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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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September 20, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Water taxi plans detailed

Water taxi plans detailed

MANATEE COUNTY – The county’s chief tourism official briefed county commissioners on Sept. 13 on plans in the works for a water taxi between Anna Maria Island and Bradenton, including new fun…
September 19, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Commission declines paid parking proposal

Commission declines paid parking proposal

BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission has rejected a paid parking proposal that city staff negotiated with Easy Parking Group owner Josh LaRose. After two and a half hours of discussion on…
September 13, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Chiles Group pursuing paid parking in Bradenton Beach

Chiles Group pursuing paid parking in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – The Chiles Group hopes to implement paid parking in the Third Street North parking lot across the street from the Beach House restaurant. As a precursor, the Chiles Group charged…
September 13, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria revises proposed water taxi agreement

Anna Maria revises proposed water taxi agreement

ANNA MARIA – The city’s proposed interlocal agreement for the use of the City Pier as a water taxi stop is ready for review by Manatee County officials. The county’s proposed round-trip water serv…
September 12, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Aqua mangrove trimming prompts FDEP warning

Aqua mangrove trimming prompts FDEP warning

MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has issued a warning letter regarding the mangrove trimming conducted earlier this year along the Aqua development shoreline…
September 5, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental trash cans concern city officials

City officials concerned about trash cans on street

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie continues to lament the constant presence of trash containers left alongside city streets. Chappie and the city team, which includes City Attorney Ricinda Perr…
September 5, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Front yard boat storage questioned

Front yard boat storage questioned

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners discussed – but took no action – on Commissioner Marilyn Maro’s concerns about boats and other recreational vehicles being stored in front yards. In recent mon…
September 5, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Dispute leads to tolls, traffic lights for canal boaters

Dispute leads to tolls, traffic lights for canal boaters

CORTEZ – Boaters can expect one-way navigational patterns in the privately-owned Hunters Point canal, with some having to pay automated tolls to use it. Canal access will remain free for canal-sid…
September 5, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Paid parking plans taking shape

Paid parking coming to Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials soon will begin negotiating with Easy Parking Group owner Josh LaRose to create a paid parking program on city-owned lots. The commission unanimously authorized Ci…
August 31, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Whitmore reflects on election results

Whitmore reflects on election results

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach resident Carol Whitmore’s tenure as a Manatee County commissioner will end in November. Seeking a fifth term in office, Whitmore lost the At-Large District 6 Republican…
August 29, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point files complaint against Cortez Village Marina

Hunters Point files complaint against Cortez Village Marina

CORTEZ – The Cortez Village Marina ownership group is named in a new complaint that alleges the marina is being operated without a state-issued environmental resource permit or is being operated in v…
August 29, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed food truck regulations stalled

Proposed food truck regulations stalled

ANNA MARIA – City officials are pumping the brakes on their efforts to create a designated food truck area at the northwest end of Bayfront Park. With potentially impacted residents and property o…
August 29, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Water taxi agreement discussed

Water taxi agreement discussed

ANNA MARIA – City officials are working on an interlocal agreement that would allow for a water taxi stop at the Anna Maria City Pier. Manatee County is proposing a county-contracted water taxi se…
August 22, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point canal hearing continues

Hunters Point canal hearing continues

CORTEZ – Potential safety-related compromises were proposed during three days of hearings last week in the ongoing Hunters Point Resort & Marina dock permitting challenge. The permitting chall…
August 22, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Suncoast Waterkeeper questions FDEP response to mangrove trimming

Suncoast Waterkeeper questions FDEP response to mangrove trimming

MANATEE COUNTY – The Suncoast Waterkeeper organization remains concerned about the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) response and oversight of the mangrove trimming that occurre…