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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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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…
February 10, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Chiles/Perry/Kaleta not-for-profit dissolved

Chiles/Perry/Kaleta not-for-profit dissolved

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton resident Rhea (Ashley) Chiles has dissolved the short-lived Together as Bradenton Beach Inc. not-for-profit corporation she formed in November with Bradenton Beach City At…
February 10, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Improved CRS rating increasing flood insurance discounts

Improved CRS rating increasing flood insurance discounts

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria prop­erty owners who carry flood insurance policies issued through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will receive an additional 5% discount effective Oct. 1. On…
February 10, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Inconsistent noise levels spark debate

Inconsistent noise levels spark debate

HOLMES BEACH – The daytime 50-decible noise limit restriction imposed on Jake Spooner’s pending Island Bazaar development remains a topic of debate at Holmes Beach City Hall. On Dec. 17, city commis…
February 3, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Gulf of Mexico referenced in new waterways ordinance

Gulf of Mexico referenced in new waterways ordinance

ANNA MARIA – On Jan. 23, Anna Maria City Commissioners adopted on second and final reading an ordinance the amends the city’s seawall regulations referencing the Gulf of Mexico. The ordinance was ad…
February 3, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Concerns raised about Waste Management’s performance

Concerns raised about Waste Management’s performance

ANNA MARIA – Residents and city officials are displeased with the level of trash and recycling collec­tion services being provided by Waste Management. When addressing city commissioners about vario…
February 3, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Darcie Duncan awarded Super Bowl tickets

Darcie Duncan awarded Super Bowl tickets

ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan’s hard work and good deeds have earned her two tickets to the Super Bowl. Featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the Phila­delphia Eagles, Super Bow…
January 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Chamber awards trolley grants, businesses of the year

AMI Chamber awards trolley grants, businesses of the year

HOLMES BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce awarded trolley grants to 18 local organiza­tions and announced three business of the year award winners during a ceremony at the Key Royale G…
January 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Diggins, DeRusso join Tourist Development Council

Diggins, DeRusso join Tourist Development Council

MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island once again has an elected city official serving on the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC). The last elected Island official to sit on the TDC was for…
January 27, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Community volunteers ‘Build Back the Beach’

Community volunteers ‘Build Back the Beach’

ANNA MARIA – More than 300 Build Back the Beach volunteers planted nearly 30,000 native plants along the hurricane-ravaged Anna Maria shoreline between Bean Point and Sycamore Avenue last weekend. L…