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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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May 8, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed vacation rental legislation fails

Proposed vacation rental legislation fails

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Legislature has failed in its efforts to preempt the regulation of short-term vacation rentals to the state. During the 60-day legislative session that concluded on May 5…
May 8, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Mote Marine Science, Education and Outreach Center opens

Mote Marine Science, Education & Outreach Center opens

ANNA MARIA – The Mote Marine Science, Education & Outreach Center on the City Pier is now open free of charge from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The long-awaited Mote facility opened Friday, May 5…
May 8, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach’s paid parking efforts continue

Bradenton Beach’s paid parking efforts continue

BRADENTON BEACH – The city is moving forward with its plan to implement a paid parking program as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) plans to issue an RFP seeking bids from interested paid park…
May 1, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental bills reach final votes

Vacation rental bills reach final votes

ANNA MARIA – Local governments, including those on Anna Maria Island, are in danger of losing their ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals at the local level. Using a contracted lobbyist…
May 1, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Latest Reimagining Pine Avenue bid rejected

Latest Reimagining Pine Avenue bid rejected

ANNA MARIA – The City Commission rejected the latest single bid received to install new sidewalks along both sides of Pine Avenue on April 27. The mayor and commissioners now hope to use state fun…
April 25, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Pines purchase efforts fall short

Pines purchase efforts fall short

BRADENTON BEACH – The residents of the Pines Trailer Park have fallen short in their efforts to purchase the 86-unit waterfront mobile home park property. In late January, Pines residents were inf…
April 25, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
WMFR planning annual vacation rental inspections

WMFR planning annual vacation rental inspections

BRADENTON BEACH –The West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) district has informed city officials about its plan to conduct annual safety inspections of short-term vacation rentals. WMFR Fire Marshal Rodn…
April 24, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Noise violation lawsuits settled

Noise violation lawsuits settled

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has reached settlement agreements with the owners of two short-term vacation rental properties that received three or more noise ordinance violation citations with…
April 17, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Opposition to vacation rental legislation continues

Opposition to vacation rental legislation continues

ANNA MARIA – City officials continue to lead the opposition to proposed state legislation that would curtail local governments’ ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals. Senate Bill 714 and…
April 17, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Mote Marine facility opening May 5

Mote Marine facility opening May 5

ANNA MARIA – The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mote Marine education outreach center on the City Pier remains on track for Friday, May 5. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in…
April 10, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
City attorney: No reserved spaces for water taxi

City attorney: No reserved spaces for water taxi

BRADENTON BEACH – City Attorney Ricinda Perry told commissioners last week that they cannot promise to designate a reserved space for the proposed water taxi on the floating day dock next to the Brad…
April 10, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Old Town Tram contract extended

Old Town Tram contract extended

BRADENTON BEACH – The contract for the Old Town Tram parking shuttle service has been extended for another year. First launched as a one-year pilot program in November 2020, the Old Town Tram cons…
April 10, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
AMOB pier improvements making headway

AMOB pier improvements making headway

BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) took a few more steps in the ongoing process to make several improvements to its Bradenton Beach Pier-based operation. Led by company president J…
April 10, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Moose Lodge hosts Easter egg hunt

AMI Moose Lodge hosts Easter egg hunt

BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 in Bradenton Beach hosted its annual Easter egg hunt last Saturday morning. Ninety-six children were registered in advance to participate in t…
April 8, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Canal-related residential dock dispute lingers on

Canal-related residential dock dispute lingers on

CORTEZ – A civil lawsuit regarding residential docks located in a canal owned by the Hunters Point Resort & Marina remains unresolved and the court filings continue. Filed with the 12th Judici…