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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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February 13, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Senate Vacation Rental Bill

Vacation rental bill favored by second Senate committee

Watch the meeting here at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13. TALLAHASSEE – The vacation rental legislation now known as CS/SB 1400 has been further amended and reported favorable by the Florida Senate’s Regul…
February 11, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Driveway restoration concerns

Commission concerned about driveway damage, restoration

BRADENTON BEACH – A Feb. 8 commission discussion on bike and pedestrian improvements produced a parallel conversation about who might pay to restore driveways disturbed by Manatee County’s water and…
February 6, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Quinn helping raise funds for pier

ANNA MARIA – Resident Sissy Quinn is trying to raise $100,000 or more to help build a new city pier. Quinn has set up a GoFundMe page that is affiliated with her Anna Maria Island Preservation Tru…
February 6, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Darcie Duncan

Duncan named Manatee Chamber chair

MANATEE COUNTY – Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan is the new chair of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. The honor was bestowed on the Anna Maria businesswoman during a Chamber event at the Br…
February 6, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation Rental bills

Compromise sought on competing rental bills

TALLAHASSEE – An amended version of a vacation rental bill filed by Sen. Greg Steube (R-Sarasota) passed through its first Senate committee minus the amendments that Sen. David Simmons (R-Longwood) p…
January 30, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Happiest city

City sitting out ‘happiest town’ vote

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria will not be assisting in any “get out the vote” efforts regarding Anna Maria being named one of Coastal Living magazine’s Top 10 “America’s Happiest Seaside Towns…
January 30, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
AM Pier Firing

Plank removal leads to firings

ANNA MARIA – A family’s concerns about an engraved pier plank and a friend’s efforts to help cost two Anna Maria Public Works Department employees their jobs. Last week, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murph…
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…