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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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March 21, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach police officers receive medals

Police officers receive medals for saving a life

BRADENTON BEACH – Police officers Devon Straight and Charles “Chuck” Marose received recognition last week for saving a life. During the March 16 city commission meeting, Police Chief John…
March 20, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria officials oppose rental bill

Anna Maria officials oppose rental bill

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy traveled to Tallahassee last week to express the city’s opposition to Senate Bill 714. SB 714 is the Florida Legislature’s most recent move to further limi…
March 16, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Mote receives another extension for pier facility

Mote receives another extension for pier facility

ANNA MARIA – Mote Marine Laboratory was given an additional two weeks to obtain a city-issued certificate of occupancy for the education outreach center being installed on the City Pier. On March…
March 13, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Water taxi agreement revisions continue

Water taxi agreement revisions continue

ANNA MARIA – City and county officials continue to work on an interlocal agreement that would allow the Anna Maria City Pier to be used as a landing area for Manatee County’s pending water taxi servi…
March 13, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point prevails in dock permit challenge

Hunters Point prevails in dock permit challenge

CORTEZ – Administrative Law Judge Bruce Culpepper issued a recommended order supporting the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s issuance of a permit for the construction of 49 canal-side do…
March 7, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Residents considering Pines Trailer Park purchase

Residents considering Pines Trailer Park purchase

BRADENTON BEACH – Residents of the Pines Trailer Park must soon decide if they have the desire and the means to collectively purchase for $16 million the 2.78-acre waterfront property their mobile ho…
March 7, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Greg’s Last Dance will honor Greg Koeper’s life

‘Greg’s Last Dance’ will honor Greg Koeper’s life

BRADENTON – Former Swordfish Grill Manager Greg “Grego” Koeper passed away on Feb. 22, at the age of 67. In the early 2000s, Koeper was the owner/operator of Grego’s Almost to the Beach Tavern on…
March 6, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
City seeks partnerships with Shawn Kaleta

City seeks partnerships with Kaleta

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials are pursuing two potential public-private partnerships with the Bradenton Beach Marina’s new principal, developer Shawn Kaleta. One partnership pertains to propose…
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…