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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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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…
December 12, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Chiles Group hosting annual kids’ Christmas party

Chiles Group hosting annual kids Christmas party

ANNA MARIA – The Chiles Group will host the 26th Annual Lawton Chiles Christmas for Kids Party on Wednesday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sandbar restaurant. Last year’s event was cancele…
December 10, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria bids fond farewell to Debbie Haynes

Anna Maria bids fond farewell to Debbie Haynes

ANNA MARIA – Deputy Clerk and Code Enforcement Manager Debbie Haynes was honored with a retirement luncheon on Friday, Dec. 3. Haynes was joined at the luncheon by several members of city staff in…
December 5, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Pine Avenue will be festive on Friday

Pine Avenue will be festive on Friday

ANNA MARIA – Pine Avenue will be awash in holiday festivities Friday afternoon and evening. The fun begins with the city of Anna Maria’s Santa Stops Here holiday event at City Pier Park on Friday, De…
December 5, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Cedar Avenue plant removals questioned and explained

Cedar Avenue plant removals questioned

ANNA MARIA – The plants and landscaping recently removed near the Cedar Avenue beach access will be replaced by new native plants and landscaping. On Saturday, Nov. 27, Anna Maria resident Dennis…
December 3, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Island resident seriously injured in golf cart/auto crash

Island resident seriously injured in golf cart/auto crash

HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria resident Jana Samuels was seriously injured late Monday morning in a head-on crash involving a car and the golf cart she was driving. The crash occurred on Monday, Nov. 2…
November 28, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
A Paradise Realty among those collecting Toys for Tots

A Paradise Realty among those collecting Toys for Tots

HOLMES BEACH – A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals will host a Holiday Open House that also serves as a Toys for Tots collection drive at their Holmes Beach office at 5201 Gulf Drive from 5-6:30 p…
November 28, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor presents Reimagining Pine Avenue timeline

Mayor presents Reimagining Pine Avenue timeline

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy is authorized to spend up to $125,000 for engineering and design services for the city’s Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project. On Wednesday, Nov. 17, Mu…
November 28, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Celebrate Christmas on Bridge Street and holiday boat parade

Celebrate Christmas on Bridge Street, holiday boat parade

BRADENTON BEACH – The annual Christmas on Bridge Street celebration and Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade are coming to town on Saturday, Dec. 4. The fun will happen at various locations…