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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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November 24, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Captain George’s lifelong journey comes to an end

Captain George’s lifelong journey comes to an end

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island lost a colorful character and a marine-loving soul with the recent passing of George “Captain George” Glaser. After battling numerous non-COVID-related health…
November 19, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
County commissioner assisting families displaced by fire

County commissioner assisting families displaced by fire

BRADENTON – District 3 Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge is leading the efforts to assist 16 families recently displaced by an apartment building fire. The fire occurred at the Aar…
November 15, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Light up Bradenton Beach kicking off Holidays in Paradise festivities

Light Up Bradenton Beach kicking off Holidays in Paradise festivities

BRADENTON BEACH – The “Light Up Bradenton Beach” Christmas tree-lighting ceremony will take place Saturday, Nov. 20 in the Bradenton Beach Post Office parking lot. Organized by participating Brade…
November 14, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Live Naturally specializes in CBD and hemp products

Live Naturally specializes in CBD and hemp products

HOLMES BEACH – Offering a wide variety of CBD products and more, Morgan and Ben Bryant recently celebrated the two-year anniversary of their Live Naturally store in Holmes Beach. The Holmes Beach…
November 12, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria pays tribute to veterans with parade and ceremony

Anna Maria pays tribute to veterans

ANNA MARIA – The city honored local veterans and their spouses with its Old Soldiers & Sailors Veterans Day parade and a post-parade recognition ceremony. Returning after a one-year absence du…
November 11, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
After 15 years, Two Scoops is still better than one

After 15 years, Two Scoops is still better than one

ANNA MARIA – In October, Two Scoops ice cream in Anna Maria celebrated its 15th anniversary. Two Scoops is located in the Bayview Plaza, at the end of Pine Avenue, across the street from the Anna…
November 8, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Participants sought for Veterans Day parade

Come out to the Veterans Day parade Thursday

ANNA MARIA – The city will host its annual “Old Soldiers & Sailors” Veterans Day parade on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m., this year featuring a warbird flyover. Last year’s parade and veterans c…
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…