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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 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…
August 12, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Two water-related deaths reported off Anna Maria

Two water-related deaths reported off Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – Two men died in separate water-related incidents off Anna Maria on Aug. 9, according to Sgt. Brett Getman, leader of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Anna Maria Unit. When con…
August 12, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach clarifying dock, mooring regulations

Holmes Beach clarifying dock, mooring regulations

HOLMES BEACH – Director of Development Services Chad Minor presented planning com­missioners with a draft version of a new docking and mooring ordinance to review during their Aug. 6 meeting. When p…
August 5, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air celebrates 40th anniversary

LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air celebrates 40th anniversary

HOLMES BEACH – LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air celebrated its 40th anniversary on Aug. 1. Speaking by phone the fol­lowing day from her summer home in Jasper, Georgia, semi-retired company presiden…
August 5, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Florida DOGE auditing Manatee County

Florida DOGE auditing Manatee County

MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Government Ef­ficiency (DOGE) is auditing Manatee County’s finances. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the audit during his July 24 visit to Bra­denton, during w…
August 5, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Elementary speed zone cameras installed

Anna Maria Elementary speed zone cameras installed

HOLMES BEACH – Prior to the start of the new school year on Monday, Aug. 11, new speed zone cameras have been installed near Anna Maria Elementary school. According to Police Chief Bill Tokajer, the…
August 5, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
New book revisits 1980 Kingfish boat ramp murders

New book revisits 1980 Kingfish boat ramp murders

HOLMES BEACH – On the 45th anniversary of the unsolved Kingfish Boat Ramp murders, Bradenton resident Alan Cross released his self-published non-fiction book, “Tales from the Island: The Kingfish Boa…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach officials decline to increase beach cabana regulations

Holmes Beach officials decline to increase beach cabana regulations

HOLMES BEACH – Concerns about advertising and logos placed on rented beach cabanas have been addressed to the mayor’s satisfaction and the city is not taking any additional steps to regulate cabana r…