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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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April 17, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Jack Dietrich reflects on a life well-lived

Jack Dietrich reflects on a well-lived life

ANNA MARIA – Former Anna Maria Elementary Principal Jack Dietrich, 92, is living out his golden years surrounded by family members and friends at his Anna Maria home. These days, Jack can be found…
April 17, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Murphy to Mote: Fish or cut bait

Murphy to Mote: Fish or cut bait

ANNA MARIA – Dr. Michael Crosby and his Mote Marine Laboratory associates have until Friday to present the final conceptual plans for an educational outreach center on the City Pier. Mote’s latest…
April 13, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Tram operator asked to focus on beach parking spaces

Tram operator asked to focus on beach parking spaces

BRADENTON BEACH – The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members want the CRA-funded Old Town Trams to serve more people who park in the Manatee County-owned parking spaces at Cortez Beach and Coqu…
April 11, 2022
By Joe Hendricks

New charter review committee forms

BRADENTON BEACH – The City Commission has appointed a new charter review committee and term limits for elected officials could be one topic for discussion. Commissioners approved the committee app…
April 10, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Moose kids enjoy Easter egg hunt

Moose kids enjoy Easter egg hunt

BRADENTON BEACH – Kids swarmed onto the beach at the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge Saturday for the annual Easter egg hunt searching for 1,000 brightly colored plastic eggs. Upon arrival at Moose…
April 3, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Mystery tour raises money for Ukrainians

Mystery tour raises money for Ukrainians

LONGBOAT KEY – Women from the Cedars Tennis Resort & Club embarked on a mystery tour aboard the Anna Maria Island Privateer’s parade vessel, the Skullywag, on April Fools’ Day, but they had a ser…
March 31, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed water taxi service produces no formal proposals

Proposed water taxi service attracts no formal proposals

ANNA MARIA – Water taxi operators aren’t expressing interest in operating a water taxi service between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. Wednesday, March 30 was the deadline to submit a pr…
March 28, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Public records portal questioned and clarified

City offers new option for requesting public records

ANNA MARIA – The city’s new online public records portal is an option for those seeking records, not a requirement, according to city officials. On March 3, City Clerk LeAnne Addy distributed a fl…
March 27, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed clam restoration project withdrawn

Proposed clam restoration project withdrawn

ANNA MARIA – Proponents of clam and seagrass restoration projects have withdrawn their $50,000 funding request for projects proposed in and around the city. The money will instead be used on a wat…
March 27, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Shoreline project no longer includes concrete wall

Rocks beat out concrete in shoreline project

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials have made significant changes to the plans for a shoreline resiliency project along Bay Drive South from the south side of the Bradenton Beach Pier to Fifth Street So…
March 21, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Garden Club hosts Paradise Found flower show

AMI Garden Club hosts ‘Paradise Found’ flower show

ANNA MARIA – This year’s Anna Maria Island Garden Club flower show was considered to be the club’s biggest and best show yet. Featuring flower and plant arrangements designed by garden club member…
March 21, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Heritage Day celebrates Anna Maria’s past

Heritage Day celebrates Anna Maria’s past

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Society hosted another successful Heritage Day celebration. The annual festival was held on the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum grounds on March 1…
March 20, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
RFP being issued for Pine Avenue improvements

Bidding opens for Pine Avenue improvements

ANNA MARIA – City officials are issuing a request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids for the installation of new sidewalks, crosswalks and lights along Pine Avenue. The proposed safety improvements…
March 14, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Trevor and Katrina Bystrom wed during Wedstock festival

Trevor and Katrina Bystrom wed during Wedstock festival

ZOLFO SPRINGS – Trevor Bystrom and Katrina Lathrop got married on Friday, March 11, during their three-day Wedstock festival. Wedstock took place at the family-owned East 40 Preserve – an undevelo…
March 14, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Legislative session produces mostly positive results for Anna Maria

Anna Maria mostly satisfied with legislative session

ANNA MARIA – As the Florida Legislature winds to a close, city officials are watching several bills closely. The 60-day 2022 legislative session began on Jan. 11 and was scheduled to end its 3-day…