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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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September 26, 2017
By Joe Hendricks

Local couple survives Irma’s worst

BRADENTON BEACH – Chase Purtill and Shawn Wall returned to work last week at the Drift In after a harrowing vacation experience in St. John, where Hurricane Irma rampaged the island with Category 5 f…
September 26, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Bill Herlihy

Business owner protests anthem protests

BRADENTON BEACH – Island Time and Bridge Street Bistro co-owner Bill Herlihy is taking a stand against athletes who refuse to stand for the national anthem. The increasingly utilized form of expre…
September 26, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria City Pier

Anna Maria City Pier to remain closed

Updated Sept. 26, 2017 ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Pier will be closed for at least a year due to damage inflicted by Hurricane Irma. On Sept. 20, Mayor Dan Murphy received a structural asse…
September 19, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Irma 090817 1100

What I learned from Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma was a teachable moment for those who had never experienced a major hurricane and for those who had. My wife, Amy, and I experienced hurricanes Charley, Ivan, Jeanne and Wilma while…
September 19, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria City Pier post-Irma

Landmark City Pier shredded

ANNA MARIA – The historic Anna Maria City Pier and its restaurant will remain closed until further notice due to significant damage inflicted by Hurricane Irma. In addition to the roof being torn…
September 15, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez Bridge post Irma

Irma forces Island residents to flee

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Before Hurricane Irma arrived with predictions of Category 4 or 5 force winds, many Anna Maria Island residents evacuated to safer locales. Some headed to hotels and homes in B…
September 13, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Pier post-Irma

Island escapes Irma-geddon

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Hurricane Irma passed over the Island Sunday afternoon and early Monday morning and left in its wake varied degrees of damage, including ripped up roofs and structures, toppled tr…
September 6, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Hurricane Harvey Nate Weissman

Hurricane Harvey rescue trip a taxing ordeal

BRADENTON – Bradenton resident and full-time local charter captain Nate Weissman was among those who traveled from Cortez to Texas last week to assist with the hurricane relief efforts in Texas. O…
September 6, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Island Time Never Forget

Island Time salutes first responders

BRADENTON BEACH – Island Time Bar and Grill and the Bridge Street Bistro host their seventh annual Never Forget 9/11 fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 9 from noon until 4 p.m. Proceeds from the annual fu…
September 6, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Hurricane supplies

Restaurants, charter captains provide hurricane relief

CORTEZ – Last week the Swordfish Grill parking lot became the Cortez staging area for relief efforts to assist Texans impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The management and employees of Ed Chiles’ Sandb…
September 4, 2017
By Joe Hendricks

Five qualify in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – When qualifying ended at noon on Friday, Sept. 1, five candidates qualified to run in the city election that will conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Mayor Bill Shearon and Vice Mayor J…
August 30, 2017
By Joe Hendricks

Sunshine lawsuit prompts more resignations

BRADENTON BEACH – Three more defendants named in a Sunshine Law lawsuit have resigned from their city board or committee positions. On Wednesday, Aug. 23, Planning and Zoning Board member John Met…
August 25, 2017
By Joe Hendricks

Four qualify in Anna Maria election

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria’s two-week period to qualify for the city election ended at noon Friday and four candidates will run in the city elections this fall. Carol Carter, Doug Copeland, Laurie Jo…
August 24, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Confederate memorial toppling

Confederate monument damaged in move

BRADENTON – The Confederate memorial monument in front of the Manatee County Historic Courthouse was damaged when it was removed Thursday morning. Before county commissioners recessed for lunch du…
August 23, 2017
By Joe Hendricks
Aqua model

Aqua by the Bay on life support

BRADENTON – Carlos Beruff’s Aqua by the Bay development plans were on the verge of collapsing Wednesday evening when Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore suggested the vote be delayed and the m…