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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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July 4, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point dock permit challenge hearing to continue

Hunters Point dock permit hearing to continue

CORTEZ – The public can watch the next Hunters Point Resort & Marina dock permit challenge hearing on Zoom, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 9:30 a.m. through Thursday, Aug. 18 at the Southwest…
July 4, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Coquina Beach parking lot improvements continue

Coquina Beach parking lot improvements continue

BRADENTON BEACH – Beachgoers will be vying for limited parking spaces at Coquina Beach all summer with the next phase of drainage and parking lot improvements expected to be completed no sooner than…
July 4, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Planning board recommends paid parking approval

Planning board recommends paid parking approval

ANNA MARIA – Sandbar restaurant owner Ed Chiles is one step closer to having his paid public parking lot formally approved by city officials. The Anna Maria Planning and Zoning Board unanimously r…
July 2, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Emergency dredge project closes part of Greer Island to boaters

Eastern end of Greer Island closed to boaters

LONGBOAT KEY – The Greer Island beach east of the Longboat Pass Bridge is closed for about three weeks during a dredging project, then will open for recreational use – except to motorboats, according…
June 28, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Brian Haddix remembered…

Brian Haddix remembered

BRADENTON – Longtime Anna Maria Island resident Brian Haddix passed away at Tidewell Hospice on June 21. Brian was 52 years old when he passed. That day, Brian’s son, Elijah, shared the news of hi…
June 28, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Portions of Greer Island/Beer Can Island closing to boaters

Portions of Greer Island closing to boaters

LONGBOAT KEY – Boaters will soon be prohibited from pulling ashore at two locations on Greer Island, also known as Beer Can Island, along the east side of the Longboat Pass Bridge. The new restric…
June 28, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point dock permit challenge hearing begins

Hunters Point dock permit challenge begins

CORTEZ – A hearing is un­derway to decide whether Hunt­ers Point can build 49 docks in the canal bordering the new development. The case pertains to the environ­mental resource permit that the Sou…
June 21, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Planning board rejects proposed rezoning ordinance

Planning board rejects proposed rezoning ordinance

BRADENTON BEACH – Planning and Zoning Board members have rejected a rezoning ordinance that would change some residential properties to mixed-use, asking that it be rewritten to reflect the board’s p…
June 21, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Van Ostenbridge and Baugh’s Sunshine Law compliance questioned

Van Ostenbridge, Baugh Sunshine Law compliance questioned

MANATEE COUNTY – Constituent Dave Tank believes he heard Manatee County Commission Chairman Kevin Van Ostenbridge and County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh discussing county business in a manner that was…
June 21, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Resort can’t use beach access for guest-only parking

City to stop resort from monopolizing beach access parking

BRADENTON BEACH – The city is addressing complaints about the city-owned beach access at the west end of 23rd Street North being used as guest-only parking for a privately owned resort. According…
June 13, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Speed tables to be modified

Speed tables to be modified

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria intends to modify three speed tables recently installed along South Bay Boulevard. The speed tables were installed on the 500, 600 and 800 blocks of South Bay B…
June 13, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Street extension tentatively approved for 105 Elm Avenue

Street extension tentatively approved for 105 Elm Avenue

ANNA MARIA – The city commission has tentatively approved the right-of-way permit needed to build a new beachfront home at 105 Elm Ave. opposed by several neighbors, including one whose beach views w…
June 13, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
City files lawsuit against vacation rental owners

City files lawsuit against vacation rental owners

ANNA MARIA – The city has filed a lawsuit against the owners of a vacation rental home whose guests received five noise ordinance violation citations in a nine-month period. The vacation rental at…
June 6, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Police chief shares more funding, staffing concerns

Police chief shares more funding, staffing concerns

BRADENTON BEACH – An incident involving two Bradenton Beach police officers prompted Police Chief John Cosby to again voice concerns about the police department budget and staffing shortages. Duri…
June 6, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
BB seal

Rezoning would allow residential units above commercial

BRADENTON BEACH – The city is considering rezoning several residential properties between Second Street North and Cortez Road from multi-family residential to mixed use. Building Official Steve Gi…