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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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October 27, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach commission seats to be decided Nov. 4

Holmes Beach commission seats to be decided Nov. 4

HOLMES BEACH – The three winners in the four-candidate Holmes Beach City Commission race will be known after in-person voting concludes on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Carol Soustek, Terry Schae­fer, Steve Oelf…
October 27, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
City Block Party celebrates the community’s continued recovery

City Block Party celebrates the community’s continued recovery

ANNA MARIA – An estimated 150 people, and maybe more, attended the City Block Party at City Pier Park on Oct. 24. Hosted by the city of Anna Maria from 5-8 p.m. and blessed with beautiful weather, t…
October 27, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier buildings emptied

City Pier buildings emptied

ANNA MARIA – The hurricane-damaged contents of the city-owned buildings at the T-end of the City Pier have been removed. The content removal is the first step of cleaning, remedi­ating and repairing…
October 27, 2025
By Joe Hendricks

Center Scoreboard: Basketball, Soccer

ADULT BASKETBALL WEEK 4 MI-Box 20, 17, 21 (1-2-1) Slim’s Place 20, 21, 19 (1-2-1) Salty Printing Win by Forfeit (1-3-0) Solid Rock Construction Forfeit (2-2-0) Island Lumber 22, 21, 22 (3-1-0) Brad…
October 22, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Police chief addresses campaign sign thefts

Police chief addresses campaign sign thefts

HOLMES BEACH – Police Chief Bill Tokajer reminds everyone that it’s illegal to remove a political campaign sign from someone else’s property. According to Tokajer, all four Holmes Beach City Commiss…
October 21, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Kids’ Halloween party returns to AMI Moose Lodge

Kids’ Halloween party returns to AMI Moose Lodge

BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge 2188 was filled with the sights and sounds of Halloween during the annual kids’ Halloween party on Saturday. This year’s party took on greater signifi…
October 21, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Duncan Real Estate celebrates return to Pine Avenue

Duncan Real Estate celebrates return to Pine Avenue

ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate celebrated the recent reopening of its hurricane-damaged Anna Maria office with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a champagne toast, Chick-fil-A appetizers and the 7 Better D…
October 21, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Crowds welcome back Bayfest

Crowds welcome back Bayfest

ANNA MARIA – Beautiful weather, classic cars, live music, a wide array of vendors and great attendance made for a successful Bayfest celebration after last year’s festival was canceled due to the dam…
October 21, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
The Feast approved for additional outdoor seating

The Feast approved for additional outdoor seating

HOLMES BEACH – City commis­sioners unanimously approved a request from The Feast restaurant owners to expand their outdoor seat­ing capacity from eight to 28 seats. City commissioners approved the r…
October 15, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
County Marine Unit supervisor retiring

County Marine Unit supervisor retiring

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Marine Unit Supervisor Russell Schnering is retiring at age 55 and Oct. 31 will be his final day of active duty. Schnering spent the past eigh…
October 15, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Getman honored for Bean Point water rescue

Getman honored for Bean Point water rescue

ANNA MARIA – Sgt. Brett Getman, leader of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Anna Maria Unit, received the deputy of the month award for his role in the recent rescue of two swimmers at Bean…
October 14, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Community Farmers Market opens in new location

Community Farmers Market opens in new location

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Com­munity Farmers Market made its season debut in a new location on Oct. 7. The weekly market that operated last year at The Center of Anna Maria Island, and previously…
October 14, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Century-old cottage preserved, relocated

Century-old cottage preserved, relocated

ANNA MARIA – A cottage dating back to the 1920s was relocated on Oct. 8 and will be repur­posed as a real estate office. The cottage at 160 Willow Ave., formerly owned by Lisa Knoop, was moved to th…
October 14, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
County defers to city on pier ferry plan

County defers to city on pier ferry plan

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Mark Short told city commissioners that Manatee County officials will respect the city’s wishes regarding the design and instal­lation of a county-funded ferry landing alongside th…
October 10, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Belle Haven cottage celebrates grand reopening

Belle Haven cottage celebrates grand reopening

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Society celebrated the grand reopening of the historic Belle Haven cottage on Oct. 1 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by the Anna Maria Island Ch…