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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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January 10, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
FDOT sidewalk still concerns city officials

FDOT sidewalk still concerns city officials

UPDATED JAN. 14, 2022 – BRADENTON BEACH – City officials are not yet willing to accept the maintenance responsibilities for the brick paver sidewalk the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in…
January 10, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Engineering underway for potential shoreline resiliency project

Engineering underway for potential shoreline resiliency project

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials do not support a barrier wall being included in the plans for a potential living shoreline/shoreline resiliency project along Bay Drive South. On Thursday, Jan. 6…
January 9, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Wing foil rider bitten by shark offshore of Anna Maria

Shark bites wing foil rider off Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – Erika Lane was bitten by a shark on Dec. 22 while wing-foiling in the waters near the Anna Maria City Pier. On Dec. 30, Lane shared a video recap of the incident on her YouTube ch…
January 4, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria: The Year in Review

Anna Maria: The Year in Review

ANNA MARIA – The pending Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvements and the pending Mote Educational Outreach Center were among the projects initiated in Anna Maria in 2021. The year was also mar…
January 4, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach: The Year in Review

Bradenton Beach: The Year in Review

BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach embarked on some important public projects in 2021 and also welcomed a familiar face as the city’s new police chief. January In January, the mayor and…
January 2, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria alternating parking switches soon

Anna Maria alternating parking switches soon

ANNA MARIA – The side of the street where street-side parking is allowed will soon change on several beach access streets. The alternating street-side parking changes will go into effect beginning…
January 2, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Bridge Street revelers usher in the new year

Bridge Street revelers usher in the new year

Bridge Street was the epicenter of the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Bradenton Beach. On a foggy Friday evening, the festivities extended all along the street as residents, locals and visitors welco…
December 27, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Retired firefighter to perform Citrus Bowl coin toss

Retired firefighter to perform Citrus Bowl coin toss

HOLMES BEACH – Vrbo (Vacation rental by owner) has selected Holmes Beach vacation rental owner Mike Wilcox to perform the coin toss at the Vrbo Citrus Bowl game in Orlando. The Vrbo Citrus Bowl ga…
December 22, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
City addressing Pine Avenue streetlight complaint

City addressing Pine Avenue streetlight complaint

ANNA MARIA – Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and Anna Maria resident Janis Ian waxed poetic when recently sharing her concerns about the glare coming off a new streetlight near her home on Pine Aven…
December 19, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Moose Lodge celebrates Christmas

AMI Moose Lodge celebrates Christmas

BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 welcomed Rudolph, Santa and other guests to its annual children’s Christmas party Saturday morning. Joined by parents and grandparents, more t…
December 18, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Chiles Group hosts Christmas party for underprivileged kids

Chiles Group hosts Christmas for Kids

ANNA MARIA – The Chiles Group’s 26th Annual Lawton Chiles Christmas for Kids Party brought holiday joy to 60 youngsters, many of whom were making their first visit to Anna Maria Island. The annual…
December 18, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point faces dock permit challenge

Hunters Point faces dock permit challenge

CORTEZ – The construction of the first Hunters Point Resort & Marina home is underway, but developer Marshall Gobuty is facing a dock-related permitting challenge from a neighboring marina owner…
December 13, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Brian Haddix benefit taking place Sunday

Brian Haddix benefit set for Sunday

CORTEZ – A fundraiser will be held for Brian “Hardcore” Haddix at Bunny & Pirates Bazaar on Sunday, Dec. 19 from noon until 5 p.m. Haddix, 52, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that has…
December 13, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Santa stops in Anna Maria

Santa stops in Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – The city hosted its inaugural Santa Stops Here holiday event Friday at City Pier Park. The city has hosted similar holiday events at the park in past years, but the Santa Stops Here e…
December 13, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Bright Holiday Lights contestants spread holiday cheer

Bright Holiday Lights contestants spread holiday cheer

ANNA MARIA – Carol and Larry Craft and the Anna Maria General Store have retained their previous rank as winners of the city’s 3rd Annual Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest. The winners were…