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
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…
January 27, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria man saves distressed kayaker

Anna Maria man saves distressed kayaker

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria resident John Rice’s swift actions likely saved the life of a kayaker whose kayak sank in Tampa Bay. On Jan. 6 around 5 p.m., John and Tricia Rice were at their bayfront home…
January 27, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Gloria Dei church closes, property to be sold

Gloria Dei church closes, property to be sold

HOLMES BEACH – Gloria Dei Lutheran Church has closed and city officials hope to purchase the building and property if financially feasible. On Jan. 18, the church hosted a Holy Closure service as it…
January 25, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Expanded farmers market opens in Anna Maria

Expanded farmers market opens in Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – Featuring 28 vendors, the new Anna Maria Community Farmers Market enjoyed a successful opening day at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Jan. 14. Accompanied by sunshine and cool-to-mod…
January 25, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Kaleta seeks Tourist Development Council appointment

Kaleta seeks appointment to Tourist Development Council

MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island developer Shawn Kaleta is among the seven applicants seeking appointment to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC). Kaleta is one of four applicants…
January 21, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Letter prompts noise ordinance discussion

Letter prompts noise ordinance discussion

HOLMES BEACH – Written by Holmes Beach residents Dick and Margie Motzer, a letter to the editor that recently appeared in The Sun resulted in an impromptu Holmes Beach Planning Commission discussion…
January 21, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Planning commission will not review site plans

Planning commission will not review site plans

HOLMES BEACH – At the advice of City Attorney Erica Augello, city commissioners plan to deny the plan­ning commission’s request to conduct preliminary reviews of major site plan applications. Auge…