Skip to main content
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.
Email Joe Hendricks
December 17, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Island business community loses beloved ambassador

Island business community loses beloved ambassador

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island business community lost a great friend and ambassador with the recent passing of Susanne Arbanas. According to close friends, she was discovered deceased at her apartm…
December 16, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria resident restores, donates Christmas bikes

Anna Maria resident restores, donates Christmas bikes

ANNA MARIA – Carl Augostini’s Christmas tradition is repairing and restoring donated bicycles to give to underprivileged youngsters. Augostini, a retired electrical engi­neer, spends many hours in t…
December 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
December 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach celebrates 75th anniversary

Holmes Beach celebrates 75th anniversary

HOLMES BEACH – The city marked its 75th anniversary with a large, well-attended outdoor celebra­tion at City Field on Dec. 5. The event was held on the recently resodded City Field grounds that one…
December 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Kids, adults have a ball at Lester Family Fun Day

Kids, adults have a ball at Lester Family Fun Day

ANNA MARIA – Lester Family Fun Day helped ring in the holiday season at The Center of Anna Maria Island while raising money for The Center. The Dec. 6 event featured inflatable bounce houses, slides…
December 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Chamber celebrates Christmas tree lighting

AMI Chamber celebrates Christmas tree lighting

HOLMES BEACH – The city’s Christmas tree was lit shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday, and stands tall outside the Hancock Whitney Bank building at 5324 Gulf Drive. The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Comm…
December 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Sgt. Getman receives Deputy of the Year award

Sgt. Getman receives Deputy of the Year award

ANNA MARIA – Sgt. Brett Getman of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit is the MCSO Deputy of the Year for 2025. Getman leads the Anna Maria Unit that provides the city’s contracted la…
December 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Blue Öyster Cult set to rock The Center

Blue Öyster Cult set to rock The Center

ANNA MARIA – Best known for their classic rock radio staples “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Godzilla” and “Burnin’ For You,” Blue Öyster Cult is bringing their classic rock excellence and intelligence t…
December 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Dog park users seek improvements

Dog park users seek improvements

HOLMES BEACH – Residents and dog park users shared their dog park concerns and desires during the Dec. 3 Parks and Beautifi­cation Committee meeting. The dog owners’ concerns include irrigation, gra…
December 2, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
‘Captain Anthony’ hopes to land paid parking lot

‘Captain Anthony’ hopes to land paid parking lot

ANNA MARIA – Pending city com­mission approval, Anthony and Joann Manali plan to operate a 26-space paid parking lot on their commercially-zoned property at 105 Spring Ave. The couple owns and opera…
December 2, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Enjoy Lester Family Fun Day on Saturday

Enjoy Lester Family Fun Day on Saturday

ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island’s annual Lester Family Fun Day is happening on Saturday, Dec. 6. Admission is free for the family-friendly event that starts at 10:30 a.m. and concludes…
December 2, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
City baseball field being restored

City baseball field being restored

HOLMES BEACH – The city-owned Birdie Tebbetts Field has been re-sodded and is being restored and enhanced. Once a regulation-size field, the new field is built to Little League dimen­sions, has new…
December 2, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Augello departing as Holmes Beach city attorney

Augello departing as Holmes Beach city attorney

HOLMES BEACH – Erica Augello’s tenure as the Holmes Beach city attorney is coming to an end and a familiar face, Randy Mora, is expected to succeed her. On Tuesday, Dec. 16, Mayor Judy Titsworth wil…
December 2, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach celebrates 75 years

Holmes Beach celebrates 75 years

HOLMES BEACH – The city will celebrate its 75th anniversary on Friday, Dec. 5 with music, food, shopping and more. Hosted by the city and co-sponsored by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors B…
November 25, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Newly reconfigured Holmes Beach commission elects Whitmore as chair

Reconfigured Holmes Beach commission elects Whitmore as chair

HOLMES BEACH – Steve Oelfke, Jessica Patel and Terry Schaefer were sworn in to their two-year city commission terms on Nov. 18, followed by the newly-reconfigured commission’s organizational meeting…