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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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May 17, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
‘Reimagining Pine Avenue’ study approved

‘Reimagining Pine Avenue’ study approved

ANNA MARIA – Pine Avenue may soon be in for a traffic and safety-related makeover. The city of Anna Maria is contracting an engineering firm to conduct a detailed traffic and safety study of the P…
May 10, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach map revision discussions continue

Bradenton Beach rezoning discussions continue

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z) has made several more recommendations regarding potential zoning and future land use map revisions. The proposed revisions…
May 9, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Satcher and Van Ostenbridge settle public records lawsuit

Satcher, Van Ostenbridge settle public records lawsuit

MANATEE COUNTY – County Commissioners James Satcher and Kevin Van Ostenbridge have reached a $6,000 settlement with paralegal Michael Barfield in the lawsuit he filed regarding Public Records Act com…
May 3, 2021
By Joe Hendricks

DeSantis suspends local COVID-19 orders

ST. PETERSBURG – Local government emergency orders regarding COVID-19 have been invalidated statewide under an executive order that Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Monday, May 3. At a press conference in…
May 3, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental bills defeated

Vacation rental bills defeated

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Legislature’s latest attempt to give the state sole authority over vacation rental regulations has failed. When the Legislature concluded its 2021 session last Friday, tw…
May 2, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Map revisions could impact Bradenton Beach property owners

Map revisions could impact Bradenton Beach property owners

UPDATED May 5, 2021 at 3:15 P.M. – BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s ongoing efforts to resolve inconsistencies between its future land use and zoning maps could potentially impact property values and the…
May 2, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Boat and personal watercraft collide near Longboat Pass

Boat, personal watercraft collide near Longboat Pass

UPDATED May 3 at 1:20 p.m. – BRADENTON BEACH – While operating a tour boat for Paradise Boat Tours on Sunday, Captain John (Mike) Draayom helped pull a male and a female from the Intracoastal Waterwa…
April 26, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
TDC supports Bradenton Beach dock expansion

TDC supports Bradenton Beach dock expansion

BRADENTON BEACH – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) is supporting the city’s funding request for the expansion of the public dock near the Bridge Street Pier. The request, from…
April 26, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
County moving forward with Piney Point deep injection well

County approves Piney Point deep injection well contractor

MANATEE COUNTY – County commissioners have approved a construction agreement for a deep injection well as part of the efforts to permanently close the Piney Point property. Located in Palmetto, ne…
April 19, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
TDC supports Mote Marine on City Pier

TDC supports Mote Marine on City Pier

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy is one step closer to securing the $500,000 needed to design and install the Mote Marine Education Outreach Center on the Anna Maria City Pier. Today, the Manatee Cou…
April 19, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Governor orders permanent closure of Piney Point

Governor orders permanent closure of Piney Point

PALMETTO – State leaders are committing financial resources for the ongoing Piney Point response efforts and the implementation of a long-term plan to permanently close the property. The Piney Poi…
April 12, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Piney Point crisis averted, environmental concerns grow

Piney Point crisis averted; environmental concerns grow

PALMETTO – The wastewater discharge into Tampa Bay from a breached Piney Point retention pond near Port Manatee stopped Friday, April 9, but concerns are growing regarding the potential environmental…
April 12, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
News banners help promote Old Town Tram

New banners help promote Old Town Tram

BRADENTON BEACH – Banners are now in place as part of the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) ongoing efforts to make more people aware of the free Old Town Tram service. The fr…
April 12, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
City seeks $31,645 from last Sunshine Law lawsuit defendant

City seeks $31,645 from last Sunshine Law lawsuit defendant

BRADENTON BEACH – The city is seeking $31,645 in attorney fees, paralegal fees and legal costs from lawsuit defendant Reed Mapes. Mapes is the only defendant who has not settled with the city in t…
April 6, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
County says Piney Point crisis is “under control”

County says Piney Point crisis is “under control”

PALMETTO – County and state officials believe they now have the Piney Point crisis under control. During today’s 4 p.m. press conference, acting County Administrator Scott Hopes said, “This has be…