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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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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…
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…