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
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…
November 25, 2024
By Joe Hendricks

Kaleta seeks plea agreement for DUI arrest

BRADENTON – In response to a driving under the influence (DUI) arrest in 2023, local developer Shawn Kaleta has entered into a Driver Enhanced Treatment Education Rehabilitation (DETER) program contr…
November 25, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria honors Dan Murphy

Anna Maria honors Dan Murphy

ANNA MARIA – Newly-elected Mayor Mark Short presided over an emo­tional farewell ceremony for longtime Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy. Due to a health issue, Murphy did not attend the ceremony that o…
November 23, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County Sheriff's Office

Repeat offender arrested for vacation rental trespassing

ANNA MARIA – Devon Keith Guidry, 28, of Bradenton, was arrested on Nov. 11 after being observed entering a residence at 107 Maple Ave. in Anna Maria. According to a press release issued by the Man…
November 23, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Rock ‘N’ Support grant application period opens

Rock ‘N’ Support grant application period opens

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The application period for hospitality and tourism industry employees seeking $250-$500 hurricane relief grants opened on Nov. 14. On Nov. 13, The Center of Anna Maria Island r…
November 23, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Hurricane damage prompts commissioner’s resignation

Hurricane damage prompts commissioner’s resignation

ANNA MARIA – Jon Crane has resigned from the Anna Maria City Commission. He announced his resignation during the city commission’s Nov.14 hurricane recovery-related emergency meeting. “ ‘I come he…
November 20, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support

Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support

PALMETTO – Lynyrd Skynyrd honored and celebrated their southern rock legacy and their deceased band members while barnstorming the Bradenton Area Convention Center on Friday night as part of the Rock…
November 20, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Damage assessments completed in Holmes Beach

Damage assessments completed in Holmes Beach

HOLMES BEACH – The hurricane-related substantial damage assessments have been completed in Holmes Beach and the debris removal efforts continue. On Nov. 15, Superintendent of Public Works and City…
November 20, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton man loses leg to flesh-eating bacteria

Bradenton man loses leg to flesh-eating bacteria

BRADENTON – A 66-year-old Braden­ton resident had his leg amputated on Nov. 11 after coming in contact with flesh-eating bacteria (vibrio vulnificus) at a time when confirmed vibrio vulnificus cases…
November 20, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
‘Let’s Give Thanks Together’ reservations available

‘Let’s Give Thanks Together’ reservations available

ANNA MARIA – The people of Anna Maria Island, Cortez and the surrounding communities will come together on Thanksgiving Day for a celebration of gratitude, hope and community connection. The Let’s…
November 20, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
TDC discusses post-hurricane marketing

TDC discusses post-hurricane marketing

MANATEE COUNTY – The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) is engaged in post-hurricane marketing to help bring tourists back to Anna Maria Island. BACVB Executive Director Elliott…
November 9, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Kaleta solicits post-hurricane development investors

Kaleta solicits post-hurricane development investors

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – At a time when some Anna Maria Island property owners are trying to save their hurricane-damaged homes, developer Shawn Kaleta is seeking investors to help him redevelop Anna Mari…