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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 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…
November 20, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria celebrates Thanks-Living

Anna Maria celebrates Thanks-Living

ANNA MARIA – Residents and visi­tors gathered under the City Pier Park shade sail on Sunday afternoon and evening to celebrate Thanks-Living. Graced by perfect weather, ap­proximately 50 people at…
November 20, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach Commission weighs in on consolidation

Holmes Beach Commission weighs in on consolidation

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach city commissioners discussed the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Account­ability (OPPAGA)’s consolidation study on Nov. 14, which lists the city o…
November 20, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria officials discuss consolidation study

Anna Maria officials discuss consolidation study

ANNA MARIA – On Nov. 16, each of the three Anna Maria Island mayors received a letter requesting information from the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OP­PAGA)…
November 13, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria honors veterans, spouses

Anna Maria honors veterans, spouses

ANNA MARIA – The city’s eighth annual “Old Soldiers & Sailors” parade and veterans recognition ceremony paid tribute on Nov. 10 to those who served and still serve in the U.S. military. At…
November 13, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Annexation into Bradenton a consolidation option

Annexation into Bradenton a consolidation option

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said she was told the city of Bradenton will be included in the Anna Maria Island consolidation study being conducted by the Florida Office of Pr…