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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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June 6, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed charter amendments won’t eliminate supra-majority votes

Proposed charter amendments won’t eliminate supra-majority votes

BRADENTON BEACH – Registered voters will see five charter amendment questions on their city ballots this fall. Two proposed charter amendments pertain to filling vacant commission seats and one pe…
June 5, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental owner responds to public nuisance declaration

Vacation rental owner responds to public nuisance declaration

ANNA MARIA – Property owner Mukesh Patel feels that city officials are overreaching in their efforts to declare his vacation rental home at 313 Magnolia Ave. a public nuisance because of repeat noise…
May 30, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Speed tables produce compliments and complaints

Speed tables produce compliments, complaints

ANNA MARIA – City officials want to reevaluate three speed tables recently installed in the 500, 600 and 800 blocks of South Bay Boulevard as part of a street paving project. On May 26, commission…
May 30, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Hunters Point developer sues Cortez Village Marina

Hunters Point developer sues Cortez Village Marina

CORTEZ – Hunters Point Resort & Marina has sued the neighboring Cortez Village Marina to keep it from using a canal where Cortez Village Marina claims Hunters Point should not be allowed to build…
May 29, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria taking vacation rental owners to court

Anna Maria taking vacation rental owners to court

ANNA MARIA – The city plans to file a lawsuit against the owners of a vacation rental home cited for five noise ordinance violations within a nine-month period. Located at 313 Magnolia Ave., the r…
May 24, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Planning board reviews 105 Elm right of way permit

Planning board reviews 105 Elm right of way permit

ANNA MARIA – The right of way permit application needed to build a beachfront home at 105 Elm Ave. has been reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board and is headed to the  city commission for a final…
May 22, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Noisy vacation rental home declared public nuisance

Noisy vacation rental home declared public nuisance

ANNA MARIA – Special Magistrate Jerry Buhr has declared a vacation rental home at 313 Magnolia Ave. to be a public nuisance due to repeated noise ordinance violations. The city of Anna Maria now p…
May 22, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Expanded outdoor seating remains in effect

Outdoor seating allowances remain in effect

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s expanded outdoor seating allowances for restaurants and bars will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. On May 19, the city commission reached the unanimous con…
May 17, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
FDEP releases Aqua mangrove trimming report

FDEP releases Aqua mangrove trimming report

MANATEE COUNTY – The mangroves on the Aqua property along Sarasota Bay were recently trimmed in compliance with state-issued permits, but the trimming notification process was not fully compliant, ac…
May 16, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
City receives one bid for Pine Avenue project

City receives one bid for Reimagining Pine Avenue project

ANNA MARIA – Sarasota-based C-Squared CGC Inc. is the only construction firm that submitted a bid proposal in response to the request for proposals (RFP) issued for the Reimagining Pine Avenue projec…
May 16, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Concert for Peace highlights local Campaign for Ukraine

Concert for Peace highlights local Campaign for Ukraine

ANNA MARIA – The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island, The Center of Anna Maria Island, Bob Slicker of Slicker’s Eatery, A Paradise Realty, Painting with a Twist and others are joining forces to assist t…
May 16, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
National Safe Boating Week emphasizes boater safety

National Safe Boating Week promotes water safety

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – National Safe Boating Week is a great time to have your watercraft inspected and brush up on how to stay safe while having fun on the water. Anna Maria resident and Anna Maria…
May 9, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Permitting efforts continue for 105 Elm Avenue

Permitting efforts continue for 105 Elm Ave.

UPDATED May 10, 2022 – ANNA MARIA – A silt fence has been erected on the undeveloped beachfront property at 105 Elm Ave., reigniting interest in an ongoing permitting process. Bradenton resident F…
May 9, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Incident sheds light on city’s policing challenges

Incident sheds light on city’s policing challenges

BRADENTON BEACH – A recent incident involving a stolen car, a stolen gun and a skirmish brought residents and police to city hall to tell commissioners about fear and inadequate funding. On April…
May 8, 2022
By Joe Hendricks
Residents request end of expanded outdoor seating

Residents request end of expanded outdoor seating

BRADENTON BEACH – Restaurant seating areas that expanded to sidewalks and parking lots because of the COVID-19 pandemic may be disappearing. During general public comment at the May 5 Bradenton Be…