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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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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…
March 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Island Players investigate ‘Death by Design’

Island Players investigate ‘Death by Design’

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players are bringing to life the British murder mystery, “Death by Design.” Opening night is Thursday, March 13 and the final performance will be given on Sunday, March 30…
March 4, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Historical Museum reopens soon

AMI Historical Museum reopens soon

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Museum hosted a soft reopening celebration on Feb. 25 that highlighted the museum’s ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Inside the museu…
March 3, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Garden club hosts ‘Flower Power’ fashion show

Garden club hosts ‘Flower Power’ fashion show

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Garden Club hosted its annual luncheon and fashion show at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Feb. 26. Attended by nearly 300 people, this year’s theme was “Flower…
March 3, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
City officials seek funding for pier repairs

City officials seek funding for pier repairs

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Mark Short estimates it will cost approximately $8 million to repair the damage that Hurricane Milton inflicted on the City Pier in 2024. During the Feb. 27 Anna Maria City Commis…
March 3, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
DeSantis’ DOGE task force may impact Island governments

DeSantis’ DOGE task force may impact Island governments

HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Island cities could be affected by the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) task force that Gov. Ron DeSantis created by executive order on Feb. 24. A press relea…
March 3, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Key Royale Drive parking restriction proposed

Key Royale Drive parking restriction proposed

HOLMES BEACH – Parking along Key Royale Drive between Marina Drive and the bridge may soon be restricted to the north side of the street. Holmes Beach city commissioners discussed the proposed parki…
March 3, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Steve Oelfke joins Holmes Beach Commission

Steve Oelfke joins Holmes Beach Commission

HOLMES BEACH – Former city commission candidate and planning commissioner Steve Oelfke has been appointed to fill the remainder of Pat Morton’s two-year term that expires in November. After 22 years…
March 3, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
County exploring Anna Maria ferry landing options

County exploring Anna Maria ferry landing options

ANNA MARIA – Manatee County officials are developing scenarios to install a permanent, county-funded landing between the Anna Maria City Pier and the Lake La Vista jetty for the Gulf Islands Ferry…
February 26, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
State law prohibits renting, selling self-repaired homes for one year

State law prohibits renting, selling self-repaired homes for one year

HOLMES BEACH – Duplex owner David Phillips was shocked to learn that if he pulls the permits to repair his hurricane-damaged structure himself, he can’t rent it out or sell it for one year. Phillips…
February 26, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental registration fees increased

Vacation rental registration fees increased

ANNA MARIA – The City Com­mission unanimously established the occupancy-based annual vacation rental registration fees that take effect on April 1 and remain in place through March 31, 2026. Adopted…
February 24, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Duncan Real Estate, Murphy named Citizens of the Year

Duncan Real Estate, Murphy named Citizens of the Year

ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate and former mayor Dan Murphy are the city of Anna Maria’s Distinguished Citizens of the Year for 2024. Murphy and Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan received the a…