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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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October 3, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor’s letter addresses consolidation study

Mayor’s letter addresses consolidation study

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy has sent State Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Manatee, Hillsborough) and State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R- Manatee, Sarasota) a written response to their continued push for a state-fun…
October 2, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Judy Kuhlman had strong ties to Bradenton Beach

Judy Kuhlman had strong ties to Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Longtime Bradenton Beach visitor and homeowner Judy Kuhlman passed away on Sept. 23 at the age of 81. Judy was born in 1942 in Fremont, Ohio and was laid to rest in the Harris-El…
September 26, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Painted rock honors young Iowa woman

Painted rock honors young Iowa woman

ANNA MARIA – Bradenton Beach resident Rob Edwards made a heartwarming discovery while recently photographing the sunrise at the Anna Maria City Pier. Edwards, a retired electrician from New York, of…
September 26, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Siddique, Shoemaker enter county commission race

Siddique, Shoemaker enter county commission race

MANATEE COUNTY – Democrat Diana Shoemaker and Republican Talha “Tal” Siddique both seek the District 3 Manatee County Commission seat currently held by Kevin Van Ostenbridge. Shoemaker announced her…
September 26, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier ferry stop approved

Ferry will stop at Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – The city commission has approved an interlocal agreement that allows Manatee County to use the City Pier as a Gulf Island Ferry stop. The unanimous approval granted on Sept. 21 ends a l…
September 25, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Sebring departs Anna Maria Commission

Sebring departs Anna Maria Commission

ANNA MARIA – City Commissioner Deanie Sebring has vacated her city commission seat. Sebring participated in her final commission meeting on Sept. 21. In October, she and her husband, Tripp, are movi…
September 19, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Budget approval expected Thursday

City budget approval expected Thursday

ANNA MARIA – The city commission will host a second and final public hearing for the adoption of the city’s $17.89 million 2023-24 fiscal year budget on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 5:01 p.m. During the co…
September 19, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Vote by mail requests require annual renewal

Vote-by-mail requests require annual renewal

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County voters who plan to vote by mail during the 2024 election cycle need to submit a request that vote-by-mail ballots be sent to them. According to a press release issu…
September 18, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
WMFR vacation rental inspections begin

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin

HOLMES BEACH – On Oct. 1, West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) will begin mandatory annual inspections of all short-term vacation rentals in the fire district that includes Anna Maria Island, Cortez and p…
September 13, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Pines Trailer Park sold

Pines Trailer Park sold

BRADENTON BEACH – Developer Shawn Kaleta’s Pines Park Investors LLC has purchased the Pines Trailer Park in Bradenton Beach. Formed on May 5, Pines Park Investors LLC lists the Najmy Thompson law…
September 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Gulf Island Ferry visits Anna Maria Pier

Gulf Island Ferry visits Anna Maria Pier

ANNA MARIA – Manatee County and Anna Maria city officials continue to discuss the safety and docking modifications needed to accommodate a Gulf Island Ferry stop at the city pier. Those negotiations…
September 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks

Two city commission vacancies pending

ANNA MARIA – In the coming months, the Anna Maria City Commission will have two vacant commission seats to fill by commission appointment. Commissioner Deanie Sebring’s final meeting will be on Sept…
September 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Azure Shores ordinance headed to city commission

Azure Shores ordinance headed to city commission

BRADENTON BEACH – An ordinance that will fix existing zoning map and future land use map inconsistencies for 23 properties in the Azure Shores subdivision is ready for city commission review and appr…
September 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria hosts centennial celebration

Anna Maria hosts centennial celebration

ANNA MARIA – On Sunday, the city of Anna Maria celebrated its 100th anniversary for the second time this year. Taking place again at City Pier Park, Sunday’s celebration served as a follow-up to the…
September 1, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Hurricane Idalia floods Anna Maria Island

Hurricane Idalia swamps Anna Maria Island

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Much of Anna Maria Island experienced storm surge and king tide-related flooding, but the barrier island survived Hurricane Idalia mostly unscathed. During the evening hours of…