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Joe Hendricks

Joe Hendricks

February 11, 2017
Joe Hendricks covers Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and beyond…
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January 6, 2026
By Joe Hendricks
Clean Water Committee ready for 2026

Clean Water Committee ready for 2026

HOLMES BEACH – The Holmes Beach-based Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee heads into 2026 riding a wave of positive momentum created in 2025. Working in unison with the city-funded Islanders 4 Clean Water…
January 2, 2026
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach couple completes 110th jigsaw puzzle

Holmes Beach couple complete 110th jigsaw puzzle

HOLMES BEACH – Fran and Wayne Derr started working on their 111th jigsaw puzzle on Sunday, Dec. 28. The Holmes Beach residents live in the Key Royale com­munity and they began doing jigsaw puzzles a…
January 1, 2026
By Joe Hendricks
Sun Persons of the Year

Sun Persons of the Year: The entire Anna Maria Island community

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – An often-cited proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In that same spirit, The Sun says, “It takes an entire Island to recover from back-to-back hurricanes.” For tha…
January 1, 2026
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach: The Year in Review

Holmes Beach: The Year in Review

HOLMES BEACH – The city of Holmes Beach celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025 and the Dec. 5 celebration at City Field was symbolic of the city’s return from the back-to-back hurricanes that struck…
December 31, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria: The Year in Review

Anna Maria: The Year in Review

ANNA MARIA – The reconstruction of the Anna Maria City Pier, the ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the short-lived Bean Point no-swim zone were among the top stories in Anna Mari…
December 23, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee Belle joins Gulf Islands Ferry fleet

Manatee Belle joins Gulf Islands Ferry fleet

HOLMES BEACH – The new, larger and partially enclosed Gulf Islands Ferry boat, the Manatee Belle, has arrived and is expected begin service in January. Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau…
December 23, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Renegades bring Christmas joy to three families

Renegades bring Christmas joy to three families

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton chapter of the Renegades motorcycle club delivered a truckload of Christmas gifts to the Drift In bar on Dec. 19. The Renegades brought Christmas joy to three local f…
December 23, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Dog owners, city officials to meet next month

Dog owners, city officials to meet next month

HOLMES BEACH – Frequent dog park users Renee Ferguson, Nicky Hunt and Tom Evans shared their park-related concerns and desires with the mayor and city commission­ers on Dec. 16. They did so during t…
December 22, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
December 17, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Moose Lodge hosts kids’ Christmas party

Moose Lodge hosts kids’ Christmas party

BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 hosted its annual children’s Christmas party on Dec. 13. More than 80 children were signed up in advance for the holiday event that started with…
December 17, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Blue Öyster Cult brings musical magic to The Center

Blue Öyster Cult brings musical magic to The Center

ANNA MARIA – Blue Öyster Cult put on a stellar and well-received outdoor concert at The Center of Anna Maria on Dec. 10. More than 50 years after they formed in Long Island, New York, the five-piece…
December 17, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Pine Avenue shines during Holiday Walk of Treasures

Pine Avenue shines during Holiday of Treasures Open House

ANNA MARIA – Pine Avenue was awash in holiday spirit during the Dec. 12 Holiday of Treasures Open House hosted by the Anna Maria business community, the city of Anna Maria and the Anna Maria Island H…
December 17, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Island business community loses beloved ambassador

Island business community loses beloved ambassador

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island business community lost a great friend and ambassador with the recent passing of Susanne Arbanas. According to close friends, she was discovered deceased at her apartm…
December 16, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria resident restores, donates Christmas bikes

Anna Maria resident restores, donates Christmas bikes

ANNA MARIA – Carl Augostini’s Christmas tradition is repairing and restoring donated bicycles to give to underprivileged youngsters. Augostini, a retired electrical engi­neer, spends many hours in t…
December 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks

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