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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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August 27, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Ross Built wins prestigious Southern Living award

Ross Built wins prestigious Southern Living award

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Bradenton-based Ross Built Custom Homes was featured in the August issue of Southern Living magazine as the winner of the 2025 Southern Living Custom Builder Program Member of the…
August 27, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Buddy Lee’s grave marker returned

Buddy Lee’s grave marker returned

BRADENTON BEACH – The hurricane-displaced grave marker for an infamous and beloved Bradenton Beach dog, Buddy Lee, was re­cently discovered on Egmont Key and returned to his former owner and “dog mom…
August 27, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Kapok tree removed due to weather impacts

Kapok tree removed due to weather impacts

ANNA MARIA – A massive kapok tree transported and trans­planted at a residential property in the 700 block of North Shore Drive in April 2024 was recently removed and replaced due the weather conditi…
August 26, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Haddox departs Planning and Zoning Board

Haddox departs Planning and Zoning Board

ANNA MARIA – Planning and Zon­ing Board Chairperson David Haddox vacated his advisory board seat after the board’s Aug. 20 meeting. Haddox and his wife, Marsha McAl­lister, sold their Anna Maria hom…
August 26, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria considers approving paid parking lot

Anna Maria considers approving paid parking lot

ANNA MARIA – There may soon be a new paid public parking lot in Anna Maria for beachgoers and other visitors. On Aug. 14, the Anna Maria Planning and Zoning Board voted 5-0 in favor of recommending…
August 25, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
General Store burglary suspect released on bond

General Store burglary suspect released on bond

ANNA MARIA – After being arrested on Aug. 18 for allegedly burglarizing the Anna Ma­ria General Store earlier that morning, 24-year-old former Holmes Beach resident Leonardo “Leo” Tilelli was release…
August 25, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Beach cabana rental rules may change

Beach cabana rental rules may change

ANNA MARIA – No final decisions have been made, but the mayor and commissioners are considering allowing beach cabana rentals in some public beach areas and not allowing them in others. Current city…
August 25, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor presents projected 2025-26 operating expenses

Mayor presents projected 2025-26 operating expenses

ANNA MARIA – On Aug. 14, Mayor Mark Short presented city commissioners with an overview of the city’s operating expenses projected in the city’s proposed 2025-26 fiscal year budget. The budget docum…
August 20, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Waste Management changes approved

Waste Management changes approved

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners unanimously approved Waste Management’s request to make side-door trash and recycling service mandatory for all residential properties effective immediately. When doi…
August 19, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Builders call for contracted building official’s dismissal

Builders call for contracted building official’s dismissal

ANNA MARIA – Mason Martin Builders and Agnelli Pools & Construction owner Frank Agnelli and other Anna Maria builders are calling for the city to replace contracted Building Official Craig Greene…
August 19, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Bean Point ‘no swim’ zone proposed

Bean Point ‘no swim’ zone proposed

ANNA MARIA – In response to rip current-related water rescues in the waters off Bean Point on Aug. 9 and Aug. 12, Mayor Mark Short proposed creating a no swim zone at the northern tip of Anna Maria I…
August 19, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
TDC supports $750,000 ferry funding request

TDC supports $750,000 ferry funding request

ANNA MARIA – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) recommends county commission approval to spend up to $750,000 in tourist development tax revenues for capital improvements for the co…
August 18, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria General Store burglary suspect arrested

Anna Maria General Store burglary suspect arrested

ANNA MARIA – Leonardo J. Tilelli, 24, was arrested on Monday morning and confessed to burglarizing the Anna Maria General Store, 503 Pine Ave. He was charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied st…
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…