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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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November 8, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria honoring vets with parade and ceremony

Anna Maria honoring vets with parade and ceremony

ANNA MARIA – The Old Soldiers & Sailors Veterans Day parade is expected to be bigger than ever this year.  The parade begins Friday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Gulf Drive/Pine Avenue intersection…
November 8, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Old Town Tram contract extended

Old Town Tram contract extended

BRADENTON BEACH – By a 3-2 vote, the Old Town Tram parking shuttle contract has been extended for six months.  Initiated by the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) as a one-year pil…
November 1, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria implementing new notification system

Anna Maria implementing new notification system

ANNA MARIA – The city has purchased a GOGov software subscription that will provide citizens with a new request, notification and alert system. On Oct. 27, the city commission approved the…
November 1, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Pine Avenue sidewalk plans still under review

Pine Avenue sidewalk plans remain under review

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy has an update for the city commission on the Reimagining Pine Avenue project. On Oct. 27, Murphy said the city’s plans to install brick paver sidewalks alo…
October 31, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Outdoor dining expansion requires further clarification

Outdoor dining expansion requires clarification

BRADENTON BEACH – The Wicked Cantina’s efforts to make its temporarily expanded outdoor seating area permanent have been delayed. After a lengthy discussion on Oct. 19, the Bradenton Bea…
October 31, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Wind sculptures approved for City Pier Park

Wind sculptures approved for City Pier Park

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Garden Club and the city are partnering on an $18,000 wind sculpture project for City Pier Park. The garden club will contribute $6,000 to the project an…
October 31, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Moose lodge celebrates Halloween

AMI Moose lodge celebrates Halloween

BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 celebrated Halloween with a children’s party Saturday morning and an adult party that evening. The Women of the Moose organized the children’s…
October 25, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Mote Marine’s City Pier plans reviewed

Mote Marine’s City Pier plans reviewed

ANNA MARIA – Building Official David Gilson and City Planner Ashley Austin presented their review of Mote Marine’s plans to install an educational outreach center on the Anna Maria City Pier…
October 25, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
BB seal

Bradenton Beach formalizes beach concession fund request

BRADENTON BEACH – The City Commission has adopted city resolution 22-961, which formalizes the city’s pursuit of $105,000 in Manatee County Commission-controlled surplus beach concession fund…
October 25, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor provides ‘by the numbers’ hurricane report

Mayor provides ‘Ian by the numbers’ hurricane report

ANNA MARIA – Former Anna Maria Commissioner Doug Copeland praised the city’s Hurricane Ian cleanup and recovery efforts, particularly the efforts of new Public Works Manager Ryan Wieland…
October 25, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach commission nixes rezoning efforts

Bradenton Beach commission nixes rezoning efforts

BRADENTON BEACH – Commissioners are abandoning the city’s efforts to rezone 23 residentially-zoned properties north of Bridge Street and south of the Cortez Bridge. Instead, to address inc…
October 18, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria seeks county funds for inlet study

Anna Maria seeks county funds for inlet study

ANNA MARIA – City officials are seeking $105,000 in county commission-controlled surplus beach concession funds for a study of the Lake La Vista inlet. Mayor Dan Murphy presented the funding reque…
October 18, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
City prevails in Sunshine lawsuit appeal

City prevails in Sunshine lawsuit appeal

BRADENTON BEACH – The city has prevailed in the appeal of a 2019 court ruling that six former city advisory board members violated Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law. On Oct. 14, a t…
October 18, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier to receive a second coat of stain

City Pier to receive a second coat of stain

ANNA MARIA – The City Pier decking will be stained again in November, with the work taking place at night while the pier is closed as usual. On Thursday, Oct. 13, the Anna Maria City Com…
October 17, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Mote Marine submits City Pier plans

Mote Marine submits City Pier plans

ANNA MARIA – Mote Marine met its Oct. 13 deadline to present the city with detailed plans for the marine education outreach center to be installed on the City Pier, averting the possibility o…