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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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July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited

Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited

ANNA MARIA – While discussing beach cabana rentals and other com­mercial activities occurring on public beaches, Mayor Mark Short said city code prohibits all commercial activity in beach areas that…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach millage rate increasing, stormwater fee remains same

Holmes Beach millage rate increasing, stormwater fee remains same

HOLMES BEACH – Divided and passionate about both critical funding decisions, city commis­sioners voted to increase the property tax millage rate and not increase the annual stormwater utility fee. T…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria millage rate maintained, stormwater fee increase proposed

Anna Maria millage rate maintained, stormwater fee increase proposed

ANNA MARIA – The mayor and city commissioners plan to maintain the current 1.65 property tax millage rate for the 2025-26 fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1 and they’re leaning toward increasing the a…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Motel demolished

Anna Maria Motel demolished

ANNA MARIA – The demolition of the old Anna Maria Motel at 808 North Bay Blvd. in Anna Maria began on July 21. Dan and Christine Horvat bought the motel in 2001 and bought a home in Anna Maria befor…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria postmaster retires

Anna Maria postmaster retires

ANNA MARIA – Friday, July 25 was Anna Maria Postmaster Sheila Brunger’s last day on the job. After 31 ½ years with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Brunger is retiring. After using her remaining vaca…
July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Waste Management proposes mandatory side-door service

Waste Management proposes mandatory side-door service

ANNA MARIA – As part of Waste Management’s ongoing efforts to obtain city commission approval to switch Anna Maria’s trash and recycling collection days from Mondays and Thursdays to Tuesdays and Fri…
July 23, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach man accused of attempted murder

Holmes Beach man accused of attempted murder

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach resident Douglas Scott Naeher, 60, was arrested on felony charges of attempted murder and battery (domestic related) as a result of a July 20 incident involving him and hi…
July 21, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria questions property tax relief without proof of permits

Anna Maria questions property tax relief without proof of permits

ANNA MARIA – Fifty-one Anna Maria property owners recently received letters from the city regard­ing their efforts to receive hurricane-related property tax relief without applying for building permi…
July 15, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Commission considering changes to trash collection schedule

Commission considering changes to trash collection schedule

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners want to see improvements to Waste Management’s current side-door trash and recycling collection services while still considering the company’s request to switch Anna M…
July 15, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach considering millage increase

Holmes Beach considering millage increase

HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy Titsworth and city staff presented a proposed $23.7 million 2025-26 fiscal year city budget that’s currently based on increasing the current millage rate from 1.99 mills to…
July 11, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key

Tourist development tax revenues: May 2025

Manatee County’s 6% tourist development tax (resort tax) is collected from hotel, motel, resort, condo and other short-term vacation accommodations rented for six months or less. The amounts shown w…
July 8, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
AMI remembers Dale Woodland

AMI remembers Dale Woodland

ANNA MARIA – Former city commissioner and longtime Anna Maria resident Dale Woodland passed away on June 28 at the age of 76 due to complications caused by dementia. The family plans to host a memor…
July 7, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
DeSantis approves state funds for City Pier replacement

DeSantis approves state funds for City Pier replacement

ANNA MARIA – The city will receive a $1.25 million state appropriation that will assist in the replacement of the Anna Maria City Pier walkway that sustained significant damage during Hurricane Milto…
July 7, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor concerned about beach cabana rentals

Mayor concerned about beach cabana rentals

HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy Titsworth is concerned about beach cabana rental signage and cabanas being placed in prime beach locations before they’re rented. Titsworth shared these concerns during the…
July 7, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
WMFR vacation rental lawsuit victory stands

WMFR vacation rental lawsuit victory stands

BRADENTON – C&D Properties of AMI has not appealed a judge’s ruling in favor of the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District’s (WMFR) right to levy annual assessments on short-term vacation rental p…