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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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July 5, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Island legend Bob “Coop” Cooper passes away

Island legend Bob “Coop” Cooper passes away

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island lost a beloved figure with the passing of Bob “Coop” Cooper on Saturday, July 3. Cooper passed away at Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton, where he spent the final weeks…
July 4, 2021
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria, Manatee County declare state of emergency for Elsa

UPDATED JULY 4, 2021 at 2:32 p.m. – ANNA MARIA – Due to the approach of what was then Hurricane Elsa, the Anna Maria City Commission declared a preemptive local state of emergency Friday afternoon…
July 4, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Fishing tournament to benefit AMOB summer reading program

Fishing tournament to benefit AMOB summer reading program

BRADENTON BEACH – The second annual West Coast Bottom Brawl fishing tournament launches Thursday to benefit the Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB)’s annual Dive Into Reading summer reading program. Host…
July 4, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Citizens weigh in on Reimagining Pine Avenue

Citizens weigh in on “Reimagining Pine Avenue”

ANNA MARIA – The ongoing efforts to “Reimagine Pine Avenue” may or may not include transforming Pine Avenue into a one-way street. That possibility was among the many alternatives discussed at the…
July 4, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Baugh reaches settlement in public records lawsuit

Baugh reaches settlement in public records lawsuit

BRADENTON – County Commission Chair Vanessa Baugh has reached a settlement with paralegal Michael Barfield regarding the Public Records Act lawsuit Barfield filed in December. On June 19, Baugh si…
June 28, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Island community raises more than $33,000 for Courtney Call’s son

Island community raises $33,000 for Courtney Call’s son

HOLMES BEACH – A fundraiser held at the Anchor Inn raised more than $33,000 for the teenage son of longtime Anna Maria Island resident and bartender Courtney Call. Call, 42, passed away unexpected…
June 28, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Muscatello vacates seat, short-term successor sought

Muscatello vacates seat, short-term successor sought

ANNA MARIA – Country roads are taking City Commissioner Joe Muscatello home. “I’m going back,” Muscatello said as he presented the mayor and commissioners with parting gifts bearing the likeness o…
June 27, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Public input sought on “Reimagining Pine Avenue”

Public input sought on ‘Reimagining Pine Avenue’

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria will host the first of three “Reimagining Pine Avenue” town hall-style public information meetings on Thursday, July 1. Taking place at city hall and open to th…
June 22, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach zoning board completes map revision review

Bradenton Beach zoning board completes map revision review

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z) has completed its preliminary review of several proposed future land use and/or zoning map revisions. The revisions could…
June 20, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Property owners open to replacing Australian pines at city’s expense

Property owners open to replacing Australian pines at city’s expense

BRADENTON BEACH – Michael and Nadya Kelly have responded to criticisms and concerns city officials recently expressed regarding their beachfront home and property at 402 Gulf Drive. The city’s con…
June 20, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Cell tower panel failure revives safety concerns

Cell tower panel failure revives safety concerns

BRADENTON BEACH – An exterior panel fell off the cell tower in Bradenton Beach on June 15 and the tower again requires repairs and panel upgrades. Erected in 2015 and located on property leased fr…
June 13, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Island loses a dear friend in Courtney Call

Island loses a dear friend in Courtney Call

HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Island lost a good friend with the recent passing of Courtney Call. Call, 43, was a Holmes Beach resident who spent several years working as a bartender at the Anchor Inn…
June 13, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
County commission supports Mote Marine on City Pier

County commission supports Mote Marine on City Pier

ANNA MARIA – The Manatee County Commission supports the city of Anna Maria’s request to use $500,000 in tourist tax funds to create a Mote Marine Education Outreach Center on the City Pier. On Tue…
June 12, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Privateers’ Fourth of July parade moved to July 3

Privateers’ Fourth of July parade moved to July 3

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Fourth of July Parade originally scheduled for Sunday, July 4 will now take place Saturday, July 3 instead. The schedule change was requested…
June 9, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
County commission supports Bradenton Beach dock expansion project

County commission supports Bradenton Beach dock expansion project

BRADENTON BEACH – The Manatee County Commission is providing up to $850,000 in matching funds for Bradenton Beach’s dock expansion project. The county commission approved the city’s funding reques…