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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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June 29, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Coquina Beach parking lot improvements nearly complete

Coquina Beach parking lot improvements nearly complete

BRADENTON BEACH – Almost the entire Coquina Beach parking lot is now available to beachgoers, including those visiting the beach during the extended Fourth of July weekend. The second phase of Man…
June 29, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Racing boat visiting Drift In

Racing boat visiting Drift In

BRADENTON BEACH – One of the offshore racing boats participating in the 39th Annual Sarasota Grand Prix powerboat races will make a post-race appearance at the Drift In in Braden­ton Beach on Monday…
June 26, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Incentives proposed for permanent Anna Maria residents

Incentives proposed for permanent Anna Maria residents

ANNA MARIA – The city’s 2023-24 fiscal year budget may include a feasibility study aimed at attracting and retaining permanent residents through property tax breaks and building code incentives. O…
June 24, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Protestors oppose beach parking garage

Protestors oppose beach parking garage

BRADENTON – More than 50 concerned citizens and city officials gathered on Friday to protest Manatee County’s plans to build a 1,500-space, three-story parking garage at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach…
June 19, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Pat Copeland, an Island treasure

Pat Copeland, an Island treasure

ANNA MARIA – Beloved Anna Maria resident, newspaper reporter and Island historian Pat Copeland passed away on Tues­day, June 13, at the age of 76. She passed away at Manatee Memorial Hospital in B…
June 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Water taxi agreement disappoints Anna Maria officials

Water taxi agreement disappoints Anna Maria officials

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission are not yet willing to sign a proposed interlocal agreement that would allow Manatee County to use the City Pier as a water taxi stop. The cou…
June 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Condo inspection bill signed into law

Condo inspection bill signed into law

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law new state legislation that will impact condominium associations and owners. On June 9, DeSantis signed the legislation recently ad…
June 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Elevating library could create more public parking

Elevating library could create more public parking

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie proposes further elevating the Tingley Memorial Library to create a ground-level public parking lot below the library building. The city-owned library was buil…
June 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Commission ends commercial activity discussions

Commission ends commercial activity discussions

ANNA MARIA – The city won’t enact any additional prohibitions or regulations pertaining to commercial activity in city rights of way and other public spaces. The Anna Maria City Commission reached…
June 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Parking analysis sought

Parking analysis sought

BRADENTON BEACH – The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has authorized a $1,400 analysis of an existing city parking lot in hopes of creating additional public parking spaces. The authorization…
June 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Bortell’s Lounge for sale

Bortell’s Lounge for sale

ANNA MARIA – Bortell’s Lounge is on the market with a $7.2 million asking price. Pat Bucko is serving as the broker for Bortell’s Lounge owner Steve Rose. According to Bucko’s online listing, t…
May 29, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
National Safe Boating Week raises awareness

National Safe Boating Week raises awareness

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – National Safe Boating Week, May 20-26, was an annual reminder for boaters to prioritize safety while enjoying Florida’s waterways. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Co…
May 29, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Board rules in favor of Hunters Point docks

Board rules in favor of Hunters Point docks

CORTEZ – The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (SWFWMD) governing board has adopted a final order that allows 49 residential docks/boat slips to be built along the Hunters Point canal as…
May 29, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Commission discusses commercial activity in public spaces

Commission discusses commercial activity in public spaces

ANNA MARIA – City Commission Chair Mark Short doesn’t want Anna Maria’s parks, beaches and rights of way to be commercialized in a manner similar to what’s currently taking place along the Palma Sola…
May 29, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria opts out of Gulf Drive study

Anna Maria opts out of Gulf Drive study

ANNA MARIA – The city-owned portion of Gulf Drive will not be included in a corridor study conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). On May 25, the Anna Maria City Commission u…