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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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July 18, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Mote Marine design process underway

Mote Marine design process underway

ANNA MARIA – Mote Marine’s contracted architect, Barron Schimberg, has begun work on the plans for a marine educational outreach center on the City Pier. The center was originally expected to open…
July 18, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Commission approves Chiles Group’s paid parking

Commission approves Chiles Group’s paid parking

ANNA MARIA – The city commission has approved an amended site plan that allows the Chiles Group’s Sandbar restaurant to continue to use one of its parking lots for paid public parking. The commiss…
July 18, 2022
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria adopts new alcohol ordinance

ANNA MARIA – The city has a new alcohol ordinance that addresses liquor sales, package liquor stores – and requires some patrons to cover up. The city commission adopted Ordinance 2022-901 on its…
July 11, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach Commission to discuss paid parking

Bradenton Beach commissioners to consider charging for parking

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners plan to discuss the possibility of charging for parking in some city-owned parking lots. During the July 7 city commission meeting, Commissioner Jake Spooner r…
July 11, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor hopes to celebrate Bridge Street’s 100th anniversary

Mayor hopes to celebrate Bridge Street’s 100th anniversary

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie wants to recognize the 100th anniversary of Bridge Street with a celebration. The street was once at the foot of the bridge leading to Anna Maria Island from C…
July 11, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Public Works Manager bidding farewell to Anna Maria

Public works manager bidding farewell to Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – Public Works Manager Dean Jones has accepted a position as the new assistant director of Public Works and Utilities for the city of Bradenton. Mayor Dan Murphy announced Jones’ pendin…
July 11, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Coquina Beach jetty to be replaced

Coquina Beach jetty to be refurbished

BRADENTON BEACH – The aging wooden jetty at the southernmost end of Coquina Beach is scheduled to be refurbished next spring and extended back to its original length. The jetty, which extends into…
July 4, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point dock permit challenge hearing to continue

Hunters Point dock permit hearing to continue

CORTEZ – The public can watch the next Hunters Point Resort & Marina dock permit challenge hearing on Zoom, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 9:30 a.m. through Thursday, Aug. 18 at the Southwest…
July 4, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Coquina Beach parking lot improvements continue

Coquina Beach parking lot improvements continue

BRADENTON BEACH – Beachgoers will be vying for limited parking spaces at Coquina Beach all summer with the next phase of drainage and parking lot improvements expected to be completed no sooner than…
July 4, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Planning board recommends paid parking approval

Planning board recommends paid parking approval

ANNA MARIA – Sandbar restaurant owner Ed Chiles is one step closer to having his paid public parking lot formally approved by city officials. The Anna Maria Planning and Zoning Board unanimously r…
July 2, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Emergency dredge project closes part of Greer Island to boaters

Eastern end of Greer Island closed to boaters

LONGBOAT KEY – The Greer Island beach east of the Longboat Pass Bridge is closed for about three weeks during a dredging project, then will open for recreational use – except to motorboats, according…
June 28, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Brian Haddix remembered…

Brian Haddix remembered

BRADENTON – Longtime Anna Maria Island resident Brian Haddix passed away at Tidewell Hospice on June 21. Brian was 52 years old when he passed. That day, Brian’s son, Elijah, shared the news of hi…
June 28, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Portions of Greer Island/Beer Can Island closing to boaters

Portions of Greer Island closing to boaters

LONGBOAT KEY – Boaters will soon be prohibited from pulling ashore at two locations on Greer Island, also known as Beer Can Island, along the east side of the Longboat Pass Bridge. The new restric…
June 28, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point dock permit challenge hearing begins

Hunters Point dock permit challenge begins

CORTEZ – A hearing is un­derway to decide whether Hunt­ers Point can build 49 docks in the canal bordering the new development. The case pertains to the environ­mental resource permit that the Sou…
June 21, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Planning board rejects proposed rezoning ordinance

Planning board rejects proposed rezoning ordinance

BRADENTON BEACH – Planning and Zoning Board members have rejected a rezoning ordinance that would change some residential properties to mixed-use, asking that it be rewritten to reflect the board’s p…