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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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September 28, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Extra postage required for vote-by-mail ballots

Extra postage required for vote-by-mail ballots

MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office has begun sending out vote-by-mail ballots to those who requested them, and returning a ballot by mail will require additional posta…
September 28, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Police department boat lift now in place

Police department boat lift now in place

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Police Department now has quicker access to the water thanks to the new boat lift installed next to the Bridge Street Pier. Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Li…
September 28, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Restaurants and bars allowed full capacity

Restaurants and bars allowed full capacity

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – For the first time since March 17, restaurants and bars on and around Anna Maria Island and throughout Florida can operate at 100% capacity. During Friday’s press conference in…
September 26, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier Grill lease finalized

City Pier Grill lease terms finalized

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria and GSM Partners LLC have reached an agreement that allows Nick Graham, Brian Seymour and Vic Mattay to operate the City Pier Grill on the new City Pier. Operat…
September 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
County mask exemption formalized, lawsuit dropped

Church mask exemption formalized, lawsuit dropped

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County’s COVID-19 face-covering mandate has been formally amended to no longer apply to churches and other houses of worship, and a lawsuit challenging the mandate has been d…
September 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Skincare boutique seeks beer and wine service

Skincare boutique seeks beer and wine service

BRADENTON BEACH – The new Leah Chavie Skincare boutique at 115 Third St. S. hopes to soon serve beer and wine to its patrons. On Thursday, Sept. 17, the city commission authorized Building Officia…
September 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Airbnb suspends rental listings at ‘party houses’

Airbnb suspends rental listings at ‘party houses’

BRADENTON BEACH – Airbnb has announced a crackdown on “party houses” throughout Florida that includes suspending Airbnb listings for an unknown number of vacation rentals in Bradenton Beach. “As a…
September 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Police department boat lift back on track

Police department boat lift back on track

BRADENTON BEACH – Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift has repositioned and repaired the floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier and expects to complete the installation of a boat lift for the B…
September 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Derelict sailboat removal expected soon

Derelict sailboat removal expected soon

ANNA MARIA – The large sailboat that’s been grounded offshore near the Anna Maria City Pier since mid-December is expected to be removed as early as this week. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservati…
September 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Swordfish Grill delivers hurricane relief supplies

Swordfish Grill delivers hurricane relief supplies

CORTEZ – Swordfish Grill managers Tom Polch, Adam Sears and Bob Slicker delivered a U-Haul trailer filled with donated hurricane relief supplies to the Water’s Edge Gathering church in Lake Charles…
September 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Tour of Lake Charles reveals hurricane damage

Tour of Lake Charles reveals Hurricane Laura’s damage

LAKE CHARLES, LA. – After delivering hurricane relief supplies Wednesday morning to this city hard hit by Hurricane Laura, Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker and The Sun toured the extensive…
September 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier grill and bait shop lease on track

City Pier grill and bait shop lease on track

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy says the City Pier grill and bait shop lease negotiations are going well with Brian Seymour and his partners, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham. On Thursday, Sept. 10, Murph…
September 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
State's reopening order of little consequence to Island bars

State’s reopening order of little consequence to Island bars

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) decision to allow Florida bars to reopen at 50% capacity Monday is not expected to have an impact on Anna M…
September 7, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez community assisting Lake Charles hurricane victims

Cortez community assisting Lake Charles hurricane victims

CORTEZ – The Blessing Bags Project, the Swordfish Grill and the Cortez and Bradenton communities have teamed up to assist with the hurricane recovery efforts taking place in Lake Charles, La. Hurr…
September 7, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach parking tram program starting soon

Bradenton Beach parking tram program starting soon

BRADENTON BEACH – The parking tram pilot program in Bradenton Beach is expected to begin service on Sunday, Nov. 1. The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members unanimously app…