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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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December 22, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Bright Holiday Lights winners announced

Bright Holiday Lights winners announced

ANNA MARIA – The city’s Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest produced a repeat winner and a first-time winner. For the second year in a row, Andrea and Jim Stepan won the residential category…
December 18, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Moose Lodge hosts Christmas party

AMI Moose Lodge hosts Christmas party

BRADENTON BEACH – Santa Claus paid a Saturday morning visit to the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge. Joined by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer during his Dec. 16 visit, Santa posed for photos and hand…
December 18, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria resident provides Christmas bikes

Anna Maria resident provides Christmas bikes

ANNA MARIA – During each Christmas season, Anna Maria resident Carl Augostini, 85, provides bikes for underprivileged children and adults in need. “This year, I did a total of 36 bikes – a new rec…
December 18, 2023
By Joe Hendricks

Kingan departs Anna Maria commission

ANNA MARIA – City Commis­sioner Robert Kingan has vacated his city commission seat. On Dec. 7, Kingan participated in his final Anna Maria City Commission meeting, ending the two-year term he was…
December 18, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria responds to OPPAGA request

Anna Maria responds to OPPAGA request

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria submitted a 19-page response to the consolidation study-related request for information letter received from the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Gove…
December 18, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Storm, high tides flood AMI

Storm, high tides flood AMI

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Heavy rains, high tides and storm surge produced localized flooding throughout Anna Maria Island Saturday night and Sunday morning. Shortly after 11 p.m., ABC 7 Chief Meteorolo…
December 13, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Six applicants seek two commission seats

Six applicants seek two commission seats

ANNA MARIA – With six applicants already seeking to fill two vacant city commission seats, the application period remains open until Friday, Dec. 15. John Kolojeski recently became the sixth applica…
December 11, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Gulf Island Ferry service delayed

Gulf Island Ferry service delayed

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County hoped to launch its Gulf Island Ferry service on Dec. 8, but the anticipated launch date has been pushed back. When speaking to The Sun on Dec. 6, Bradenton Area Co…
December 10, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
German brewer buys Rod & Reel Pier

German brewer buys Rod & Reel Pier

ANNA MARIA – German brewer and restaurateur Oliver “Oli” Lemke is the new owner of the iconic Rod & Reel Pier and restaurant in Anna Maria. German businessman Mario Schoenfelder bought the Rod…
December 5, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Home mail delivery not an option in Anna Maria

Home mail delivery not an option in Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria is the only city on Anna Maria Island that doesn’t have home and business mail delivery and folks in Anna Maria’s 34216 zip code seem to like it that way. Anna Maria re…
November 28, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Paving and pavement marking contracts approved

Paving, street marking contracts approved

HOLMES BEACH – City commissioners recently approved a contract with Superior Asphalt to mill and resurface various streets and roads throughout the city. The total cost of the work approved on Nov…
November 28, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Aquatic harvester purchase still pending

Aquatic harvester purchase pending

HOLMES BEACH – The city commission has delayed the previously authorized purchase of an aquatic harvester that would remove floating algae, seagrass and dead marine life from residential canals and S…
November 28, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor proposes Reimagining Pine Avenue test corridor

Mayor proposes Reimagining Pine Avenue test corridor

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy proposes creating a one-block Reimagining Pine Avenue test corridor along Pine Avenue, between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive. Murphy presented his one-block prototyp…
November 28, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach amending sign ordinance

Holmes Beach amending sign ordinance to protect free speech

HOLMES BEACH – The city is amending its sign ordinance to ensure compliance with a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that protects free speech, specifically, words on signs. The City Commission on firs…
November 20, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Gulf Island Ferries take inaugural cruise

Gulf Island Ferries take inaugural cruise

MANATEE COUNTY – Elected officials, invited guests and media members took a cruise on the Gulf Island Ferries on Monday afternoon. The county-funded ferries are expected to begin service on Friday…