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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.
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January 1, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Chris Culhane, The Center named Sun's Persons of the Year

Culhane, The Center named Sun Persons of the Year

ANNA MARIA – Executive Director Chris Culhane and the staff, board of directors and volunteers at The Center of Anna Maria Island are The Sun’s Persons of the Year for 2024. The Center staff inclu…
December 31, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Moose Lodge recovery plans taking shape

AMI Moose Lodge recovery plans taking shape

BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 sustained heavy damage during hurricanes Helene and Milton, but lodge administrator Byron Dalton and the lodge officers hope to reopen the social…
December 30, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria: Year in Review

Anna Maria: Year in Review

DEBRIS REMOVAL Mayor Dan Murphy, City Com­mission Chair Mark Short, General Manager Dean Jones and City Clerk LeAnne all played vital roles in the city of Anna Maria’s privately-contracted hurricane…
December 30, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
“Birthday Suite” up next for Island Players

“Birthday Suite” up next for Island Players

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players’ 76th season will soon resume with the performance of British playwright Robin Hawdon’s “Birthday Suite.” Directed by Island Players veteran Heiko Knipfelberg, “Bir…
December 23, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Special event permitting process amended

Special event permitting process amended

ANNA MARIA – The city has again amended its special event permitting require­ments. When doing so on Dec. 12, the mayor and city commission al­lowed two previously permitted events to proceed at a…
December 23, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Planning board members must be city residents

Planning board members must be city residents

ANNA MARIA – The three sitting members of the Anna Maria Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z) have rejected the idea of allowing non-residents to serve on the city advisory board. With the recent d…
December 23, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Ordinance prohibits sleeping in public places

Ordinance prohibits sleeping in public places

ANNA MARIA – The city has a new ordinance in place that prohibits sleeping and camping in public places. Adopted by the city commission on Dec. 12, Ordinance 24-937 brings the city into compliance…
December 23, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Minor course changes possible for city dock provisions

Minor course changes possible for city dock provisions

HOLMES BEACH – The Holmes Beach Planning Commission met on Dec. 4 for the first time since August, with all five members and both alternate members present. The planning commission consists of Cha…
December 23, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Ginny’s and Jane E’s reopens

Ginny’s and Jane E’s reopens

ANNA MARIA – Ginny’s and Jane E’s Café reopened on Dec. 18 at 7 a.m. The café and retail business had been closed since the pre-Hurricane Helene evacuations took place in late September. Paul and…
December 17, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Commission receives hurricane recovery update

Commission receives hurricane recovery update

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Mark Short and General Manager Dean Jones recently provided city commissioners with a hurricane recovery update. Given during the Dec. 12 Anna Maria City Commission meeting, the u…
December 17, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Christmas bikes an annual labor of love

Christmas bikes an annual labor of love

ANNA MARIA – Each year, Anna Maria resident Carl Augostini restores discarded bikes and donates them to a Sara­sota church to give away during the Christmas holiday. This year, Augostini restored…
December 17, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
FEMA funds may be available to elevate homes

FEMA funds may be available to elevate homes

ANNA MARIA – FEMA financial assistance may be available to Anna Maria Island homeowners who wish to elevate their ground-level homes to avoid future flooding. Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short made this…
December 17, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Sheriff’s office recognizes former mayor Murphy

Sheriff’s office recognizes former mayor Murphy

ANNA MARIA – Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells and other members of the sheriff’s office expressed their appreciation for former Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and his 10 years in office. During the…
December 16, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Temporary post office now a full-service facility

Temporary post office now offers full service

ANNA MARIA – Operating inside a large trailer parked at City Pier Park, the temporary Anna Maria Post Office is now operating as a full-service postal facility. Anna Maria Postmaster Sheila Brunger…
December 16, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria ‘Rings in the Recovery’

Anna Maria ‘Rings in the Recovery’

ANNA MARIA – The first of two city-sponsored “Ring in the Recovery” events drew residents and visitors to Pine Avenue on Saturday afternoon. A second “Ring in the Recovery” event is scheduled on S…