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Joe Hendricks

Joe Hendricks

February 11, 2017
Joe Hendricks 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 goverments. He also covers Island-related matters at the county and state levels.
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July 17, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
County water taxis arrive

County water taxis arrive

ANNA MARIA – Manatee County’s two newly-built water taxis have arrived and negotiations continue between the county and the city of Anna Maria regarding the City Pier being used as a water taxi stop…
July 17, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
City hopes to incentivize permanent residents

City hopes to incentivize permanent residents

ANNA MARIA – City officials are exploring the possibility of using grants and other incentives to attract and retain full-time residents. City Commissioner Charlie Salem first proposed the idea du…
July 11, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Marina appeals Hunters Point dock ruling

Marina appeals Hunters Point dock ruling

CORTEZ – The Cortez Village Marina ownership group is appealing a recent Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) governing board ruling that permits the construction of 49 residential do…
July 11, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Pat Copeland’s life and legacy celebrated

Pat Copeland’s life, legacy celebrated

ANNA MARIA – Pat Copeland’s celebration of life included family, friends, co-workers, tears, laughter, music, poetry and a New Orleans-style second-line march down Pine Avenue. Pat passed away on…
July 3, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Moose lodge wins another Premier Lodge Award

AMI Moose Lodge wins another Premier Lodge Award

BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 has won a Premier Lodge Award for a second consecutive year. The honor was bestowed upon the AMI lodge and several other qualifying lodges n…
July 3, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
New state law impacts local ordinances

New state law impacts local ordinances

ANNA MARIA – Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation that makes it more challenging for Florida cities and counties to adopt local ordinances. On June 29, DeSantis signed into law legislation the…
July 3, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
State restricts local land use regulations

State restricts local land use regulations

ANNA MARIA – The three city governments on Anna Maria Island are among the Florida cities now temporarily prohibited from adopting comprehensive plan or land development code amendments that are more…
June 29, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Coquina Beach parking lot improvements nearly complete

Coquina Beach parking lot improvements nearly complete

BRADENTON BEACH – Almost the entire Coquina Beach parking lot is now available to beachgoers, including those visiting the beach during the extended Fourth of July weekend. The second phase of Man…
June 29, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Racing boat visiting Drift In

Racing boat visiting Drift In

BRADENTON BEACH – One of the offshore racing boats participating in the 39th Annual Sarasota Grand Prix powerboat races will make a post-race appearance at the Drift In in Braden­ton Beach on Monday…
June 26, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Incentives proposed for permanent Anna Maria residents

Incentives proposed for permanent Anna Maria residents

ANNA MARIA – The city’s 2023-24 fiscal year budget may include a feasibility study aimed at attracting and retaining permanent residents through property tax breaks and building code incentives. O…
June 24, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Protestors oppose beach parking garage

Protestors oppose beach parking garage

BRADENTON – More than 50 concerned citizens and city officials gathered on Friday to protest Manatee County’s plans to build a 1,500-space, three-story parking garage at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach…
June 19, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Pat Copeland, an Island treasure

Pat Copeland, an Island treasure

ANNA MARIA – Beloved Anna Maria resident, newspaper reporter and Island historian Pat Copeland passed away on Tues­day, June 13, at the age of 76. She passed away at Manatee Memorial Hospital in B…
June 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Water taxi agreement disappoints Anna Maria officials

Water taxi agreement disappoints Anna Maria officials

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission are not yet willing to sign a proposed interlocal agreement that would allow Manatee County to use the City Pier as a water taxi stop. The cou…
June 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Condo inspection bill signed into law

Condo inspection bill signed into law

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law new state legislation that will impact condominium associations and owners. On June 9, DeSantis signed the legislation recently ad…
June 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Elevating library could create more public parking

Elevating library could create more public parking

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie proposes further elevating the Tingley Memorial Library to create a ground-level public parking lot below the library building. The city-owned library was buil…