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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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October 9, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach bike share

Bike share service proposed in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Mobile Muttley’s owners Thomas Pechous and Tracy Thrall presented their proposed bike share service to city commissioners last week. While no commission action was required, the…
October 8, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Island cities prepare for Hurricane Michael

Updated Oct. 9 – ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As Hurricane Michael approaches Florida’s west coast, local officials are making storm preparations. Lt. John Cosby serves as Bradenton Beach’s emergency opera…
October 6, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Government Kids Chappie

Students to take over city hall on Local Government Day

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and the city of Bradenton Beach have invited 75 Bradenton Christian School third-graders to participate in the “Youth In Politics – E…
October 6, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Martin Campaign Violation

Commission candidate omits required disclaimer

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach City Commission candidate Tjet Martin recently mailed a campaign letter to 246 city voters that does not include a political disclaimer required by state law. Mar…
October 2, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Red Tide SBA loans

Economic injury loans available

Greg Dawson, Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Disaster Assistance Field Operations met with a group of Bradenton Beach business owners last week a…
October 2, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

A swordfishing pioneer remembered

CORTEZ – Legendary swordfish and tuna boat captain Warren Cannon passed away recently after a body surfing accident in St. Augustine. On Saturday, Sept. 29, Cannon’s ashes were scattered in the wa…
October 2, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Commission candidates discuss city issues

BRADENTON BEACH – Incumbent commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro, former Scenic WAVES Committee chair Tjet Martin and former Planning and Zoning Board member John Metz are competing for the two…
October 2, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Red Tide Banyas Request

Red tide fishing request denied

CORTEZ – Commercial fisherman and Cortez businessman John Banyas came up short in his attempt to get the state-issued special activity license that he sought to harvest mullet and thread fin herring…
September 29, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Campaign Cole

Cole leads fundraising in Bradenton Beach commission race

BRADENTON BEACH – Incumbent Bradenton Beach City Commissioner Ralph Cole is the leading campaign fundraiser in the four-person race for the two commission seats to be decided in the upcoming city ele…
September 18, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
catch and release moore

Local captains support catch-and-release order

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Local charter fishing captains support the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) executive order that temporarily imposes catch-and-release restrictions on sno…
September 18, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
symphony on the sand 2017

Symphony on the Sand preparations underway

BRADENTON BEACH – Tickets are on sale for the Sixth Annual Symphony on the Sand concert and gourmet food event at Coquina Beach on Saturday, Nov. 10. Sponsorship opportunities are also still availabl…
September 18, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Giving Back Billy Rice

Giving Back does it again

CORTEZ – The Swordfish Grill, Sande Caplin & Associates, The Sarasota Post, A Paradise Realty and the local community raised more than $20,000 for Hungers End during the Thursday, Sept. 13, Givin…
September 12, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
red tide fishing license exception

Special license sought to lessen red tide fish kills

BRADENTON BEACH – Cortez fisherman and businessman John Banyas is seeking a state-issued special activity license allowing him a greater ability to harvest mullet and threadfin herring when those spe…
September 12, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Turtle Watch

Hank’s and A Paradise help AMI Turtle Watch

HOLMES BEACH – A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals and Hurricane Hank’s teamed up for the inaugural Turtle Watch Wednesday fundraiser that raised more than $2,300 for Anna Maria Island Turtle Watc…
September 12, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach CRA underground

CRA approves undergrounding project

BRADENTON BEACH – The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has agreed to spend approximately $568,000 to place underground the utility lines on Bridge Street and some of the lines that cross over Gul…