Skip to main content
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.
Email Joe Hendricks
April 8, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Treasured architectural designer passes away

Treasured architectural designer passes away

BRADENTON BEACH – Emily Anne Smith, the architectural designer who helped transform Bridge Street into what it is today, has passed away. According to close friend and longtime office administrator…
April 8, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Above-average hurricane season predicted

Above-average hurricane season predicted

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As residents continue to recover from 2024 Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Colorado State University (CSU) hurricane researchers are predicting an above-average 2025 Atlantic hurric…
April 7, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Drift-In reopening brings joy to many

Drift-In reopening brings joy to many

BRADENTON BEACH – The Drift-In bar is open again after a prolonged, post-hurricane permitting dispute with the city. The historic Bridge Street bar once owned by baseball legend Babe Ruth reopened o…
April 7, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Planning board supports Drift-In’s major development plan

Planning board supports Drift-In’s major development plan

BRADENTON BEACH – The Drift-In’s hurricane recovery-related major development plan now has the support of the city’s Planning and Zoning Board members. On April 2, board members Fred Bartizal, Bill…
April 7, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach ferry stops explored

Holmes Beach ferry stops explored

HOLMES BEACH – City and county officials hoped to use businessman Jake Spooner’s boat slip in the Wa­terline resort marina as a Gulf Islands Ferry stop, but the current county-owned pontoon boats are…
April 1, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Man arrested after driving Jeep into water

Man arrested after driving Jeep into water

HOLMES BEACH – Sarasota resident James Mikluscak was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly driving another man’s Jeep into the water near the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue. Accor…
March 31, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor addresses City Pier inspection costs

Mayor addresses City Pier inspection costs

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Pier hurricane damage inspection and report provided by Kisinger Campo & Associates cost the city $25,738. During the city commission’s March 27 meeting, Mayor M…
March 31, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Hurricane recovery reaches six-month mark

Hurricane recovery reaches six-month mark

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Six months ago this week, the Island was emerging from Hurricane Helene’s flooding a week earlier, and was a week away from being hit by Hurricane Milton. Helene’s storm surge on…
March 31, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
City leaders oppose property tax elimination

City leaders oppose property tax elimination

HOLMES BEACH – City officials are already paying attention to the possible elimination of property taxes proposed but not yet defined by Gov. Ron DeSantis and state legislators. Holmes Beach City Co…
March 25, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
‘Lights on Broadway’ inspire garden club flower show

‘Lights on Broadway’ inspire garden club flower show

ANNA MARIA – Inspired by Broadway musicals, Anna Maria Island Garden Club members displayed their floral arranging talents and creativity during the club’s annual flower show. Held in the Roser Memo…
March 25, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Mingo’s restaurant coming to Holmes Beach

Mingo’s restaurant coming to Holmes Beach

HOLMES BEACH – Three years ago, Ben Sato opened his gRub tropical barbeque restau­rant in Anna Maria. He now plans to open Mingo’s Rooftop Restau­rant and Sports Bar in Holmes Beach with his brother…
March 24, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Heritage Day celebrates historical museum’s recovery

Heritage Day celebrates historical museum’s recovery

ANNA MARIA – The annual Heritage Day Festival took on even greater significance this year because of the storm surge damage that the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum suffered during Hurricane Hele…
March 24, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach mayor responds to DOGE letter

Holmes Beach mayor responds to DOGE letter

HOLMES BEACH – Island leaders are under a deadline to respond to a letter they received this month from the new state DOGE task force, and the Holmes Beach mayor has already taken action. Gov. Ron D…
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…