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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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August 16, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria creating designated food truck zone

Anna Maria creating designated food truck zone

ANNA MARIA – City officials have designated a food truck parking zone at the northwest end of Bayfront Park. A concrete or stone-covered food truck parking area will be created near the city sand…
August 16, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Judge rules in favor of FDOT in Cortez Bridge challenge

Judge rules in favor of FDOT in Cortez Bridge challenge

CORTEZ – U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony Porcelli has ruled against the four plaintiffs opposing the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) plans to construct a fixed-span bridge between Cortez…
August 15, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Water taxi plan to be presented to county commissioners

Water taxi plan headed to county commissioners

ANNA MARIA – Elliott Falcione hopes to present Manatee County Commissioners with a proposed water taxi plan on Tuesday, Sept. 13. Falcione, the director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visito…
August 8, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria plans to maintain 2.05 millage rate

Anna Maria plans to maintain 2.05 millage rate

ANNA MARIA – The city commission plans to maintain the current 2.05 millage rate for the ad valorem property taxes collected in the coming 2022-23 fiscal year. The current 2021-22 fiscal year ends…
August 8, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria loses a true gentleman

Anna Maria loses a true gentleman

ANNA MARIA – Longtime resident and former Anna Maria Elementary School principal Jack Dietrich, 92, passed away on Aug. 1. A memorial service will be held at Roser Memorial Community Church on Sat…
August 8, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Modifications planned for Coquina, Cortez beach parking lots

Modifications planned for Coquina, Cortez beach parking lots

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County has some modifications in mind for the Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach and Bayside Park parking lots. City and county officials discussed the plan recently when Braden…
August 8, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County anticipates water taxi service in 2023

Manatee County anticipates water taxi service in 2023

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County hopes to have a water taxi service running to and from Anna Maria Island three days a week beginning in February. On Aug. 2, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors…
August 2, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Another vacation rental home deemed public nuisance

Another vacation rental home deemed public nuisance

ANNA MARIA – Due to repeated noise violations, Special Magistrate Gerald Buhr has deemed a vacation rental home at 205 South Bay Blvd. to be a public nuisance. Buhr awarded the city a $150 adminis…
August 2, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Unregistered vacation rental owner faces potential fines

Unregistered vacation rental owner faces potential fines

ANNA MARIA – The owner of a large home and smaller cottage at 714 Jacaranda Road has until Wednesday, Aug. 10 to register his vacation rentals or face a retroactive daily fine of up to $250 per day…
August 2, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria pursuing food truck ordinance

Anna Maria pursuing food truck ordinance

ANNA MARIA – City officials have begun working on a new city ordinance that would specify where food trucks are allowed to operate within the city limits. The yet-to-be-drafted ordinance is also e…
August 1, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Canal-side homeowners served summons in Hunters Point lawsuit

Canal-side homeowners served summons in Hunters Point lawsuit

CORTEZ – Several property owners along a privately-owned canal are planning their response to a lawsuit filed against them by Hunters Point developer Marshall Gobuty and his Cortez Road Investments a…
July 25, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Right of way permit approved for 105 Elm Avenue

Right of way permit approved for 105 Elm Avenue

ANNA MARIA – Fedora Campbell is one step closer to building her long-desired beachfront home at 105 Elm Ave. During an emergency city commission meeting on July 21, the Anna Maria Commission voted…
July 25, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Paid parking discussed at Bradenton Beach budget meeting

Paid parking discussed at Bradenton Beach budget meeting

BRADENTON BEACH – Paid parking and potential future millage increases were primary topics of discussion during the city commission’s July 12 budget meeting. The tentative budget discussed on Tuesd…
July 20, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Piney Point stormwater to be discharged into Tampa Bay

Piney Point stormwater to be discharged into Tampa Bay

PALMETTO – Approximately 4.5 million gallons of stormwater contained in a storage pond at the Piney Point property will soon be discharged into Tampa Bay at Port Manatee (SeaPort Manatee). The wat…
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…