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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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June 25, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor vetoes proposed charter amendment

Mayor vetoes proposed charter amendment

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy has vetoed an ordinance containing a proposed charter amendment that will now not be placed on the fall ballot unless the city commission overrides the veto by a 4-1 sup…
June 25, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental bill transmitted to DeSantis

Vacation rental bill transmitted to DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE – The fate of the Florida Legislature’s latest attempt to reserve the regulation of vacation rentals to the state lies in the hands of Gov. Ron DeSantis. On June 17, DeSantis received th…
June 17, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
County Commission approves third ferry

Commission approves third Gulf Island Ferry boat

MANATEE COUNTY – County commissioners have approved a $3 million budget amendment to fund the purchase of a third Gulf Island Ferry boat. On June 11, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Ex…
June 17, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Judge suspends Form 6 disclosure requirements

Judge suspends Form 6 disclosure requirements

FLORIDA – U.S. District Court Judge Melissa Damian has issued a temporary injunction that suspends the Form 6 financial disclosure requirements imposed on Florida mayors and city commission members e…
June 10, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
District 3 primary pits Siddique against Culbreath

District 3 primary pits Siddique against Culbreath

MANATEE COUNTY – The District 3 Manatee County Commission race reshaped by incumbent Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s switch to the District 7 at-large race sets up a Republican primary race betw…
June 10, 2024
By Joe Hendricks

Four candidates qualify in Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – The first week of Anna Maria’s two-week candidate qualifying period saw city commission chair Mark Short and former city commissioner Brian Seymour qualify to face each other in the race…
June 3, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor optimistic about vacation rental bill’s fate

Mayor optimistic about vacation rental bill’s fate

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy is growing increasingly confident that the Florida Legislature’s latest attempt to preempt vacation rental regulation to the state will once again fail. Proposed and su…
June 3, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Reimagining Pine Avenue one step at a time

Reimagining Pine Avenue one step at a time

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy has proposed a block-by-block approach to installing permeable brick paver sidewalks along Pine Avenue where meandering unpaved paths currently exist. New crosswalks wo…
June 3, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed charter amendments presented as ordinances

Proposed charter amendments presented as ordinances

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have been presented with separate ordinances containing ballot language and summary language for five proposed charter amendments. City Attorney Becky Vose presented…
June 3, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Van Ostenbridge switches races

Van Ostenbridge switches races

MANATEE COUNTY – Incumbent District 3 Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge announced he’s no longer seeking reelection in his current district. He will instead seek election to the Di…
May 28, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
CBD resolution finalized

CBD resolution finalized

ANNA MARIA – The city commission has adopted a resolution providing the sales and registration requirements allowing existing CBD and hemp sellers to continue those sales by acquiring city-approved g…
May 28, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor Murphy won’t seek re-election

Mayor Murphy won’t seek re-election

ANNA MARIA – Dan Murphy will not seek re-election to another two-year term as the city’s mayor. During the May 23 city commission meeting, Murphy announced he would not run again in the upcoming c…
May 21, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Safety the focus of National Safe Boating Week

Safety the focus of National Safe Boating Week

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – From May 18-24, National Safe Boating Week is a reminder about the importance of being a safe boater. Anna Maria resident David Haddox is a past commander of the Anna Maria Isl…
May 21, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Fences, visibility triangles, parking discussed

Fences, visibility triangles, parking discussed

ANNA MARIA – The Planning and Zoning Board is reviewing city regula­tions pertaining to fences located in street corner intersection visibility triangles and driveway intersection visibility triangle…
May 20, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Boat ramp being renamed in Moore’s honor

Boat ramp being renamed in Moore’s honor

MANATEE COUNTY – The Coquina North Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach will be renamed the Captain Scott Moore Boat Ramp in honor of longtime Holmes Beach resident and well-known fishing guide and charter c…