Skip to main content
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.
Email Joe Hendricks
February 19, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Craft fair prompts CBD sales discussion

Craft fair prompts CBD sales discussion

ANNA MARIA – Because she sells CBD products, Edibles N More owner Mel Wendel wasn’t allowed to partici­pate in the Feed the Island art and craft show at Roser Church on Feb. 9-10. Danielle Lynch o…
February 19, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental bill lagging in House of Representatives

Vacation rental bill lagging in House of Representatives

TALLAHASSEE – As part of the Florida Legislature’s efforts to preempt local vacation rental regulation to the state, House Bill 1537 has not yet passed through the House of Representative’s Commerce…
February 19, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Horseshoe pitching has long history in Anna Maria

Horseshoe pitching has long history in Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – Every Wednesday and Saturday, a few dozen men gather to pitch horseshoes in a small park located on the Anna Maria City Hall property. According to longtime horseshoe pitcher and form…
February 16, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Gulf Islands Ferries arrive in Bradenton Beach

Gulf Islands Ferries arrive in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – The Gulf Islands Ferries now make regular stops at the Bradenton Beach Pier on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. After departing from the Riverwalk Day Dock in downtown Bradenton o…
February 14, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Reimagining Pine Avenue discussions continue

Reimagining Pine Avenue discussions continue

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Commission authorized Mayor Dan Murphy to enter into a $1.41 million state-funded grant agreement for the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue project. On Feb. 8, the co…
February 5, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Planning board supports easement exchange

Planning board supports easement exchange

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Planning and Zoning Board recommends city commission approval of a request to vacate an existing utilities easement at 117 Peppertree Lane. The board-supported request to…
February 5, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Charter review begins in Anna Maria

Charter review begins in Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – The city’s Charter Review Committee has begun its review of the city charter. Recommended by Mayor Dan Murphy and approved by the city commission, the charter review committee consists…
February 5, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental bills advancing

Vacation rental bills advancing

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Legislature’s efforts to preempt vacation rental regulation to the state took a significant step forward when the Florida Senate passed Senate Bill 280 on Feb. 1. After pre…
January 29, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Tourist tax subsidizes Gulf Islands Ferry service

Tourist tax subsidizes Gulf Islands Ferry service

ANNA MARIA – After launching on Jan. 14, Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry service is now operating three days per week. The county contracts with Clearwater-based Gulf Coast Water Taxi LLC to ope…
January 29, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Morgan, McMullen join Anna Maria Commission

Morgan, McMullen join Anna Maria Commission

ANNA MARIA – Kathleen Morgan and Gary McMullen are the newest members of the city commission. On Jan. 25, commissioners Mark Short, Jon Crane and Charlie Salem appointed Morgan and McMullen to fill…
January 29, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Mom’s Café is a place to gather and learn

Mom’s Café: A place to gather and learn

ANNA MARIA – The newly formed Mom’s Café group provides moms of all ages a place to gather and share their motherhood experiences. The inaugural Mom’s Café gathering took place on Jan. 24 in the Fel…
January 29, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
An Artful Evening at the museum

An Artful Evening at the museum

ANNA MARIA – Local artists Barbara Truemper-Green, Judy Vazquez, Karen Beach and LuAnn Widergren enjoyed An Artful Evening at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum on Jan. 24. In addition to displ…
January 23, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Crime decreases in Anna Maria

Crime decreases in Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – Crime in the city of Anna Maria decreased overall by 18% in 2023 compared to 2022, according to Lt. John Belt from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. On Jan. 11, Belt provided the may…
January 22, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
A South African upbringing remembered

A South African upbringing remembered

ANNA MARIA – Roser Memorial Community Church Communications Director Bev Hunsberger spent most of her first 21 years living in South Africa. Hunsberger’s parents, Lewis and Virginia Wood, served a…
January 22, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Island cities decline to join financial disclosure lawsuit

Island cities decline to join financial disclosure lawsuit

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – A Florida law firm plans to file a lawsuit challenging the recently expanded Form 6 financial disclo­sure requirements that now also apply to elected city officials. Anna Maria…