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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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September 16, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Seymour and Short seek mayor’s job

Seymour, Short seek mayor’s job

ANNA MARIA – Brian Seymour and Mark Short both want to succeed Dan Murphy as Anna Maria’s next mayor, with the winner to be determined in the upcoming election. On Sept. 12, they participated in a ca…
September 10, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed Bradenton Beach budgets adopted

Proposed Bradenton Beach budgets adopted

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s proposed 2024-25 general fund and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) budgets are one step from final adoption. During the Sept. 5 budget hearings, the Bradenton Beach…
September 9, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez Village Marina requests denied

Cortez Village Marina requests denied

CORTEZ – Manatee County commissioners unanimously denied Cortez Village Marina’s request to expand current operations. The Chicago-based MHC Cortez Village LLC purchased the marina in 2024, one of…
September 9, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Water Quality Concerns

Water quality concerns persist

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Water quality concerns persist as the city of Bradenton continues to discharge partially-treated sewage into the Manatee River. During and immediately after Tropical Storm Debb…
September 9, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Employee workplace complaints ‘unsubstantiated’

Employee workplace complaints ‘unsubstantiated’

ANNA MARIA – After conducting an independent investigation, labor attorney Matthew Stefany said that a former employee’s allegations of workplace hostility and discriminatory behavior are unsubstanti…
September 3, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Pedicini clients fare poorly in primary election

Pedicini clients fare poorly in primary election

MANATEE COUNTY – Seven Manatee County candidates paid Anthony Pedicini’s Tampa-based Strategic Image Management (SIMWINS) political consulting firm a total of $526,508 in the recent primary election…
September 3, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Primary results certified, Satcher remains contentious

Primary results certified, Satcher remains contentious

MANATEE COUNTY – The 2024 primary election cycle is complete and the primary elections results are official. Now it’s on to the general election that concludes in November. Supervisor of Elections…
September 2, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Sewage discharge continues

Sewage discharge continues

BRADENTON – The Suncoast Waterkeeper organization continues to monitor ongoing sewage discharges and spills that have taken place in Bradenton since Tropical Storm Debby passed through the area in ea…
August 27, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Former employee alleges discrimination, hostile work environment

Former employee alleges discrimination, hostile work environment

ANNA MARIA – Former public works department employee Benzard Holland alleges he was subjected to a hostile work environment and discriminatory behavior at the city. During the Aug. 22 city commissio…
August 26, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Contract signed for Pine Avenue sidewalks

Contract signed for Pine Avenue sidewalks

ANNA MARIA – A signed contract is now in place for the installation of brick paver sidewalks along Pine Avenue, between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive, where no paved sidewalks currently exist…
August 26, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Primary voters produce change in leadership

Primary voters produce change in leadership

MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island voters helped determine the winners of three key Republican primary races that saw Tal Siddique, George Kruse and Scott Farrington emerge with victories on Aug. 20…
August 26, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Fired elections office employees speak out

Fired elections office employees speak out

MANATEE COUNTY – Interim Supervisor of Elections James Satcher fired one elections office employee as the primary election wound down and three more the following day. On the evening of Aug. 20, v…
August 20, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Mc Primary Results

Farrington, Kruse, Siddique win key primary races

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County’s Republican voters opted for change during today’s primary election. In doing so, the county’s registered Republican voters rejected the far right, hyper-partisan…
August 19, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Rolland wins skimboarding tournament

Rolland wins skimboarding tournament

CORTEZ – Slicker’s Eatery General Manager Brandon Rolland won his division while competing in the 42nd annual ZAP Pro-Am World Championship of Skimboarding. Rolland traveled to Dewey Beach, Delawa…
August 19, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Brian Blaine lived, loved until the end

Brian Blaine lived, loved until the end

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Former City Pier bait shop bartender Brian Blaine passed away on Aug. 4 at the age of 51. The Bradenton resident is survived by his significant other of nearly four years, Jill…