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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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June 21, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Van Ostenbridge and Baugh’s Sunshine Law compliance questioned

Van Ostenbridge, Baugh Sunshine Law compliance questioned

MANATEE COUNTY – Constituent Dave Tank believes he heard Manatee County Commission Chairman Kevin Van Ostenbridge and County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh discussing county business in a manner that was…
June 21, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Resort can’t use beach access for guest-only parking

City to stop resort from monopolizing beach access parking

BRADENTON BEACH – The city is addressing complaints about the city-owned beach access at the west end of 23rd Street North being used as guest-only parking for a privately owned resort. According…
June 13, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Speed tables to be modified

Speed tables to be modified

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria intends to modify three speed tables recently installed along South Bay Boulevard. The speed tables were installed on the 500, 600 and 800 blocks of South Bay B…
June 13, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Street extension tentatively approved for 105 Elm Avenue

Street extension tentatively approved for 105 Elm Avenue

ANNA MARIA – The city commission has tentatively approved the right-of-way permit needed to build a new beachfront home at 105 Elm Ave. opposed by several neighbors, including one whose beach views w…
June 13, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
City files lawsuit against vacation rental owners

City files lawsuit against vacation rental owners

ANNA MARIA – The city has filed a lawsuit against the owners of a vacation rental home whose guests received five noise ordinance violation citations in a nine-month period. The vacation rental at…
June 6, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Police chief shares more funding, staffing concerns

Police chief shares more funding, staffing concerns

BRADENTON BEACH – An incident involving two Bradenton Beach police officers prompted Police Chief John Cosby to again voice concerns about the police department budget and staffing shortages. Duri…
June 6, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
BB seal

Rezoning would allow residential units above commercial

BRADENTON BEACH – The city is considering rezoning several residential properties between Second Street North and Cortez Road from multi-family residential to mixed use. Building Official Steve Gi…
June 6, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed charter amendments won’t eliminate supra-majority votes

Proposed charter amendments won’t eliminate supra-majority votes

BRADENTON BEACH – Registered voters will see five charter amendment questions on their city ballots this fall. Two proposed charter amendments pertain to filling vacant commission seats and one pe…
June 5, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental owner responds to public nuisance declaration

Vacation rental owner responds to public nuisance declaration

ANNA MARIA – Property owner Mukesh Patel feels that city officials are overreaching in their efforts to declare his vacation rental home at 313 Magnolia Ave. a public nuisance because of repeat noise…
May 30, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Speed tables produce compliments and complaints

Speed tables produce compliments, complaints

ANNA MARIA – City officials want to reevaluate three speed tables recently installed in the 500, 600 and 800 blocks of South Bay Boulevard as part of a street paving project. On May 26, commission…
May 30, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point developer sues Cortez Village Marina

Hunters Point developer sues Cortez Village Marina

CORTEZ – Hunters Point Resort & Marina has sued the neighboring Cortez Village Marina to keep it from using a canal where Cortez Village Marina claims Hunters Point should not be allowed to build…
May 29, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria taking vacation rental owners to court

Anna Maria taking vacation rental owners to court

ANNA MARIA – The city plans to file a lawsuit against the owners of a vacation rental home cited for five noise ordinance violations within a nine-month period. Located at 313 Magnolia Ave., the r…
May 24, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Planning board reviews 105 Elm right of way permit

Planning board reviews 105 Elm right of way permit

ANNA MARIA – The right of way permit application needed to build a beachfront home at 105 Elm Ave. has been reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board and is headed to the  city commission for a final…
May 22, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Noisy vacation rental home declared public nuisance

Noisy vacation rental home declared public nuisance

ANNA MARIA – Special Magistrate Jerry Buhr has declared a vacation rental home at 313 Magnolia Ave. to be a public nuisance due to repeated noise ordinance violations. The city of Anna Maria now p…
May 22, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Expanded outdoor seating remains in effect

Outdoor seating allowances remain in effect

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s expanded outdoor seating allowances for restaurants and bars will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. On May 19, the city commission reached the unanimous con…