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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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September 5, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Dispute leads to tolls, traffic lights for canal boaters

Dispute leads to tolls, traffic lights for canal boaters

CORTEZ – Boaters can expect one-way navigational patterns in the privately-owned Hunters Point canal, with some having to pay automated tolls to use it. Canal access will remain free for canal-sid…
September 5, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Paid parking plans taking shape

Paid parking coming to Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials soon will begin negotiating with Easy Parking Group owner Josh LaRose to create a paid parking program on city-owned lots. The commission unanimously authorized Ci…
August 31, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Whitmore reflects on election results

Whitmore reflects on election results

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach resident Carol Whitmore’s tenure as a Manatee County commissioner will end in November. Seeking a fifth term in office, Whitmore lost the At-Large District 6 Republican…
August 29, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point files complaint against Cortez Village Marina

Hunters Point files complaint against Cortez Village Marina

CORTEZ – The Cortez Village Marina ownership group is named in a new complaint that alleges the marina is being operated without a state-issued environmental resource permit or is being operated in v…
August 29, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed food truck regulations stalled

Proposed food truck regulations stalled

ANNA MARIA – City officials are pumping the brakes on their efforts to create a designated food truck area at the northwest end of Bayfront Park. With potentially impacted residents and property o…
August 29, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Water taxi agreement discussed

Water taxi agreement discussed

ANNA MARIA – City officials are working on an interlocal agreement that would allow for a water taxi stop at the Anna Maria City Pier. Manatee County is proposing a county-contracted water taxi se…
August 22, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point canal hearing continues

Hunters Point canal hearing continues

CORTEZ – Potential safety-related compromises were proposed during three days of hearings last week in the ongoing Hunters Point Resort & Marina dock permitting challenge. The permitting chall…
August 22, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Suncoast Waterkeeper questions FDEP response to mangrove trimming

Suncoast Waterkeeper questions FDEP response to mangrove trimming

MANATEE COUNTY – The Suncoast Waterkeeper organization remains concerned about the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) response and oversight of the mangrove trimming that occurre…
August 22, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria loses business, community icon

Anna Maria loses business, community icon

ANNA MARIA – Businessman and resident Mike Coleman passed away shortly before midnight on Aug. 14. He was 74. “Micheal died at home on our 39th wedding anniversary. He was my best friend and the b…
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…