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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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April 5, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Second breach found at Piney Point

Additional leaks suspected at Piney Point

Updated Monday, April 5 at 5:45 p.m. – PALMETTO – Two more trouble spots have been identified by an infrared drone as engineers continue to drain wastewater into Tampa Bay from a pond in a seeping ph…
March 28, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach mayor declines Van Ostenbridge's meeting request

Holmes Beach mayor declines Van Ostenbridge’s meeting request

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth declined Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s request to meet and discuss the city’s past elimination of street-side parking spaces…
March 28, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Single mom mourns loss of family chickens

Single mom laments chicken-keeping prohibition

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria resident Jennifer Kaleta recently discovered the hard way that city code prohibits live chickens and chicken coops. During public comment at the March 25 Anna Maria City Co…
March 26, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Vaccination eligibility dropping to 40 and older

Vaccination eligibility dropping to age 40 and older

TALLAHASSEE – Florida residents age 40 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning on Monday, March 29, Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced. Those 18 and older will be eligible t…
March 22, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach joining Cortez Bridge lawsuit

Bradenton Beach joining Cortez Bridge lawsuit

BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach is joining plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit that opposes replacing the existing Cortez Bridge drawbridge with a fixed-span bridge. On Thursday, March 1…
March 22, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
FDLE: No crimes, Sunshine Law violations

FDLE: No crimes, Sunshine Law violations

Updated March 22, 2021 at 5:22 p.m. – MANATEE COUNTY – A Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) investigation found no evidence that four Manatee County commissioners committed crimes or violat…
March 21, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Acting county administrator’s job attracts 30 applicants

Acting county administrator’s job attracts 30 applicants

MANATEE COUNTY – Between March 8 and March 12, the Manatee County Human Resources Department received 30 resumes from individuals interested in serving as the acting county administrator. Austin R…
March 21, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
City, Mote Marine move forward on pier facility

City, Mote Marine move forward on pier facility

ANNA MARIA – Mote Marine is another step closer to opening its education center at the end of the City Pier. Mayor Dan Murphy and Mote Marine Laboratory President Dr. Michael Crosby signed a memor…
March 20, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Coryea looks forward to next professional adventure

Coryea looks forward to next professional adventure

MANATEE COUNTY – While the Manatee County Commission continues its search for an acting county administrator, former County Administrator Cheri Coryea has had a few weeks to decompress and evaluate h…
March 9, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Van Ostenbridge seeks Fifth Amendment protections

Van Ostenbridge to invoke Fifth Amendment in public records case

MANATEE COUNTY – County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge intends to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights when deposed under oath by Michael Barfield on Friday, March 12, according to court filings…
March 3, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
League of Women Voters fear county charter poses too much risk

League of Women Voters oppose county charter

MANATEE COUNTY – The League of Women Voters of Manatee County (LWV) no longer fully supports Manatee County becoming a charter government at this time. On Tuesday, the League issued a written statem…
March 2, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor to meet with Mote Marine representatives

Mayor to meet with Mote Marine representatives

ANNA MARIA – The city’s pursuit of a proposed Mote Marine educational outreach center on the City Pier continues. During the Thursday, Feb. 25 city commission meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy said he pla…
February 25, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Commission approves $204,000 separation agreement with Coryea

Commission approves $204,000 separation agreement with Coryea

BRADENTON – Cheri Coryea’s two-year tenure as county administrator ended Tuesday evening after the Manatee County Commission approved a $204,000 separation agreement earlier that day. Deputy Count…
February 24, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Vanessa Baugh named in ethics complaint

Baugh named in ethics complaint

BRADENTON – Manatee County resident Jennifer Hamey filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics Tuesday regarding County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh’s recent role in organizing a pop-up COV…
February 24, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Lakewood Ranch vaccinations trigger criminal investigation

Lakewood Ranch vaccinations trigger criminal investigation

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh’s role in the controversial Lakewood Ranch pop-up vaccination distribution site has prompted a sworn criminal complaint filed by Sarasota-ba…