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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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February 28, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
City officials prepare to defend local vacation rental regulations

City officials prepare to defend local vacation rental regulations

ANNA MARIA – City officials and their allies are gearing up to oppose the newest attempts by the Florida Legislature to preempt more local short-term vacation rental regulations to the state…
February 28, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Heritage Day honors Island’s past, present

Heritage Day honors Island’s past, present

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Society is hosting its annual Heritage Day celebration on Tuesday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free, family-friendly Heritage Day celeb…
February 20, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
City wants to reestablish obstructed alleys

City wants to clear alleys

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials want to reestablish some city-owned alleys that are currently obstructed by landscaping, equipment, debris and other obstacles. During a Feb. 16 city commission meet…
February 20, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Coquina Beach ‘no parking’ signs discussed

No parking signs on scenic highway debated

BRADENTON BEACH –The city’s Scenic WAVES Committee is concerned about the visual appearance of 61 new “No parking on right of way by order of D.O.T.” signs recently installed along Gulf Drive South n…
February 20, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Family seeks missing memorial bench plank

Family seeks missing memorial bench plank

ANNA MARIA – Chris and Violet Morton seek the community’s help in locating an inscribed plank that was part of a memorial bench located on the Rod & Reel Pier. The bench memorializes Adrienne…
February 16, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
FDOT installs ‘no parking’ signs along Gulf Drive

FDOT installs ‘no parking’ signs along Gulf Drive

BRADENTON BEACH – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently installed dozens of signs along various sections of Gulf Drive that say, “No parking on right of way.” Approximately 55 s…
February 16, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Commission adopts food truck regulations

Commission adopts food truck regulations

ANNA MARIA – The city has new food truck/mobile food dispensing vehicle regulations in place. The new regulations are set forth in city resolution R23-787, which the city commission adopted by a 4…
February 14, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental registration fees increasing

Vacation rental registration fees increasing

ANNA MARIA – Commissioners have established the city’s vacation rental registration fees for the year-long period encompassing portions of 2023 and 2024. The new fee will be $84.17 for each occupa…
February 9, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Consolidation study for AMI cities won’t be pursued

Legislators change direction on consolidation of AMI cities

ANNA MARIA – State legislators say they no longer intend to commission a state-funded feasibility study on the potential consolidation of the three Anna Maria Island cities and their respective city…
February 7, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
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Bradenton Beach enacting food truck moratorium

BRADENTON BEACH – Commissioners are in the process of enacting a temporary citywide moratorium on food truck operations. On Feb. 2, the city commission, minus absent Commissioner Marilyn M…
February 7, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez Bridge meeting features updated replacement plans

Cortez Bridge meeting highlights updated replacement plans

BRADENTON – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) hosted a public information meeting to provide new details about the pending Cortez Bridge replacement project. The informal set…
February 7, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
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Proposed consolidation study concerns city officials

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners continue to express concerns about legislative actions recently proposed by State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. and other state legislators. On Jan. 12, Robin…
January 31, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Food truck ordinance adopted

Food truck ordinance adopted

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has a new food truck ordinance in place that limits food truck operations to private properties located in C-1 (Commercial) zoning districts. On Thursday, Jan…
January 30, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez Bridge presentation details fixed-span bridge

Cortez Bridge presentation details fixed-span bridge

CORTEZ – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a public information meeting on the Cortez Bridge replacement project on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 6-8 p.m. in the Kirkwood Presbyteria…
January 29, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Salem appointed to Anna Maria Commission

Salem appointed to Anna Maria Commission

ANNA MARIA – Charlie Salem now serves in the Anna Maria City Commission seat recently vacated by Carol Carter. Salem will serve the remaining months of the two-year commission term that expires af…