Skip to main content
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.
Email Joe Hendricks
January 23, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
BB Cottage Elevation

Cottage elevated in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Chris Miller recently had his 1952 ground-level cottage elevated. Miller’s 452-square-foot cottage is located on a half lot at 1201 B Gulf Drive S. He bought the cottage in 2010…
January 23, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Top 10

Anna Maria makes Coastal Living’s Top 10

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has been named one of Coastal Living Magazine’s Top 10 America’s Happiest Seaside Towns for 2018, and online voting will determine which city is ranked number 1…
January 23, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
WMFR logo

Firefighters recognized for outstanding service

BRADENTON – Jeff Philips is the West Manatee Fire Rescue’s Firefighter of the Year, Richard Losek is Officer of the Year and William “Buddy” Bowen is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Award…
January 23, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Pier urgency

Pier urgency questioned

ANNA MARIA – City resident Richard Bristow suggests that city officials are showing a lack of urgency in reopening the pier. He makes his case in a Tuesday, Jan. 16 email to Anna Maria Mayor Dan M…
January 19, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Pier

Pier questions answered

ANNA MARIA – The city’s engineering firm has formally responded to questions posed by community members about replacing the Anna Maria City Pier. Holmes Beach resident Nancy Deal and others asked…
January 16, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Andrea Spring gingerbread house

Spring returns to her winning ways

MANATEE COUNTY – After a three-year absence, Andrea Spring returned to competitive baking last week and claimed four blue ribbons and a red ribbon at the Manatee County Fair. Spring owns and opera…
January 16, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Nancy Ambrose

Ambrose enters pre-trial diversion

HOLMES BEACH – Nancy Ambrose has entered into a pre-trial diversion contract which she must successfully complete for two third-degree felony charges to be dismissed regarding her butterfly garden fu…
January 12, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Grand Tree Anna Maria

Local tree regulations under attack

Updated Jan. 13, 2018 ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Florida Sen. Greg Steube (R-Sarasota) has filed a bill that seeks to prevent local governments from regulating tree removal and trimming and reserve that…
January 12, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point Development Plans

Hunters Point development approved

CORTEZ – Developer Marshall Gobuty has the green light to proceed with Hunters Point Resort and Marina. Manatee County commissioners voted 6-0 on Thursday in favor of the development plans and rez…
January 11, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Shark dragging defendants plead not guilty

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Robert “Bo” Benac, Spencer Heintz and Michael Wenzel pled not guilty on Wednesday, Jan. 10 to all charges stemming from a shark-dragging incident caught on video last July. A…
January 9, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Free Smurfs movie at City Pier Park

ANNA MARIA – The Smurfs are coming to City Pier Park in Anna Maria. As part of Anna Maria city officials’ continued efforts to better utilize the waterfront park, the city will host a free outdoor…
January 6, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Pier Plank International

Pier planks to become memorial walls

ANNA MARIA – The engraved wooden planks on the soon-to-be-replaced Anna Maria City Pier will be removed and used to build outdoor memorial walls at City Pier Park and at the Anna Maria Island Histori…
January 2, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Marine Rescue

Marine Rescue #1 in state

The Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association has awarded its most prestigious award, Beach Patrol of the Year, to the Manatee County Marine Rescue Division. The award goes to the best agency in the…
January 2, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Doug Copeland

Commission seeks sign relief for business owners

ANNA MARIA – City Commissioners are proposing lifting the ban on A-frame sandwich board signs due to the impact the closure of the Anna Maria City Pier is having on local businesses. Amended in 20…
January 2, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bob Slicker

Bob Slicker: The Sun’s 2017 Person of the Year

CORTEZ – Webster’s Dictionary defines a philanthropist as “one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare.” Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker’s dedication to philanthropy and he…