Skip to main content
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.
Email Joe Hendricks
November 7, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Chiles Group commissions turtle-themed mural

Chiles Group commissions turtle-themed mural

ANNA MARIA – Featuring an image of a giant sea turtle, a new seascape-themed mural now graces an exterior wall of the old post office plaza in Anna Maria. Located near the intersection of Gulf Dri…
November 2, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County voters support additional 1-mill school tax

Manatee County voters support continuance of 1-mill school tax

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County voters overwhelmingly approved the continuation of the additional 1 mill property tax county voters first passed in 2018. One mill equates to a property owner payin…
November 2, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach mayors race

Chappie re-elected mayor, term limits remain in place

BRADENTON BEACH – Voters have re-elected John Chappie as the city’s mayor. Chappie will serve a third consecutive term as mayor and his sixth overall. Running unopposed, incumbent city commissione…
November 1, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Commission to reconsider Reimagining Pine Avenue parking reductions

Commission to reconsider Pine Avenue parking reductions

ANNA MARIA – City officials are reconsidering the elimination of 53 parallel parking spaces in the Reimagining Pine Avenue project. During a special commission meeting on Monday, Oct. 25, the divi…
October 30, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Chappie and Galuszka discuss mayor’s race and city issues

Chappie and Galuszka discuss mayor’s race and city issues

BRADENTON BEACH – Barring a tied vote or some other complication, the winner of the Bradenton Beach mayor’s race will be known Tuesday evening after in-person voting concludes at 7 p.m. In-person…
October 28, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Runaway Bay condos hit with massive property insurance increase

Runaway Bay condos hit with massive property insurance increase

BRADENTON BEACH – The Runaway Bay Condominium Homeowners Association is experiencing a 337% increase in its annual property insurance premiums, an increase that may eventually be felt by other condo…
October 25, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
FDOT stresses patience during sidewalk replacement project

FDOT stresses patience during sidewalk replacement project

BRADENTON BEACH – The Florida Department of Transportation’s installation of a brick paver sidewalk along Gulf Drive North was temporarily complicated by a broken water pipe. The construction acci…
October 18, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Funding finalized for Mote Marine facility on City Pier

Funding finalized for Mote Marine facility on City Pier

ANNA MARIA – The Manatee County Commission has officially authorized an interlocal agreement that provides the city of Anna Maria with $500,000 for the buildout and installation of the Mote Education…
October 17, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria farmers market returns

Anna Maria farmers market returns

ANNA MARIA – The city’s seasonal farmers market returned on Tuesday, Oct. 12 to shoppers eager for fresh produce. The weekly market takes place every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather perm…
October 11, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Holiday boat parade plans taking shape

Holiday boat parade plans taking shape

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach Marina owner and president Mike Bazzy has presented his preliminary plans for the third annual Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade taking place Saturday, Dec…
October 10, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
FDOT sidewalk project concerns Bradenton Beach officials

FDOT sidewalk project concerns Bradenton Beach officials

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials share some lingering concerns about the permeable brick paver sidewalk the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is installing along Gulf Drive. The concerns…
October 3, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach mayoral candidates discuss city issues

Bradenton Beach mayoral candidates discuss city issues

BRADENTON BEACH – Voters will soon decide whether incumbent John Chappie or challenger David Galuszka serves as the city’s next mayor. The mayor’s race will conclude with in-person voting at the B…
September 30, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria and Mote Marine reach pier lease agreement

Anna Maria and Mote Marine reach pier lease agreement

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria and Mote Marine Laboratory have entered into a 10-year lease agreement for the installation and operation of the Mote Educational Outreach Center on the City Pier…
September 26, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Reimagining Pine Avenue will not include one-way streets

Reimagining Pine Avenue will not include one-way streets

ANNA MARIA – One-way streets will not be part of the Reimagining Pine Avenue safety and traffic improvements being discussed by Anna Maria city commissioners. The commission reached that 5-0 decis…
September 26, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
David Marshall’s legacy honored

David Marshall’s legacy honored

BRADENTON BEACH – The life and legacy of longtime Bradenton Beach resident David Marshall was memorialized and celebrated on Saturday. Marshall, 74, was struck by a car while crossing the street n…