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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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March 19, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Gulf Islands Ferries now running five days a week

Gulf Islands Ferries now running five days a week

MANATEE COUNTY – The Gulf Islands Ferry service will expand service to five days a week beginning Wednesday, March 20. Featuring stops at the City Pier in Anna Maria, the Bradenton Beach Pier and…
March 18, 2024
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria responds to county consolidation option

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has responded to a March 5 request for information from OPPAGA regarding the potential consolidation and annexation of the city into Manatee County. The cities…
March 18, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Ellen Scott celebrated

Ellen Scott celebrated

BRADENTON BEACH – Family and friends joyously celebrated the life and legacy of longtime Braden­ton Beach resident and honorary Privateer Ellen Scott at the Drift In on Saturday, March 16. Ellen pass…
March 18, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria increasing vacation rental registration fees

Anna Maria increasing vacation rental registration fees

ANNA MARIA – The city is increasing its occupancy-based annual vacation rental registration fee from $84.17 to $93.92 per occupant allowed by the local vacation rental ordinance. The annual regist…
March 11, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Charter review produces potential amendments

Charter review produces potential amendments

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Charter Review Committee has nearly completed its review of the city charter and will soon recommend potential charter amendments to the city commission. The city chart…
March 11, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Ellen Scott was a local treasure

Ellen Scott was a local treasure

BRADENTON BEACH – Longtime Bradenton Beach and Pines Trailer Park resident Ellen Scott passed away at her home on Friday, March 1 at the age of 85. Ellen was born in Detroit, Michigan on Dec. 8, 1…
March 10, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental legislation awaits DeSantis’ decision

Vacation rental legislation awaits DeSantis’ decision

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis will decide the fate of proposed vacation rental legislation that seeks to preempt vacation rental regulation to the state. Supported by the Florida Senate and Hous…
March 5, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Garden Club named Distinguished Citizens of the Year

Garden Club named Distinguished Citizens of the Year

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Garden Club is the winner of the city’s Distinguished Citizens of the Year award. The club will receive its award during the March 14 city commission meeting that…
March 5, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Ferry service now includes Thursdays

Ferry service now includes Thursdays

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Gulf Islands Ferry service that features stops in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and downtown Bradenton now operates on Thursdays too, as of Thursday, Feb. 29. The ferries now ru…
March 4, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Pianist Rob Grant gets ‘Lost at Sea’

Pianist Rob Grant gets ‘Lost at Sea’

ANNA MARIA – Seventy-year-old pianist, composer and part-time Anna Maria resident Rob Grant released his debut album, “Lost at Sea,” in June and it went to number one on the United Kingdom’s Official…
February 27, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Charter review committee considering changes

Charter review committee considering changes

ANNA MARIA – During its second meeting, the Anna Maria Charter Review Committee discussed three potential amendments to the city charter. Similar to the state constitution, the 20-page Anna Maria ch…
February 27, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria legalizing sandwich board signs

Anna Maria legalizing sandwich board signs

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria is revising its sandwich board sign regulations. On Feb. 22, City Attorney Becky Vose presented on first reading a previously discussed ordinance that would all…
February 26, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Hemp, CBD regulations to be revisited

Hemp, CBD regulations to be revisited

ANNA MARIA – The mayor and city commission plan to review and potentially amend a city ordinance that prohibits the sale of hemp and CBD products. Hemp is a cannabis plant that contains 0.3% or le…
February 26, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental bills in jeopardy

Vacation rental bills in jeopardy

TALLAHASSEE – Two vacation rental bills working their way through the Florida Legislature are not yet identical matching bills and time is running out for them to be made identical before the 60-day…
February 19, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Form 6 lawsuits filed

Form 6 lawsuits filed

FLORIDA – The Weiss Serota law firm has filed two lawsuits challenging the Form 6 financial disclosure requirements now placed on all Florida mayors, city commissioners and city/town/village council…