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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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September 1, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
County sewer project enters second phase

County sewer project enters second phase

BRADENTON BEACH – The Woodruff & Sons construction company is now working along 12th Street South as Manatee County’s extensive sewer improvement project in Bradenton Beach continues. On Aug. 23…
September 1, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
City revising sandwich board sign regulations

City revising sandwich board sign regulations

ANNA MARIA – If an amended city ordinance is adopted in October, city businesses will be allowed one A-frame sandwich board sign per business address. City Attorney Becky Vose presented the previous…
September 1, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Construction site violation fine reduced

Construction site violation fine reduced

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have reduced a builder’s potential fine for beginning work without a permit from $29,331 to $2,500. On Aug. 2, the city issued a stop work order to the Eason Builders…
September 1, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Mayors tentatively embrace consolidation study

Mayors tentatively embrace consolidation study

ANNA MARIA – The three Island mayors are united in their response to Sen. Jim Boyd and Rep. Will Robinson Jr.’s ongoing efforts to consolidate city services to reduce property taxes. During the Aug…
August 22, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
County sewer project enters second phase

County sewer project enters second phase

BRADENTON BEACH – As part of Manatee County’s ongoing sewer line replacement project, the Woodruff & Sons construction crew has been working on and near 12th Street South. On Aug. 16, 12th Str…
August 22, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Coquina Beach drainage project nearing finish line

Coquina drainage project nears finish line

BRADENTON BEACH – The main components of Manatee County’s drainage improvement project at Coquina Beach are complete. What remains are the completion of the second unpaved overflow parking area, the…
August 22, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Incentivizing full-time residents presents challenges

Incentivizing full-time residents presents challenges

ANNA MARIA – City officials are still exploring incentives that might be pursued in hopes of retaining current full-time city residents and attracting new ones. The mayor and city commission have he…
August 15, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
FDOT launches Cortez Road corridor study

FDOT launches Cortez Road corridor study

MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is conducting an extensive study of the Cortez Road corridor from the east end of the Cortez Bridge in Cortez to the tip of U.S. Highw…
August 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Marty Tupin: A colorful character remembered

Marty Tupin: A colorful character remembered

BRADENTON BEACH – Longtime Cortez and Bradenton Beach resident Marty Tupin passed away on Aug. 1, just a few weeks before his 63rd birthday. Over the years, Marty was a commercial fisherman, a fib…
August 8, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Owner of illegal vacation rental bedrooms cited

Owner of illegal vacation rental bedroom cited

ANNA MARIA – City officials are concerned about ground-level storage spaces in vacation rental homes being illegally converted and used as additional bedrooms. Mayor Dan Murphy addressed these conce…
August 8, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria rejects proposed water taxi modifications

Anna Maria rejects proposed water taxi modifications

ANNA MARIA –City officials rejected Manatee County’s proposed water taxi-related modifications to the City Pier, but negotiations remain ongoing. On Aug. 3, Mayor Dan Murphy presented the county’s p…
August 8, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Insurance costs stall Monkey Buses

Insurance costs stall Monkey Buses

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Due to increased insurance costs, the popular Monkey Bus shuttle service on and around the Island has been suspended with the hope of resuming operations soon. Sally Dirbas and h…
July 31, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Displaced renters reflect on their Island years

Displaced renters reflect on their Island years

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island’s evolution into a vacation rental destination and the resulting lack of affordable housing has displaced many former permanent residents who rented their homes. Alex B…
July 31, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
City staff addresses single room vacation rentals

Single-room rentals in vacation homes prohibited

BRADENTON BEACH – City staff recently answered an inquiry regarding single-room rentals in vacation rental homes with a definite “No.” On July 19, Prime Vacations Compliance Specialist Rina Hernande…
July 31, 2023
By Joe Hendricks

Turner appointed to county commission

MANATEE COUNTY – Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Ray Turner to replace Vanessa Baugh on the Manatee County Commission. The governor’s appointment was to take effect Aug. 1. Turner takes over for emb…