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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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June 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Coquina Beach improvements require more Australian pine removals

More Australian pine removals at Coquina

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County commissioners have approved the phase two Coquina Beach drainage improvement plans that call for the removal of 87 additional Australian pine trees. Native trees w…
June 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria City Pier opening brings joy to the community

Anna Maria City Pier opening sends community spirit soaring

ANNA MARIA – The new $6.8 million Anna Maria City Pier opened Friday morning at 8 a.m. when 6-year-old Sadie Agnelli swung open the gate at the foot of the pier. The new pier is now open on a limi…
June 15, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Brad Lisk’s life celebrated in true Island style

Brad Lisk’s life celebrated in true Island style

HOLMES BEACH – The life and legacy of longtime Island resident and Dcoy Ducks’ bartender Brad Lisk was celebrated Saturday with a boat brigade, an ash spreading ceremony in the Gulf of Mexico and an…
June 15, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria City Pier opens Friday

Anna Maria City Pier opens Friday

Updated June 18 at 11:45 p.m. ANNA MARIA – The new Anna Maria City Pier will reopen at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 19, and Mayor Dan Murphy and city Commissioners Carol Carter and Amy Tripp will be among…
June 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Bower, Van Ostenbridge will square off in November

Updated June 18, 2020 at 10:22 a.m. MANATEE COUNTY – The winner of the District 3 Manatee County Commission race between non-party-affiliated candidate Matt Bower and Republican candidate Keven Van O…
June 8, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Island celebrates bar reopenings

Island celebrates bar reopenings

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Florida bars reopened Friday and the Anchor Inn in Holmes Beach was the first one on Anna Maria Island to restart its business. Anchor Inn owners Darla and Bobby Tingler hosted…
June 1, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Protestors peacefully take to Bradenton streets

Protestors peacefully take to Bradenton streets

BRADENTON – Inspired by the recent death of George Floyd and the actions of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, a peaceful but impassioned protest occurred in downtown Bradenton Sunday afternoo…
May 31, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Schoenfelder seeks $65,000 to terminate pier lease early

Schoenfelder seeks $65,000 to end pier lease early

ANNA MARIA – Current City Pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder is requesting a $65,000 settlement in exchange for the early termination of his pier lease agreement that expires Dec. 15. In response to S…
May 30, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria City Pier opening June 19

Anna Maria City Pier set to open June 19

ANNA MARIA – The soft opening of the new Anna Maria City Pier is scheduled for Friday, June 19. Mayor Dan Murphy proposed the soft opening to city commissioners on Thursday, May 28 and the commiss…
May 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Short-term vacation rentals reopen for holiday weekend

Short-term vacation rentals reopen for holiday weekend

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island’s short-term vacation rentals were allowed to reopen in time for Memorial Day weekend, with some restrictions. On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Ron DeSantis and th…
May 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Island bar owners, bartenders protest continued closures

Island bar owners, bartenders protest continued closures

BRADENTON – Members of Anna Maria Island’s bar industry joined their peers in protesting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to keep Florida’s bars and nightclubs closed. The Tuesday, May 19 protest took…
May 17, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
DeSantis expands reopening plans, opens door for vacation rentals

DeSantis expands reopening plans, opens door for vacation rentals

JACKSONVILLE – Florida restaurants can increase their indoor seating capacity from 25% to 50% beginning Monday. Retail operations can increase their capacity from 25% to 50% and gyms and fitness c…
May 11, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Reopening weekend gets off to a fast start

Reopening weekend gets off to a fast start  

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – A tour of Anna Maria Island on Saturday revealed an Island wasting no time trying to return to normal as the first weekend of the governor’s phase one reopening plan unfolded…
May 10, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Sean Murphy withdraws his pier lease bid

Sean Murphy withdraws his pier lease bid

ANNA MARIA – Restaurateur Sean Murphy has withdrawn his bid proposal to lease the city-owned restaurant and bait shop buildings at the end of the new Anna Maria City Pier. Today, Sean Murphy sent…
May 9, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Commission will discuss rescinding pier lease decision

Commission to reconsider pier lease decision

ANNA MARIA – On Wednesday, the Anna Maria City Commission voted 4-1 in favor of authorizing Mayor Dan Murphy to begin pier lease negotiations with restaurateur Sean Murphy. Next Thursday, May 14…