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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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February 22, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
City pursues Mote Marine pier proposal

City pursues Mote Marine pier proposal

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have asked Mayor Dan Murphy to approach Mote Marine for a final proposal outlining its plans to create a Marine Educational Outreach Center at the end of the City Pier…
February 21, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
COVID Ribbon Memorial honors Florida’s deceased

COVID Ribbon Memorial honors Florida’s deceased

ANNA MARIA – Spanning more than 250 yards and representing the life of each Floridian who has died of COVID-19, the COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida was unveiled Tuesday morning. Comprised of a co…
February 15, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Slicker's Eatery opens in Cortez

Slicker’s Eatery opens in Cortez

CORTEZ – Owned and operated by Bob Slicker, Slicker’s Eatery is now open. Located at 12012 Cortez Road W., Slicker’s latest culinary adventure set sail on Tuesday, Feb. 9 with a ribbon-cutting cer…
February 15, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Mote Marine proposes City Pier education and outreach center

Mote Marine proposes City Pier Marine Educational Outreach Center

ANNA MARIA – No decision has been made, but Mote Marine has emerged as the leading candidate to occupy the vacant building on the Anna Maria City Pier. Representatives from the Sarasota-based Mote…
February 15, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Old Town Tram requires better promotion and consistency

Old Town Tram requires promotion, consistency

BRADENTON BEACH – The Old Town Tram parking shuttle program has reached an early crossroads in terms of advertising revenues, route consistency and other concerns. Launched as an experimental pilo…
February 10, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
COVID Ribbon Memorial to honor those lost

COVID Ribbon Memorial to honor those lost

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria resident, photographer and artist Cathy Tobias and others are creating a public art installation that memorializes Floridians who lost their lives to COVID-19. Those lives…
February 8, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Cities oppose Manatee becoming a charter county

Cities oppose Manatee becoming a charter county

MANATEE COUNTY – City officials representing the three city governments on Anna Maria Island oppose County Commissioner George Kruse’s desire for Manatee County to become a charter county. Governm…
February 8, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Eating like a champion at Harry’s Grill

Eating like a champion at Harry’s Grill

ANNA MARIA – Professional eater and bodybuilder Randy Santel is bringing his competitive eating talents to Harry’s Grill in Anna Maria. As part of his 2021 February Florida Food Challenge tour, Sa…
February 8, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
2021 vacation rental registration fees set

2021 vacation rental registration fees set

ANNA MARIA – Vacation rental owners in Anna Maria will be charged $58.52 per occupant allowed when paying their 2021 vacation rental registration fees. The 2021 registration fees were established…
February 8, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez Bridge replacement starting soon than expected

Cortez Bridge replacement starting sooner than expected

Updated Feb. 8, 2021 at 12:15 p.m. – CORTEZ – A new, high-rise Cortez Bridge is coming and it may be sooner than you think. Florida Department of Transportation officials confirmed that constructi…
February 3, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez Bridge slated for construction in 2026-27

Cortez Bridge slated for construction in 2025-26

Updated Feb. 5, 2021 at 5:21 p.m. – CORTEZ – Construction on a new, 65-foot-tall fixed span Cortez Bridge is now expected to begin during the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) 2026-27 fis…
February 1, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
BridgeWalk resort enforcing reserved parking spaces

BridgeWalk resort enforcing reserved parking spaces

BRADENTON BEACH – Drivers should pay close attention to the signs when parking in front of the BridgeWalk resort in Bradenton Beach. BridgeWalk resort owner Angela Rodocker has received additional…
January 31, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Dogs on beaches concern city officials

Dogs on beaches concern city officials

ANNA MARIA – Dogs on the beach are a growing concern in Anna Maria. City officials believe the steady stream of tourists, the lack of verification requirements for service dogs and dog-friendly sh…
January 31, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Kruse discloses affair, seeks Coryea’s termination

Kruse discloses extramarital affair, seeks Coryea’s termination

MANATEE COUNTY – County Commissioner George Kruse last week called for County Administrator Cheri Coryea’s termination. During the discussion, Kruse admitted having an extramarital affair, saying…
January 25, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Public input sought on future pier building use

Public input sought on future pier building use

ANNA MARIA – The public will soon be given a chance to provide input on the future use of the currently vacant City Pier building. The city of Anna Maria will host a public meeting on the City Pie…