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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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May 29, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
City seeks expanded construction restrictions on holiday weekends

City seeks expanded construction restrictions on holiday weekends

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has begun the process of enacting additional restrictions for construction activities on extended holiday weekends. On Thursday, May 27, City Attorney Becky Vos…
May 29, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria providing $25,000 to The Center

Anna Maria providing $25,000 to The Center

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria is providing The Center of Anna Maria Island with $25,000 in annual funding. On Thursday, May 27, the city commission unanimously supported Mayor Dan Murphy’s r…
May 28, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Moose Lodge’s new kitchen now open

AMI Moose Lodge’s new kitchen opens

BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 has a new kitchen that’s open for business for members and guests. Located in Bradenton Beach, the Moose Lodge’s new kitchen features a 6-…
May 25, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach commission proposes eliminating term limits

Bradenton Beach commission proposes eliminating term limits

BRADENTON BEACH – In the upcoming fall elections, Bradenton Beach voters will again be asked if they want to eliminate the term limits currently imposed on the city’s elected mayor and city commissio…
May 24, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Duncan selected for dock expansion project

Duncan selected for dock expansion project

BRADENTON BEACH – Sarasota-based Duncan Seawall, Dock and Boat Lifts is the Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) first choice to install finger piers to the floating dock next to the Bridge Street…
May 24, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria hosting Memorial Day Patriotic Symphony Salute

Anna Maria hosting Memorial Day Patriotic Symphony Salute

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria will host its annual Memorial Day Patriotic Symphony Salute at City Pier Park on Monday, May 31. City Pier Park is located across the street from the Anna Maria…
May 18, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Judge orders Mapes to pay city $19,760

Judge orders Mapes to pay city $19,760

BRADENTON BEACH – Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas has ordered Sunshine Law lawsuit defendant Reed Mapes to pay the city of Bradenton Beach $19,760. According to the written ruling Nicholas iss…
May 18, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Van Ostenbridge, Satcher being reimbursed for attorney fees

Van Ostenbridge, Satcher being reimbursed for attorney fees

UPDATED Monday, May 24, 2021 at 11:40 a.m. – MANATEE COUNTY – County commissioners Kevin Van Ostenbridge and James Satcher will be reimbursed for the attorney fees and legal expenses they incurred as…
May 17, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
‘Reimagining Pine Avenue’ study approved

‘Reimagining Pine Avenue’ study approved

ANNA MARIA – Pine Avenue may soon be in for a traffic and safety-related makeover. The city of Anna Maria is contracting an engineering firm to conduct a detailed traffic and safety study of the P…
May 10, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach map revision discussions continue

Bradenton Beach rezoning discussions continue

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z) has made several more recommendations regarding potential zoning and future land use map revisions. The proposed revisions…
May 9, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Satcher and Van Ostenbridge settle public records lawsuit

Satcher, Van Ostenbridge settle public records lawsuit

MANATEE COUNTY – County Commissioners James Satcher and Kevin Van Ostenbridge have reached a $6,000 settlement with paralegal Michael Barfield in the lawsuit he filed regarding Public Records Act com…
May 3, 2021
By Joe Hendricks

DeSantis suspends local COVID-19 orders

ST. PETERSBURG – Local government emergency orders regarding COVID-19 have been invalidated statewide under an executive order that Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Monday, May 3. At a press conference in…
May 3, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental bills defeated

Vacation rental bills defeated

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Legislature’s latest attempt to give the state sole authority over vacation rental regulations has failed. When the Legislature concluded its 2021 session last Friday, tw…
May 2, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Map revisions could impact Bradenton Beach property owners

Map revisions could impact Bradenton Beach property owners

UPDATED May 5, 2021 at 3:15 P.M. – BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s ongoing efforts to resolve inconsistencies between its future land use and zoning maps could potentially impact property values and the…
May 2, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Boat and personal watercraft collide near Longboat Pass

Boat, personal watercraft collide near Longboat Pass

UPDATED May 3 at 1:20 p.m. – BRADENTON BEACH – While operating a tour boat for Paradise Boat Tours on Sunday, Captain John (Mike) Draayom helped pull a male and a female from the Intracoastal Waterwa…