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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 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…
July 18, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Commission approves Chiles Group’s paid parking

Commission approves Chiles Group’s paid parking

ANNA MARIA – The city commission has approved an amended site plan that allows the Chiles Group’s Sandbar restaurant to continue to use one of its parking lots for paid public parking. The commiss…
July 18, 2022
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria adopts new alcohol ordinance

ANNA MARIA – The city has a new alcohol ordinance that addresses liquor sales, package liquor stores – and requires some patrons to cover up. The city commission adopted Ordinance 2022-901 on its…
July 11, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach Commission to discuss paid parking

Bradenton Beach commissioners to consider charging for parking

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners plan to discuss the possibility of charging for parking in some city-owned parking lots. During the July 7 city commission meeting, Commissioner Jake Spooner r…
July 11, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor hopes to celebrate Bridge Street’s 100th anniversary

Mayor hopes to celebrate Bridge Street’s 100th anniversary

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie wants to recognize the 100th anniversary of Bridge Street with a celebration. The street was once at the foot of the bridge leading to Anna Maria Island from C…
July 11, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Public Works Manager bidding farewell to Anna Maria

Public works manager bidding farewell to Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – Public Works Manager Dean Jones has accepted a position as the new assistant director of Public Works and Utilities for the city of Bradenton. Mayor Dan Murphy announced Jones’ pendin…
July 11, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Coquina Beach jetty to be replaced

Coquina Beach jetty to be refurbished

BRADENTON BEACH – The aging wooden jetty at the southernmost end of Coquina Beach is scheduled to be refurbished next spring and extended back to its original length. The jetty, which extends into…