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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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January 11, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Shipwreck debris removed, fuel containment and salvage efforts continue

Shipwreck debris removed; fuel containment, salvage efforts continue

ANNA MARIA – The cleanup of the shipwreck debris field along the Anna Maria shoreline is mostly complete. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three commercial fishermen from a 70-foot commercial fishing…
January 11, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
CRA parking tram remains a work in progress

CRA parking tram remains a work in progress

BRADENTON BEACH – Refinements to the recently launched parking tram pilot program are sought by the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) that’s funding it. The intent of the pilot…
January 10, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Privateers invade city hall

AMI Privateers invade City Hall

BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Privateers staged a friendly fundraising invasion of Bradenton Beach City Hall Friday evening. The invading Privateers captured City Commissioner Jake Spoon…
January 9, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Coast Guard rescues three commercial fishermen near AMI

Fishermen rescued; fuel, debris spilled near AMI

ANNA MARIA – The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three mariners from a 70-foot commercial fishing vessel that took on water and ran aground Friday evening in rough seas two miles west of Anna Maria Island…
January 4, 2021
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria: 2020 in Review

ANNA MARIA – The opening of the new Anna Maria City Pier and the subsequent opening of the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop were among the top Anna Maria news stories in 2020. Mayor Dan Murphy also…
January 4, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
BB seal

Bradenton Beach: 2020 in Review

BRADENTON BEACH – Four tragic non-COVID-related deaths were among the top Bradenton Beach stories in 2020. Tragic deaths On Saturday, Oct. 17, Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale, Det. Sgt. L…
January 3, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Roser Food Pantry receives $30,000 donation

Roser Food Pantry receives $30,000 donation

ANNA MARIA – On the final day of 2020, the Roser Food Pantry received a $30,000 check from the Mayors Feed the Hungry organization. On Thursday, Dec. 31, Mayors Feed the Hungry Chairman Joel Swall…
December 29, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Jack Brennan shares Sun’s Person of the Year honors

Jack Brennan shares Sun Person of the Year honors

ANNA MARIA – Roser Food Pantry chairman Jack Brennan is one of those people who feels obliged to take on tasks others are unwilling or unable to do. In addition to chairing the food pantry, Brenna…
December 28, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Commissioner Van Ostenbridge produces call log

Commissioner Van Ostenbridge produces call log

MANATEE COUNTY – County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge has provided paralegal Michael Barfield with a call log that details calls made and received on his personal phone. As the District 3 cou…
December 28, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Coquina Beach renourishment slated for early 2021

Coquina Beach renourishment slated for early 2021

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County has a FEMA-funded, county-managed beach renourishment project planned for Coquina Beach in early 2021. The county is also partnering with the Town of Longboat Key o…
December 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Tour boat refueling operations debated

Tour boat refueling operations debated

BRADENTON BEACH – Paradise Boat Tours General Manager Sherman Baldwin questions the county’s request that he no longer refuel his tour boat at the county-owned loading dock near Longboat Pass. The…
December 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bright Holiday Lights contest winners celebrated

Bright Holiday Lights contest winners celebrated

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has named four winners in this year’s Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest. On Friday, two winners were announced in the residential category and two winner…
December 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Moose Lodge hosts drive-thru Christmas party

Moose Lodge hosts drive-thru Christmas party

BRADENTON BEACH – Santa, Rudolph the female reindeer and Tommy the Moose were on hand for the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge’s drive-thru Christmas party. From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morn…
December 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria resident provides Christmas bikes

Anna Maria resident provides Christmas bikes

ANNA MARIA – Carl Augostini thinks every kid should have a bike, and he spends his own time and money trying to make that happen. Each year, Augostini and Charles Wade team up to provide bikes to…
December 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier Grill & Bait Shop celebrates opening

City Pier Grill & Bait Shop celebrates opening

ANNA MARIA – The City Pier Grill & Bait Shop is open. Operating at the T-end of the new Anna Maria City Pier, in space leased from the city of Anna Maria, the new grill and bait shop opened at…