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Joe Hendricks

Joe Hendricks

February 11, 2017
Joe Hendricks 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 goverments. He also covers Island-related matters at the county and state levels.
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August 12, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Flooding main storm impact in Anna Maria

Flooding main storm impact in Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – Flooding and drainage were the primary issues in Anna Maria during and after Tropical Storm Debby. There was also some minor damage to the City Pier. On Aug. 8, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Mur…
August 5, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Commissioners propose larger tax cut

Commissioners propose larger tax cut

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy recently presented his $10.4 million proposed capital plan for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The plan was based on a proposed 1.75 tentative millage rate that would have low…
August 5, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Culbreath issues campaign letter

Culbreath issues campaign letter

MANATEE COUNTY – April Culbreath, the District 3 Manatee County Commission Republican primary candidate, did not respond to multiple interview requests made by The Sun, but on July 30, many Manatee C…
August 5, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Siddique discusses county commission campaign

Siddique discusses county commission campaign

MANATEE COUNTY – Tal Siddique is running against April Culbreath in the District 3 Manatee County Commission Republican primary race that will determine who faces Democratic candidate Diana Shoemaker…
August 1, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Elections office implementing Clear Ballot audit system

Elections office implementing Clear Ballot audit system

MANATEE COUNTY – The Supervisor of Elections Office will conduct post-election audits for all election contests, beginning with the upcoming primary election that concludes on Aug. 20. On July 25…
July 29, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Reimagining Pine Avenue bid selected

Reimagining Pine Avenue bid selected

ANNA MARIA – Longboat Key-based Eason Builders is the city of Anna Maria’s first choice to install new brick paver sidewalks and new crosswalks along Pine Avenue between Gulf Drive and North Shore Dr…
July 29, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Six candidates report SIMWINS expenditures

Six candidates report SIMWINS expenditures

MANATEE COUNTY – Three more Republican candidates seeking office in Manatee County have reported campaign expenditures made to Anthony Pedicini’s Tampa-based Strategic Image Management (SIMWINS) poli…
July 29, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton fisherman rescues injured motorist

Bradenton fisherman rescues injured motorist

ST. PETERSBURG – Bradenton resident Eric Astemborski’s swift actions and quick thinking helped save a motorist who crashed his car on I-275, north of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Astemborski, a com…
July 29, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria property owners getting tax break

Anna Maria property owners getting tax break

ANNA MARIA – City property owners will see their property taxes reduced in the coming year. On July 25, the Anna Maria City Commission voted 3-2 to adopt a tentative 1.65 millage rate for the comi…
July 27, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
County administrator seeks favor from mayor

County administrator seeks favor from mayor

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop put Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie in an awkward position when he sought the mayor’s assistance in shortening his anticipated wait ti…
July 22, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria budget preparations continue

Anna Maria budget preparations continue

ANNA MARIA – The fiscal year 2024-25 city budget being crafted by Mayor Dan Murphy and city com­missioners proposes $5.82 million in operating and general expenses during the new fiscal year that beg…
July 22, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach budgeting begins

Bradenton Beach budgeting begins

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials will maintain the current 2.3329 millage rate as part of the $4.85 million budget being prepared for the 2024-25 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The proposed budge…
July 18, 2024
By Joe Hendricks

Chiles Hospitality selling Sandbar, Beach House, Mar Vista

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Ed Chiles, the owner of Chiles Hospitality, is selling the Sandbar Seafood & Spirits restaurant in Anna Maria, the Beach House Waterfront Restaurant in Bradenton Beach and the…
July 16, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Mike LaPensee celebrated

Mike LaPensee celebrated

HOLMES BEACH – Mike LaPensee’s life was joyously celebrated at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach on Sunday, July 14. Mike passed away on June 22 at the age of 79. Standing near a table filled wi…
July 15, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Pedicini consulting for Satcher, Van Ostenbridge, Turner

Pedicini consulting for Satcher, Van Ostenbridge, Turner

MANATEE COUNTY – During a recent Supervisor of Elections debate, candidate James Satcher refused to acknowledge he’s us­ing Anthony Pedicini as his political consultant. Manatee County Commission…