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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 23, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Police chief named public works director

Police chief named public works director

BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief John Cosby is also now the city’s permanent public works director. Cosby previously served as the city’s temporary public works director since longtime director Tom…
September 23, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Sun archive installed at Historical Museum

Sun archive installed at Historical Museum

ANNA MARIA – The new Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper archive is now on permanent display at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum. The newspapers were preserved by longtime Sun reporter and copy…
September 16, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Pavers selected for Pine Avenue sidewalks

Pavers selected for Pine Avenue sidewalks

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have selected the specific type of pervious brick pavers to be used to install new side­walks along Pine Avenue. The first phase of the new brick paver sidewalks wi…
September 16, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
City pursuing drainage study funds

City pursuing drainage study funds

ANNA MARIA – City officials are pursuing a coastal resiliency grant to fund a study that identifies the best locations to install underground pumps and pipes to speed the removal of floodwaters from…
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…