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
celebrating a late friend Fisher Life Celebration

Celebrating a late friend’s love of Florida

CORTEZ – Vermont resident David Fisher dreamed of one day retiring and spending his winters with his wife Sue at their second home in west Bradenton. Those dreams were cut short on Aug. 17, when canc…
November 2, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Day Dock Tampa

CRA declaring Technomarine in default of dock contract

BRADENTON BEACH – Technomarine’s failure to install a floating public dock alongside the Bridge Street Pier has resulted in the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) initiating contractual default pro…
October 30, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Newfoundlanders Explore Anna Maria

Newfoundlanders explore Anna Maria Island

CORTEZ – Newfoundland residents Pat Mooney and Cathy Tucker visit Florida every year and their first stay in the Cortez and Anna Maria Island area is coming to an end. The couple of 14 years has s…
October 30, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County seal

County Commission candidates discuss campaign issues

MANATEE COUNTY – The winner of the District 6, at-large County Commission race between incumbent Carol Whitmore and challenger Candace Luther will help represent Anna Maria Island and Cortez at the c…
October 30, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach Christmas decorations

CRA purchasing holiday decorations

BRADENTON BEACH – The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) authorized member Jake Spooner’s proposal to spend $12,000 to $32,000 to decorate Bridge Street for the Christmas holidays using decorative…
October 25, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Fire damages Shore restaurant

LONGBOAT KEY – The Shore restaurant under construction at 800 Broadway sustained damage in a fire the night of Wednesday, Oct. 24. No injuries were reported, and the cause remains unknown. The int…
October 23, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Firefighters active in city commission campaign

BRADENTON BEACH – West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) Fire Chief Tom Sousa wants Bradenton Beach voters to know the fire district does not endorse city commission candidates. However, the Suncoast Pro…
October 23, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach Avenue C contract

Avenue C projects approved

BRADENTON BEACH – City Commissioners have authorized a $302,626 contract with Westra Construction to expedite drainage improvements and rights of way and driveway restorations along Avenue C. Minu…
October 23, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Property taxes become campaign talking points

BRADENTON BEACH – City Commission candidates have distributed campaign materials that prompted The Sun to fact check claims being made regarding property taxes. Candidate Tjet Martin mailed out a…
October 16, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County logo

County Commission candidates address campaign issues

Anna Maria Island and Cortez voters will help determine the winner of the District 6, at-large County Commission race between incumbent commissioner Carol Whitmore and challenger Candace Luther. T…
October 16, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach Ave C restoration

Avenue C restoration accelerated

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners want to make stormwater and drainage improvements along Avenue C sooner rather than later. As part of that process, the commission also wants to restore, at the c…
October 15, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Hurricane relief drive taking place in Cortez

CORTEZ – The Swordfish Grill, the Cortez Bait & Seafood Company, The Blessing Bags Project and the Service Industry Relief Festivities (SIRF) organization are teaming up to provide supplies to Fl…
October 9, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

More thoughts shared by commission candidates

BRADENTON BEACH – City Commission candidates Ralph Cole, Marilyn Maro, Tjet Martin and John Metz recently shared their thoughts on their campaigns and the issues the City Commission deals with. Co…