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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 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach officials discuss SB 180

Holmes Beach officials discuss SB 180

HOLMES BEACH – City officials are taking a wait and see approach to joining a yet to be filed lawsuit that will challenge a new state law that significantly re­stricts Florida cities and counties’ ab…
September 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Bowling fun raises funds for The Center

Bowling fun raises funds for The Center

BRADENTON – The Greg LaPensee Bowling Tourna­ment at Bowlero in Bradenton on Sept. 6 was a fun-filled community event that raised funds for The Center of Anna Maria Island. Holmes Beach-based LaPens…
September 3, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
No swim zone implemented after Bean Point drowning

No swim zone implemented after Bean Point drowning

ANNA MARIA – Swimming is now prohibited at Bean Point in Anna Maria. Implemented on Tuesday, Sept. 2, the Bean Point no swim zone extends around Bean Point from the Fern Street beach access to the b…
September 2, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria increases stormwater fees

Anna Maria increases stormwater fees

ANNA MARIA – Property owners in the city will see their annual stormwater fees double from $2 per 100 square feet of property to $4 per 100 square feet. On Aug. 28, city commissioners Chris Arendt…
September 2, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach commissioner proposes paid beach parking

Holmes Beach commissioner proposes paid beach parking

HOLMES BEACH – City commissioner Dan Diggins suggested implementing paid parking within a quarter mile of the city-controlled public beach access points located at numerous street ends throughout the…
September 1, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Search continues for missing Bean Point swimmer

Body of missing Bean Point swimmer believed to have been recovered

STORY UPDATED: 2 p.m., Sept. 1 ANNA MARIA – A body has been recovered that is believed to be the swimmer who went missing Sunday evening while swimming off Bean Point in Anna Maria. A press rel…
September 1, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Island candidates qualify for fall election cycle

Island candidates qualify for fall election cycle

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The qualifying period for city commission and mayoral candidates on Anna Maria Island ended on Aug. 29 at noon and there will be only one contested city commission race in the upc…
September 1, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Island mayors receive OPPAGA study-related letter

Island mayors receive OPPAGA study-related letter

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On Aug. 28, the three Anna Maria Island mayors received an OPPAGA-related letter from State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) and State Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton). Addressed…
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…