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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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August 12, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Cities losing authority to regulate artificial turf lawns

Cities losing authority to regulate artificial turf lawns

HOLMES BEACH – The city’s ability to prohibit artificial turf in front lawns and require artificial turf permits will soon be eliminated by a new state law. The law was created by the Florida Legisl…
August 12, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Girl Scout’s project aids turtles, beachgoers

Girl Scout’s project aids turtles, beachgoers

HOLMES BEACH – Intended to reduce beach debris and assist sea turtle hatchlings, the new “beach toy borrow box” at the 68th Street beach access is the work of 16-year-old Girl Scout, Lakewood Ranch r…
August 12, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Two water-related deaths reported off Anna Maria

Two water-related deaths reported off Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – Two men died in separate water-related incidents off Anna Maria on Aug. 9, according to Sgt. Brett Getman, leader of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Anna Maria Unit. When con…
August 12, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach clarifying dock, mooring regulations

Holmes Beach clarifying dock, mooring regulations

HOLMES BEACH – Director of Development Services Chad Minor presented planning com­missioners with a draft version of a new docking and mooring ordinance to review during their Aug. 6 meeting. When p…
August 5, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air celebrates 40th anniversary

LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air celebrates 40th anniversary

HOLMES BEACH – LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air celebrated its 40th anniversary on Aug. 1. Speaking by phone the fol­lowing day from her summer home in Jasper, Georgia, semi-retired company presiden…
August 5, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Florida DOGE auditing Manatee County

Florida DOGE auditing Manatee County

MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Government Ef­ficiency (DOGE) is auditing Manatee County’s finances. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the audit during his July 24 visit to Bra­denton, during w…
August 5, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Elementary speed zone cameras installed

Anna Maria Elementary speed zone cameras installed

HOLMES BEACH – Prior to the start of the new school year on Monday, Aug. 11, new speed zone cameras have been installed near Anna Maria Elementary school. According to Police Chief Bill Tokajer, the…
August 5, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
New book revisits 1980 Kingfish boat ramp murders

New book revisits 1980 Kingfish boat ramp murders

HOLMES BEACH – On the 45th anniversary of the unsolved Kingfish Boat Ramp murders, Bradenton resident Alan Cross released his self-published non-fiction book, “Tales from the Island: The Kingfish Boa…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach officials decline to increase beach cabana regulations

Holmes Beach officials decline to increase beach cabana regulations

HOLMES BEACH – Concerns about advertising and logos placed on rented beach cabanas have been addressed to the mayor’s satisfaction and the city is not taking any additional steps to regulate cabana r…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited

Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited

ANNA MARIA – While discussing beach cabana rentals and other com­mercial activities occurring on public beaches, Mayor Mark Short said city code prohibits all commercial activity in beach areas that…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach millage rate increasing, stormwater fee remains same

Holmes Beach millage rate increasing, stormwater fee remains same

HOLMES BEACH – Divided and passionate about both critical funding decisions, city commis­sioners voted to increase the property tax millage rate and not increase the annual stormwater utility fee. T…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria millage rate maintained, stormwater fee increase proposed

Anna Maria millage rate maintained, stormwater fee increase proposed

ANNA MARIA – The mayor and city commissioners plan to maintain the current 1.65 property tax millage rate for the 2025-26 fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1 and they’re leaning toward increasing the a…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Motel demolished

Anna Maria Motel demolished

ANNA MARIA – The demolition of the old Anna Maria Motel at 808 North Bay Blvd. in Anna Maria began on July 21. Dan and Christine Horvat bought the motel in 2001 and bought a home in Anna Maria befor…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria postmaster retires

Anna Maria postmaster retires

ANNA MARIA – Friday, July 25 was Anna Maria Postmaster Sheila Brunger’s last day on the job. After 31 ½ years with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Brunger is retiring. After using her remaining vaca…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Waste Management proposes mandatory side-door service

Waste Management proposes mandatory side-door service

ANNA MARIA – As part of Waste Management’s ongoing efforts to obtain city commission approval to switch Anna Maria’s trash and recycling collection days from Mondays and Thursdays to Tuesdays and Fri…