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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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April 15, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Reimagining Pine Avenue bid higher than expected

Reimagining Pine Avenue bid higher than expected

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy is among those disappointed with the $1.4 bid received from C-Squared to construct a one-block Reimagining Pine Avenue prototype area. On March 25, C-Squared submit­t…
April 15, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Commission receives proposed charter amendments

Commission receives proposed charter amendments

ANNA MARIA – Six potential charter amendments and an ad­ditional recommendation proposed by the charter review committee have been presented for city commission consideration. Charter Review Commi…
April 15, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
City to grandfather existing CBD, hemp sales

City to grandfather existing CBD, hemp sales

ANNA MARIA – Businesses in the city that currently sell CBD and hemp products will be allowed to continue doing so with a soon-to-be-adopted grandfathering exception. A city ordinance adopted in 2…
April 8, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Another Reimagining Pine Avenue decision looms

Another Reimagining Pine Avenue decision looms

ANNA MARIA – For the fourth time, commissioners will soon be asked to accept or reject a Reimagining Pine Avenue bid proposal submitted by the C-Squared construction company. On March 25, City Cle…
April 8, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Dietrich home demolished

Dietrich home demolished

ANNA MARIA – Like so many others on Anna Maria Island, the ground-level house at 101 Mangrove Ave. that long served as home to the late Jack and Betty Dietrich and their family has been demolished…
April 8, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Disputed, then approved beach home being built

Disputed, then approved beach home being built

ANNA MARIA – Construction is well underway on Fedora Campbell’s new beachfront home at 105 Elm Ave. Campell’s new home is being built in front of and seaward of the neighboring home at 107 Elm Ave…
April 8, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Marina clients face inclusion in canal lawsuit

Marina clients face inclusion in canal lawsuit

CORTEZ – Cortez Village Marina clients who use the privately-owned Hunters Point canal may soon be named as additional defendants in a 2022 canal dispute-related lawsuit. The Sun recently obtained…
April 1, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Commission struggling with CBD regulation

Commission struggling with CBD regulation

ANNA MARIA – Revising the city of Anna Maria’s CBD and hemp prohibitions is proving to be challenging for city officials. Anna Maria’s code of ordinances currently prohibits the sale of any produc…
April 1, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Commission promises to preserve parking spaces

Commission promises to preserve parking spaces

ANNA MARIA – City leaders have pledged not to eliminate parking places to accommodate the potential extension of the existing multi-use path along Gulf Drive. On March 28, the Anna Maria City Comm…
April 1, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier Park will soon be dog-friendly

City Pier Park will soon be dog-friendly

ANNA MARIA – Leashed dogs will soon be allowed in City Pier Park, including during some special events held in the park. The city of Anna Maria’s code of ordinances currently prohibits dogs and ot…
March 29, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Heritage Day features fun and fundraising

Heritage Day features fun and fundraising

ANNA MARIA – While celebrating Anna Maria Island’s historic past, the Anna Maria Island Historical Society’s annual Heritage Day celebration raised more than $3,000. Taking place from 10 a.m. to 2…
March 25, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Six charter amendments proposed

Six charter amendments proposed

ANNA MARIA –The Anna Maria Charter Review Committee is propos­ing six potential charter amendments for city commission consideration. The five-member volunteer com­mittee completed its comprehensi…
March 25, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Moose Lodge hosts kids’ Easter party

AMI Moose Lodge hosts kids’ Easter party

BRADENTON BEACH – Due to rainy weather, Saturday morning’s Easter egg hunt at the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge took place inside the lodge. The annual event usually features hundreds of brightly…
March 25, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Business owners oppose multi-use path extension

Business owners oppose multi-use path extension

ANNA MARIA – Some business owners are concerned about the city’s desire to extend the multi-use path along Gulf Drive that runs from the entrance of the city to Willow Avenue. They say that extend…
March 19, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria seeks to amend CBD prohibitions

Anna Maria seeks to amend CBD prohibitions

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria is trying to revise its current marijuana prohibitions in a manner that would allow CBD and hemp products to be legally sold in the city. The city’s code of ord…