Skip to main content
Joe Hendricks

Joe Hendricks

February 11, 2017
Joe Hendricks 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 goverments. He also covers Island-related matters at the county and state levels.
Email Joe Hendricks
March 24, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach to extend non-conforming structure permit deadline  

Holmes Beach to extend non-conforming structure permit deadline  

HOLMES BEACH – City staff proposes amending the city’s Land Development Code (LDC) to assist property owners whose non-conforming structures were damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Acc…
March 21, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
The birds are back in town

The birds are back in town

HOLMES BEACH – The parrots that live at the Sun and Surf Beach Shop, 5418 Marina Drive, are back at their familiar perch. On Oct. 7, two days before Hurricane Milton struck, the parrots were relocat…
March 19, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach assists Wildlife Inc.

Holmes Beach assists Wildlife Inc.

HOLMES BEACH – The city of Holmes Beach donated $5,000 to the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center Inc. to assist that non-profit organization’s ongoing hurricane recovery efforts. In Februa…
March 19, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Pine Avenue liquor store decision delayed

Pine Avenue liquor store decision delayed

ANNA MARIA – City commis­sion approval of a special use permit to operate a package liquor store at 501 Pine Ave. has been delayed for at least two weeks. Ryan Quigley and Jake Parsons hope to open…
March 19, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
E-bikes regulated like bicycles

E-bikes regulated like bicycles

Updated: 3/20/25 at 10:49 a.m. HOLMES BEACH – When discussing development-related transportation requirements dur­ing the March 13 city commission work session, Commissioner Dan Diggins asked if ele…
March 19, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor addresses building permit applications

Mayor addresses building permit applications

ANNA MARIA – The city has implemented a new process that helps address recent social media comments questioning its ability to review and issue hurricane-related building permits in a timely manner…
March 19, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Island Players commit ‘Death by Design’

Island Players commit ‘Death by Design’

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players’ production of Rob Urbinati’s “Death by Design” is an entertaining, comedic, ‘whodunit’ that features witty dialogue and unexpected plot twists dispensed by a talented…
March 18, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Commissioners support latest Key Royale parking proposal

Commissioners support latest Key Royale parking proposal

HOLMES BEACH – Parking along Key Royale Drive from Marina Drive to the bridge will not be limited to the north side of the street as previously discussed by city commissioners on Feb. 25. When discu…
March 18, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Report identifies cause of pier walkway failure

Report identifies cause of pier walkway failure

ANNA MARIA – The combined impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused the Anna Maria City Pier walkway to fail, according to an inspection report provided by the George F. Young engineering firm…
March 18, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
City staff praised for recovery efforts, flood insurance discounts

City staff praised for recovery efforts, flood insurance discounts

HOLMES BEACH – The city’s hurricane recovery efforts earned praise from FEMA representatives, and property owners will soon be eligible for 25% flood insurance discounts. Director of Development Ser…
March 13, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Heritage Day Festival will celebrate Island’s history

Heritage Day Festival will celebrate Island’s history

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Society will host its annual Heritage Day Festival on Tuesday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Heritage Day Festival is a free celebration of the hi…
March 13, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
St. Patrick's Day parade coming to Anna Maria Island

St. Patrick’s Day parade coming to Anna Maria Island

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island is going green during the Anna Maria Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 16 from 4-6 p.m. “Bring your family, your friends and your green to enjoy a fun-f…
March 11, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Seawall regulation revisions discussed

Seawall regulation revisions discussed

HOLMES BEACH – The efforts to revise the city’s seawall regulations remain a work in progress and seawall height allowances and the installation of adaptive seawalls are among the considerations bein…
March 10, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Alternative Key Royale parking solution proposed

Alternative Key Royale parking solution proposed

  HOLMES BEACH – City officials have come up with an alternative to prohibiting parking along the south side of Key Royale Drive between Marina Drive and the bridge. The alternative solution…
March 10, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues

BRADENTON – Featuring two new members and a new chairperson, the reconfigured Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) recently met for the first time this year. On Feb. 24, the council welc…