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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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August 10, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
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Dueling parking garage amendments slated for fall ballot

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach voters will likely see two parking garage questions on their general election ballots this fall. Both parking garage questions are expected to be presented to cit…
August 9, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Grill and bait shop tenant sought for City Pier

Grill and bait shop tenant sought for City Pier

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a tenant to lease and operate a takeout grill and bait shop on the new City Pier. “The city of Anna Maria reque…
August 7, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Face coverings remain mandatory in Bradenton Beach

Face coverings remain mandatory in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH –  After a tie vote by the Bradenton Beach City Commission, face coverings remain mandatory inside Bradenton Beach businesses in accordance with Manatee County’s mandatory face-coveri…
August 4, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach to opt out of county face covering resolution

Bradenton Beach may opt out of county face covering resolution

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach City Commission has directed City Attorney Ricinda Perry to draft an emergency face-covering sign ordinance that would allow the city to opt out of the Manatee C…
August 3, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor vetoes amended alcoholic beverages ordinance

Mayor vetoes amended alcoholic beverages ordinance

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy today vetoed an alcoholic beverage ordinance adopted by the City Commission that would have required males to wear shirts or upper body coverings even in the outdoor are…
August 3, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Pastor and state representative challenge county mask mandate

Pastor and state representative challenge county mask mandate

BRADENTON – Representing Pastor Joel Tillis, attorney and state Rep. Anthony Sabatini (R-Clermont) announced this morning that a lawsuit has been filed challenging Manatee County’s mandatory face-cov…
August 1, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Commission rejects Ugly Grouper pier lease offer

Commission rejects Ugly Grouper pier lease offer

Updated Aug. 3, 2020 – ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Commission has rejected Ugly Grouper LLC’s offer to lease the city-owned restaurant and bait shop buildings on the new City Pier. Thursday n…
July 29, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Elementary leads county in brick and mortar learning option selections

AME leads county in choosing on-site learning

HOLMES BEACH – Eighty-two percent of Anna Maria Elementary school students plan to attend school using the in-person, brick-and-mortar learning option if the new school year begins on Monday, Aug. 17…
July 27, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
County Commission adopts mandatory mask resolution

County Commission adopts mandatory mask resolution

UPDATED July 27 at 11:15 p.m. – MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County now has a mandatory face-covering resolution in place. On Monday, county commissioners voted 4-3 in favor of adopting and implementi…
July 26, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
County commissioners to vote on mandatory face coverings Monday

County commissioners to vote on mandatory masks Monday

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County commissioners are expected to vote on whether to mandate face coverings countywide on Monday, July 27. Monday’s meeting will take place at the Bradenton Area Conven…
July 25, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

School district releases learning option selections

UPDATED July 26, 2020 – MANATEE COUNTY – The School District of Manatee County has determined the percentages of middle school and high school students who intend to begin the school year using in-pe…
July 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Gail Garneau honored as retirement nears

Gail Garneau honored as retirement nears

BRADENTON BEACH – Longtime Bradenton Beach Code Enforcement Officer Gail Garneau is retiring at the end of the month, with July 31 being her final day. On behalf of the city and the city commissio…
July 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

City officials question ‘Make a Break For It’ ad

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials expressed concerns about an advertisement the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) recently ran in the Miami Herald that encouraged south Floridians to…
July 15, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Schools scheduled to reopen on Aug. 17

MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County School Board voted 3-2 to start the school year on Monday, Aug. 17. The previously discussed reopening plan called for schools to open on  Monday, Aug. 10 and t…
July 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Bradenton Beach City Commission now recommends masks

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach City Commission now recommends, but does not require, that masks or face coverings be worn in Bradenton Beach. The Bradenton Beach Commission engaged in its f…