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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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November 7, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Wilder’s Slice of AMI opens in Bradenton Beach

Wilder’s Slice of AMI opens in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Wilder’s Slice of AMI pizzeria is now open at 103 Gulf Dr. N. in the space previously occupied by the Tahini Beach Café. The new business is co-owned by Ryan Wilder, the owner of…
November 7, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Bridge Tender Inn goes all-in on Halloween

Bridge Tender Inn goes all-in on Halloween

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bridge Tender Inn in Bradenton Beach threw a spectacular party on Halloween night. With that end of Bay Drive South closed for the occasion, the Halloween street party featur…
November 7, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point prevails in canal hearing

Hunters Point prevails in canal hearing

CORTEZ – Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas denied motions to dissolve lis pendens claims last week that were filed against the owners of three properties located along the Hunters…
October 30, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Chiles Hospitality loses a dear friend

Chiles Hospitality loses a dear friend

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Retired Chiles Group Chief Financial Officer Martha Wright passed away on Oct. 20. Martha retired a few years ago and in recent years experienced some lingering health issues…
October 30, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Moose lodges join forces for kid’s Halloween party

Moose lodges join forces for Halloween party

BRADENTON – The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge and Bradenton Moose Lodge threw a fun-filled children’s Halloween party on Oct. 28. AMI Moose Lodge #2188 in Bradenton Beach is temporarily closed whi…
October 30, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
FDOT receives input on Cortez Road study

Residents offer input on Cortez Road study

BRADENTON – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently hosted a workshop seeking community input on the development of a Cortez Road corridor vision and action plan. The Oct. 18 work…
October 25, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Community rallies to assist local musician

Community rallies to assist local musician

BRADENTON BEACH – The Rock Extravaganza benefit held at the Drift In on Oct. 15 raised nearly $7,000 for local musician Mack Black. A $4,000 donation Black received from a Drift In patron before the…
October 25, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria seeks city commission applicants

Anna Maria seeks city commission applicants

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission have established the timeline that will be used to fill two vacant city commission seats. In late September, Commissioner Deanie Sebring vacated…
October 25, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Commission discusses dogs at City Pier Park

Commission discusses dogs at City Pier Park

ANNA MARIA – Leashed dogs may soon be allowed in City Pier Park, but not during special events or holiday events, and not in the children’s playground. The city commission may also consider installi…
October 24, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue plans presented

Expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue plans presented

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners got their first look at the preliminary plans for proposed safety improvements along Spring and Magnolia avenues as part of the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue projec…
October 24, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
City purchasing leased annex building

City purchases leased annex building

ANNA MARIA – The city is buying the building and property at 307 Pine Ave. for $1 million to relocate the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office substation. For the past several years, the city has leased…
October 24, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
County approves ferry agreements with cities

County approves ferry agreements with cities

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Manatee County Commission approved an interlocal agreement that allows the Anna Maria City Pier to serve as a Gulf Island Ferry stop. Approved on Oct. 10, the agreement requi…
October 24, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Memorial honors domestic violence victim

Memorial honors domestic violence victim

HOLMES BEACH – In 2012, Holmes Beach resident Jamie Kimble was murdered at a Tampa intersection during an act of domestic violence. She was shot by an ex-boyfriend, who took his own life a short tim…
October 17, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria farmers market returns

Anna Maria farmers market returns

ANNA MARIA – The city-sponsored weekly farmer’s market has returned to City Pier Park. Featuring 13 vendors, the market will be held every Tuesday through May 7, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m…
October 10, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Planning begins for expanded Pine Avenue project

Pine Avenue project expanded to Spring, Magnolia

ANNA MARIA – Additional planning is underway for the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue project which now also includes Spring and Magnolia avenues. The long-discussed project includes the installatio…