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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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December 31, 2017
By Joe Hendricks

Officer shoots knife-wielding man in Anna Maria

Updated Jan. 1, 2018 ANNA MARIA – A Bradenton Beach police officer shot and wounded an armed man Saturday night, according to a police report. Authorities said that Bradenton resident Douglas S…
December 30, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Pier Damage

Pier closure tops Anna Maria stories in 2017

ANNA MARIA – The pending replacement of the Anna Maria City Pier was a big story that became a bigger story when Hurricane Irma damaged the pier in September, leading to its closure. The pier will no…
December 30, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Shearon and Chappie

A memorable year in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – 2017 produced changes inside and outside city hall. Future city commissioners will be elected differently, a politically engaged citizens’ group came and went, the city is involv…
December 30, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Aqua by the Bay

Manatee County: The year in review

MANATEE COUNTY – Aqua by the Bay, the loss of Manatee County’s beloved mascot, Snooty, the removal of a Confederate monument, the proposed Hunters Point development and Hurricane Irma were among the…
December 26, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point canal

Canal ownership presents unique situation

CORTEZ – What impact does the revelation that Hunters Point Resort and Marina developer Marshall Gobuty owns the inland canal that borders his proposed development site have on neighboring property o…
December 22, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
John Chappie

Mayor seeks equal distribution of beach concession funds

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie supports the city of Anna Maria’s request to use $333,000 of surplus beach concession revenues for the replacement of the City Pier, but he wants a fair share of…
December 22, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach right of way work

Work begins in rights of way

BRADENTON BEACH – Residents are beginning to feel the impact of city rights of way and alleys being reclaimed for city and county water, sewer and drainage projects. “Manatee County notified us th…
December 19, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Confederate monument

Confederate monument repairs estimated

BRADENTON – It’s going to cost the county an estimated $41,500 to repair and relocate the Confederate monument damaged in August when it was removed from the grounds of the Manatee County Historic Co…
December 19, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Copeland Citizen of Year

Copeland named Citizen of the Year

ANNA MARIA – Longtime city resident and retired Anna Maria Island reporter Pat Copeland is the city of Anna Maria’s 2017 Citizen of the Year. Copeland was presented with the award and honored with…
December 19, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point aerial rendering

Hunters Point plans revealed

CORTEZ – In its first review of the proposed Hunters Point Resort and Marina, the Manatee County Planning Commission praised developer Marshall Gobuty for its green design, but raised concerns about…
December 12, 2017
By Joe Hendricks

Shark dragging charges detailed

Updated Dec. 15, 2017 MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office have charged Manatee County residents Robert…
December 12, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Ricinda Perry

Bar complaint against Perry dismissed

BRADENTON BEACH – The Florida Bar has dismissed a complaint that Bradenton Beach resident and former Planning and Zoning Board member John Metz filed against City Attorney Ricinda Perry. In the co…
December 12, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Day dock delivery

Day dock to open in early 2018

BRADENTON BEACH – The $119,980 floating public day dock is now scheduled to arrive in late January and be installed in February. Prefabricated off-site in sections, the new dock will be installed…
December 12, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Building official

Anna Maria hires new building official

ANNA MARIA – Less than a week after terminating Building Official Jimmy Strickland, Mayor Dan Murphy and the City Commission had his replacement on deck. Effective Jan. 1, David Greenbaum will bec…
December 9, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Cole Appointed

Cole appointed to commission

BRADENTON BEACH – Ralph Cole is back on the City Commission. Cole, who lost his Ward 3 reelection bid to Randy White in November, was appointed to the commission by a 3-1 vote during a special com…