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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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February 8, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Eating like a champion at Harry’s Grill

Eating like a champion at Harry’s Grill

ANNA MARIA – Professional eater and bodybuilder Randy Santel is bringing his competitive eating talents to Harry’s Grill in Anna Maria. As part of his 2021 February Florida Food Challenge tour, Sa…
February 8, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
2021 vacation rental registration fees set

2021 vacation rental registration fees set

ANNA MARIA – Vacation rental owners in Anna Maria will be charged $58.52 per occupant allowed when paying their 2021 vacation rental registration fees. The 2021 registration fees were established…
February 8, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez Bridge replacement starting soon than expected

Cortez Bridge replacement starting sooner than expected

Updated Feb. 8, 2021 at 12:15 p.m. – CORTEZ – A new, high-rise Cortez Bridge is coming and it may be sooner than you think. Florida Department of Transportation officials confirmed that constructi…
February 3, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez Bridge slated for construction in 2026-27

Cortez Bridge slated for construction in 2025-26

Updated Feb. 5, 2021 at 5:21 p.m. – CORTEZ – Construction on a new, 65-foot-tall fixed span Cortez Bridge is now expected to begin during the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) 2026-27 fis…
February 1, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
BridgeWalk resort enforcing reserved parking spaces

BridgeWalk resort enforcing reserved parking spaces

BRADENTON BEACH – Drivers should pay close attention to the signs when parking in front of the BridgeWalk resort in Bradenton Beach. BridgeWalk resort owner Angela Rodocker has received additional…
January 31, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Dogs on beaches concern city officials

Dogs on beaches concern city officials

ANNA MARIA – Dogs on the beach are a growing concern in Anna Maria. City officials believe the steady stream of tourists, the lack of verification requirements for service dogs and dog-friendly sh…
January 31, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Kruse discloses affair, seeks Coryea’s termination

Kruse discloses extramarital affair, seeks Coryea’s termination

MANATEE COUNTY – County Commissioner George Kruse last week called for County Administrator Cheri Coryea’s termination. During the discussion, Kruse admitted having an extramarital affair, saying…
January 25, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Public input sought on future pier building use

Public input sought on future pier building use

ANNA MARIA – The public will soon be given a chance to provide input on the future use of the currently vacant City Pier building. The city of Anna Maria will host a public meeting on the City Pie…
January 25, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Tour boat refueling garners no city support

Tour boat refueling garners no city support

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach commissioners do not want Paradise Boat Tours to continue refueling at the county-owned barge dock near Longboat Pass. The mayor and commissioners took this posit…
January 25, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Trawler’s oil tank found, fuel tank possibly missing

Trawler’s oil tank found, fuel tank possibly missing

ANNA MARIA – The used oil storage tank from the shrimp trawler that sank offshore of Anna Maria on Jan. 8 has been recovered, but there may still be a fuel tank missing, according to Mayor Dan Murphy…
January 24, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Legislators again seek state regulation of vacation rentals

Legislators again seek state regulation of vacation rentals

ANNA MARIA – Florida Sen. Manny Diaz (R-Hialeah) and Florida Rep. Jason Fischer (R-Jacksonville) are once again trying to take away local governments’ ability to regulate vacation rentals and vacatio…
January 20, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
2020 a banner year for real estate sales on AMI

2020 a banner year for real estate sales on AMI

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – In the midst of a global pandemic, 2020 was a stellar year for Anna Maria Island real estate agents. For the sixth consecutive year, Sato Real Estate Realtor, broker and co-own…
January 18, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
WMFR responds to fire at Cortez Cove Marina

WMFR responds to fire at Cortez Cove Marina

CORTEZ – At about 3:45 p.m. Monday afternoon, personnel from West Manatee Fire Rescue and Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue responded to a boat fire at the Cortez Cove Marina, 4522 121st St. W. in Cort…
January 18, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
City officials ponder hoverboard prohibitions

City officials ponder hoverboard prohibitions

ANNA MARIA – City officials are pursuing an ordinance that would prohibit riding bicycles, scooters, skateboards, hoverboards and Onewheel devices on Anna Maria beaches. The proposed ordinance wou…
January 15, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Search continues for sunken trawler’s oil storage tank

Search continues for sunken trawler’s oil storage tank

ANNA MARIA – About 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel have been removed from the hull of the commercial shrimp trawler that recently sank offshore of Anna Maria, but concerns linger regarding a still-missi…