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
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…
February 24, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Greg Ross’s life celebrated

Greg Ross’s life celebrated

ANNA MARIA – Community members filled The Center of Anna Maria Island gymnasium on Feb. 22 to celebrate the life of Ross Built Custom Homes founder Greg Ross. Greg, 59, passed away unexpectedly at h…
February 24, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach eliminates ‘lookback’ for substantial improvements

Holmes Beach eliminates ‘lookback’ for substantial improvements

HOLMES BEACH – Property own­ers in the city are no longer subject to a one-year lookback requirement regarding the total cumulative cost of repairs, renovations or recon­struction made to their struc…
February 18, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
County commissioner addresses building permit delays

County commissioner addresses building permit delays

HOLMES BEACH – The Manatee County Development Services department has received more than 11,000 building permit applications in recent months, many of them hurricane-related. The ongoing delays in o…
February 17, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Former building official alleges pressure to condemn properties, threats

Former building official alleges pressure to condemn properties, threats

BRADENTON BEACH – For­mer city Building Official Darin Cushing alleges that he saw the city attorney and a well-known developer drive around the city together looking for hurricane-damaged structures…
February 17, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Morton resigns from Holmes Beach commission

Morton resigns from Holmes Beach commission

HOLMES BEACH – Longtime City Commissioner Pat Morton has resigned and recent city commission candidate and current Planning Commissioner Steve Oelfke is expected to serve in that role until the next…
February 15, 2025
By Joe Hendricks

Roque Pastorius remembered

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Former Monkey Bus owner/operator Roque Pastorius, 61, passed away during the early morning hours on Jan. 30. He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Kathy, their adult dau…