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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 6, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Police boat lift project may lose funding

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) finds itself in a race against time to complete the long-desired installation of a police department boat lift next to the B…
September 5, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Seymour’s group selected for City Pier grill and bait shop

Seymour’s group selected for City Pier grill and bait shop

ANNA MARIA – The group consisting of Brian Seymour, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham is the city commission’s top choice to operate the City Pier grill and bait shop. During Friday’s emergency meeting…
August 31, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Revised Hunters Point plans increase home size

Revised Hunters Point plans increase home size

CORTEZ – Developer Marshall Gobuty plans to enlarge the homes in the proposed Hunters Point project in Cortez, but will not increase the proposed number of homes, he said. Gobuty, the founder and…
August 31, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Churches excluded from county’s face covering resolution

Churches excluded from county’s face-covering mandate

MANATEE COUNTY – Churches and all other houses of worship are now excluded from the mandatory face-covering provisions included in a recent Manatee County resolution. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, county c…
August 30, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bayfest 2020 postponed due to COVID concerns

Bayfest 2020 postponed due to COVID-19 concerns

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s 20th annual Bayfest celebration has been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chamber officials hoped to host a two-day Bay…
August 29, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Top two City Pier grill and bait shop bidders to be named

Top two City Pier grill and bait shop bidders to be named

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy plans to present city commissioners with a shortlist containing his top two recommended City Pier grill and bait shop bidders on Tuesday, Sept. 1. During the emergenc…
August 24, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria prepares to impose impact fees

Anna Maria prepares to impose impact fees

ANNA MARIA – Developers can expect to soon pay impact fees when building new structures or increasing the size of existing structures in Anna Maria. On Thursday, Aug. 27, Anna Maria City Commissio…
August 24, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed minimum wage increase would impact local restaurants

Proposed minimum wage increase would impact local restaurants

MANATEE COUNTY – In November, Florida voters will determine whether the mandatory minimum wage is raised to $10 an hour in 2021 and to $15 in 2026. Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) founder and Preside…
August 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Bradenton Beach confirms COVID-positive employee

BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach has confirmed that at least one city employee has tested positive for COVID-19. City Clerk Terri Sanclemente said the city will not identify the emplo…
August 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Former Mayor Bill Shearon passes away

Former Mayor Bill Shearon loses life to cancer

BRADENTON BEACH – Former Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon lost his life Thursday evening to cancer. After serving as a Planning and Zoning Board member and a city commissioner, Shearon was elect…
August 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Four bids received for City Pier grill and bait shop

Four bids eyeing City Pier grill and bait shop

UPDATED Aug. 22, 2020 – ANNA MARIA – Four local entrepreneurs interested in operating a grill and bait shop on the new City Pier have submitted bid proposals to the city of Anna Maria. The bid pro…
August 19, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
The Drift In is back in business again

The Drift In is back in business again

BRADENTON BEACH – The Drift In is open again and now offers a limited food menu. The Bradenton Beach bar reopened Friday, Aug. 14 after being ordered to close on Tuesday, Aug. 4. “They came in…
August 17, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Birthday celebrations benefit Blessing Bags Project

Birthday celebrations benefit Blessing Bags Project

CORTEZ – Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker and Blessing Bags Project President Betsy Plante celebrated their birthdays by helping others in need. The Swordfish Grill’s Wednesday, Aug. 12…
August 17, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria Elementary students return

UPDATED Aug. 17, 2020 – HOLMES BEACH – The first school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic began Monday morning as about 195 students showed up for the opening day of classes at Anna Maria Elementary Sc…
August 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
School district revises face covering policy and protocols

School district revises face covering policy

MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County School Board and School Superintendent Cynthia Saunders have revised the boards policy regarding cloth face coverings and plastic face shields for students, teache…