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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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December 17, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
FEMA funds may be available to elevate homes

FEMA funds may be available to elevate homes

ANNA MARIA – FEMA financial assistance may be available to Anna Maria Island homeowners who wish to elevate their ground-level homes to avoid future flooding. Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short made this…
December 17, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Sheriff’s office recognizes former mayor Murphy

Sheriff’s office recognizes former mayor Murphy

ANNA MARIA – Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells and other members of the sheriff’s office expressed their appreciation for former Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and his 10 years in office. During the…
December 16, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Temporary post office now a full-service facility

Temporary post office now offers full service

ANNA MARIA – Operating inside a large trailer parked at City Pier Park, the temporary Anna Maria Post Office is now operating as a full-service postal facility. Anna Maria Postmaster Sheila Brunger…
December 16, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria ‘Rings in the Recovery’

Anna Maria ‘Rings in the Recovery’

ANNA MARIA – The first of two city-sponsored “Ring in the Recovery” events drew residents and visitors to Pine Avenue on Saturday afternoon. A second “Ring in the Recovery” event is scheduled on S…
December 16, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Moose lodges host Christmas party for kids

Moose lodges host Christmas party for kids

BRADENTON – Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 and Bradenton Moose Lodge #1223 teamed up to bring holiday joy to area children on Dec. 14. As was the case with the AMI lodge’s annual kid’s Hallowee…
December 9, 2024
By Joe Hendricks

Solid Rock Construction finishes on top

ANNA MARIA – After nine weeks of regular season play, the fall adult co-ed soccer league heads into the “play-in” games to determine which eight teams will make the playoffs. With 10 teams in this se…
December 9, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Lester Family Fun Day celebrated at The Center

Lester Family Fun Day celebrated at The Center

ANNA MARIA – Lester Family Fun Day included a visit from Santa, pony rides, goat-petting, inflatables, musical performances, a DJ, a dance contest, raffles, a snow machine, a 25-cent menu and a helic…
December 9, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Privateers providing Christmas for family in need

Privateers providing Christmas for family in need

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Due to ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ annual Christmas parade has been canceled. But each year, the Privateers also assist at least one l…
December 9, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
‘Love Shack’ cottage owner staves off condemnation

‘Love Shack’ cottage owner staves off condemnation

BRADENTON BEACH – Another Bradenton Beach homeowner has successfully fought the city’s condemna­tion of his hurricane-damaged home. In November, Bradenton Beach resident Gash Caudill got the conde…
December 3, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Island community gives thanks together

Island community gives thanks together

ANNA MARIA – Approximately 400 free Thanksgiving meals were served during the “Let’s Give Thanks Together” community gathering held at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Thanksgiving Day. Duncan R…
December 2, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal

Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal

BRADENTON BEACH – Ohio residents and childhood friends Dick Kuhlman and Nancy Schrier, both in their early 80s, are thankful they survived the Hurricane Helene storm surge that destroyed Kuhlman’s be…
December 2, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Stimart family launches Build Back the Beach project

Stimart family launches Build Back the Beach project

ANNA MARIA – Homeowners Cindy and Tryn Stimart are leading the Build Back the Beach community impact project that plans to replace the native beachfront plants and grasses destroyed by Hurricanes Hel…
December 2, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Sewage discharges continue in Bradenton

Sewage discharges continue in Bradenton

BRADENTON – At a time when red tide levels recently increased in Anna Maria Island waters and a Bradenton man recently lost his leg to flesh eating bacteria (vibrio vulnificus) after wade fishing in…
November 26, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Additional signs allowed for hurricane-impacted businesses

Additional signs allowed for hurricane-impacted businesses

ANNA MARIA – As part of the ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, Anna Maria commissioners are allow­ing business and restaurant owners to use one additional A-frame sandwich board sign and one promoti…
November 25, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier engineering services approved

City Pier engineering services approved

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have approved a $347,660 contract for the engineering and other preliminary services needed to repair the hurri­cane-damaged City Pier. On Nov. 19, the commission u…