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
December 5, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria City Pier closed

Grateful on Thanksgiving

I spent a couple of hours on Thanksgiving morning at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria with the former employees of the City Pier Restaurant and bait shop. The time provided me with a deeper understanding…
December 5, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Island Real Estate sale

Island Real Estate sells vacation rental operation

HOLMES BEACH – Island Real Estate owner Larry Chatt has sold the vacation rental portion of his Island Real Estate business operation to Vacasa, an Oregon-based vacation rental management company…
December 5, 2017
By Joe Hendricks

Body identified not missing fisherman

Updated Dec. 5, 2017 CORTEZ – The Manatee County Coroner’ Office has identified a body found near Egmont Key last weekend, but it is not that of Fraser Horne, a Canadian who winters in Cortez…
December 5, 2017
By Joe Hendricks

Waterline Marina Resort opens

Updated Dec. 5, 2017  HOLMES BEACH – The Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club is open and the first guests have arrived. “We’re thrilled. It’s been a long time coming and we’ve had a lot of…
December 2, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Strickland fired

Flood insurance discounts jeopardized

ANNA MARIA – Building Official Jimmy Strickland has been terminated for inactions that could result in higher flood insurance premiums for property owners in the city of Anna Maria. City officials…
November 29, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Pier reunion

Pier closing leaves lasting impact

ANNA MARIA – The former employees of the restaurant and adjoining bait shop on the Anna Maria City Pier gathered Thanksgiving morning at the nearby Bayfront Park. The group of about 40 people also…
November 28, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Chuck Webb suspension

Webb facing Florida Bar suspension

HOLMES BEACH – Attorney Charles “Chuck” Webb is facing a 60-day suspension from his ability to practice law in Florida. On Oct. 10, Webb entered a conditional guilty plea for consent judgment with…
November 28, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez Bridge

Bridges to open less frequently

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Cortez and Manatee Avenue bridges are now to be opened twice an hour instead of three times an hour from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. The Coast Guard-approved changes to the drawbri…
November 21, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Paddle Wheel boat

Paddle wheeler to set sail soon

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Marina now has a bona fide 65-foot paddle wheeler in its fleet. “It’s a real paddle wheel boat. It’s propelled by the paddles. We just moved it 1,100 miles fr…
November 21, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Kaleta Settlement

Kaleta to receive $1 million settlement

ANNA MARIA – Developer Shawn Kaleta and his Beach to Bay construction company will receive a $1 million payment according to settlement terms negotiated to end a federal lawsuit filed against the cit…
November 19, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Aqua lawsuit

Beruff attorneys will co-defend Aqua lawsuit

BRADENTON – Aqua by the Bay developer Carlos Beruff has successfully intervened in a lawsuit against Manatee County that challenges the county commission’s recent approval of his development plans…
November 18, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
CNOBB dissolving

CNOBB coming to an end

BRADENTON BEACH – Despite voter approval of its three citizens initiatives on the November ballot, the Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach (CNOBB) is dissolving due to philosophical differences am…
November 18, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Christmas tree lighting

Christmas tree lighting and outdoor movie too

BRADENTON BEACH – On Saturday, Nov. 25, the Bridge Street Merchants will host its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The holiday celebration will take place on Bridge Street, in the vacant lot…
November 14, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
CNOBB amendments

Elections alter Bradenton Beach’s political landscape

BRADENTON BEACH – The Nov. 7 elections reshaped the Bradenton Beach City Commission and changed how future commission races will be run. City voters elected Vice Mayor John Chappie to serve as the…
November 14, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Veterans Day parade

Old Soldiers and Sailors parade honors vets

ANNA MARIA – The inaugural Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day parade delighted cheering crowds lining Pine Avenue on Friday, Nov. 10. A bagpiper and color guard led the parade down Pine Avenue…