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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 18, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Commissioners support latest Key Royale parking proposal

Commissioners support latest Key Royale parking proposal

HOLMES BEACH – Parking along Key Royale Drive from Marina Drive to the bridge will not be limited to the north side of the street as previously discussed by city commissioners on Feb. 25. When discu…
March 18, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Report identifies cause of pier walkway failure

Report identifies cause of pier walkway failure

ANNA MARIA – The combined impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused the Anna Maria City Pier walkway to fail, according to an inspection report provided by the George F. Young engineering firm…
March 18, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
City staff praised for recovery efforts, flood insurance discounts

City staff praised for recovery efforts, flood insurance discounts

HOLMES BEACH – The city’s hurricane recovery efforts earned praise from FEMA representatives, and property owners will soon be eligible for 25% flood insurance discounts. Director of Development Ser…
March 13, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Heritage Day Festival will celebrate Island’s history

Heritage Day Festival will celebrate Island’s history

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Society will host its annual Heritage Day Festival on Tuesday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Heritage Day Festival is a free celebration of the hi…
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…