Skip to main content
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.
Email Joe Hendricks
January 25, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Tour boat refueling garners no city support

Tour boat refueling garners no city support

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach commissioners do not want Paradise Boat Tours to continue refueling at the county-owned barge dock near Longboat Pass. The mayor and commissioners took this posit…
January 25, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Trawler’s oil tank found, fuel tank possibly missing

Trawler’s oil tank found, fuel tank possibly missing

ANNA MARIA – The used oil storage tank from the shrimp trawler that sank offshore of Anna Maria on Jan. 8 has been recovered, but there may still be a fuel tank missing, according to Mayor Dan Murphy…
January 24, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Legislators again seek state regulation of vacation rentals

Legislators again seek state regulation of vacation rentals

ANNA MARIA – Florida Sen. Manny Diaz (R-Hialeah) and Florida Rep. Jason Fischer (R-Jacksonville) are once again trying to take away local governments’ ability to regulate vacation rentals and vacatio…
January 20, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
2020 a banner year for real estate sales on AMI

2020 a banner year for real estate sales on AMI

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – In the midst of a global pandemic, 2020 was a stellar year for Anna Maria Island real estate agents. For the sixth consecutive year, Sato Real Estate Realtor, broker and co-own…
January 18, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
WMFR responds to fire at Cortez Cove Marina

WMFR responds to fire at Cortez Cove Marina

CORTEZ – At about 3:45 p.m. Monday afternoon, personnel from West Manatee Fire Rescue and Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue responded to a boat fire at the Cortez Cove Marina, 4522 121st St. W. in Cort…
January 18, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
City officials ponder hoverboard prohibitions

City officials ponder hoverboard prohibitions

ANNA MARIA – City officials are pursuing an ordinance that would prohibit riding bicycles, scooters, skateboards, hoverboards and Onewheel devices on Anna Maria beaches. The proposed ordinance wou…
January 15, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Search continues for sunken trawler’s oil storage tank

Search continues for sunken trawler’s oil storage tank

ANNA MARIA – About 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel have been removed from the hull of the commercial shrimp trawler that recently sank offshore of Anna Maria, but concerns linger regarding a still-missi…
January 11, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Shipwreck debris removed, fuel containment and salvage efforts continue

Shipwreck debris removed; fuel containment, salvage efforts continue

ANNA MARIA – The cleanup of the shipwreck debris field along the Anna Maria shoreline is mostly complete. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three commercial fishermen from a 70-foot commercial fishing…
January 11, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
CRA parking tram remains a work in progress

CRA parking tram remains a work in progress

BRADENTON BEACH – Refinements to the recently launched parking tram pilot program are sought by the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) that’s funding it. The intent of the pilot…
January 10, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
AMI Privateers invade city hall

AMI Privateers invade City Hall

BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Privateers staged a friendly fundraising invasion of Bradenton Beach City Hall Friday evening. The invading Privateers captured City Commissioner Jake Spoon…
January 9, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Coast Guard rescues three commercial fishermen near AMI

Fishermen rescued; fuel, debris spilled near AMI

ANNA MARIA – The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three mariners from a 70-foot commercial fishing vessel that took on water and ran aground Friday evening in rough seas two miles west of Anna Maria Island…
January 4, 2021
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria: 2020 in Review

ANNA MARIA – The opening of the new Anna Maria City Pier and the subsequent opening of the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop were among the top Anna Maria news stories in 2020. Mayor Dan Murphy also…
January 4, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
BB seal

Bradenton Beach: 2020 in Review

BRADENTON BEACH – Four tragic non-COVID-related deaths were among the top Bradenton Beach stories in 2020. Tragic deaths On Saturday, Oct. 17, Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale, Det. Sgt. L…
January 3, 2021
By Joe Hendricks
Roser Food Pantry receives $30,000 donation

Roser Food Pantry receives $30,000 donation

ANNA MARIA – On the final day of 2020, the Roser Food Pantry received a $30,000 check from the Mayors Feed the Hungry organization. On Thursday, Dec. 31, Mayors Feed the Hungry Chairman Joel Swall…
December 29, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Jack Brennan shares Sun’s Person of the Year honors

Jack Brennan shares Sun Person of the Year honors

ANNA MARIA – Roser Food Pantry chairman Jack Brennan is one of those people who feels obliged to take on tasks others are unwilling or unable to do. In addition to chairing the food pantry, Brenna…