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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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December 5, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Liveaboard boater found dead

Liveaboard boater found dead

BRADENTON BEACH – Liveaboard boater Jerald Joseph Oliver, 60, was found dead and floating in the water at the Bradenton Beach Marina on Wednesday. Oliver’s body was discovered by marina employee A…
November 30, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier Grill opening soon

City Pier Grill opening soon

ANNA MARIA – The City Pier Grill could open this week or next, according to Brian Seymour, who will operate the business with partners Nick Graham and Vic Mattay. The exact opening date will be an…
November 30, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria formalizes public parking reductions

Anna Maria formalizes public parking reductions

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria’s previous elimination of 88 public parking spaces has been formalized by the adoption of Ordinance 20-877. Thirty-seven of the permanently eliminated parking s…
November 30, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria commissioner returns from COVID-19 illness

Anna Maria commissioner returns from COVID-19 illness

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria City Commissioner Joe Muscatello has recovered from his recent COVID-19 infection. During the Tuesday, Nov. 24 city commission meeting, Muscatello discussed his COVID exper…
November 30, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed Coryea termination prompts procedural concerns

Proposed Coryea termination prompts concerns, objections

MANATEE COUNTY – Efforts to fire County Administrator Cheri Coryea have prompted objections and procedural concerns should the commission decide to terminate her from the position. Newly-elected c…
November 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Chamber, Rotary honor businesses

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce has named its Businesses of the Year and its nonprofit organization of 2021. In conjunction, the Rotary Club of Anna Maria has named i…
November 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
BB seal

Bradenton Beach Commission accepts Sunshine Law settlements

Updated Nov. 29, 2020 – BRADENTON BEACH – The city has received a $350,000 settlement agreement payment from former Sunshine Law lawsuit defendants John Metz and Tjet Martin. The city has also rec…
November 22, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Sunshine Law expert seeks records from four county commissioners

Sunshine Law expert seeks records from county commissioners

Updated Nov. 23, 2020 – BRADENTON – Thursday’s Manatee County Commission discussion about potentially terminating County Administrator Cheri Coryea has triggered a public records request from Florida…
November 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Van Ostenbridge proposes terminating county administrator

Van Ostenbridge proposes terminating county administrator

Updated Nov. 23, 2020 – BRADENTON – Newly-elected District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge initiated an effort on Thursday to terminate County Administrator Cheri Coryea. The Manatee County C…
November 18, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Commissioner seeks county defense against federal COVID-19 shutdown

Commissioner seeks county defense against potential federal shutdown

MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County Commission is scheduled Thursday morning to discuss its options in the event that a federal shutdown of the economy is ordered in response to the ongoing COVID-19…
November 18, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
New county commissioner reignites Holmes Beach parking dispute

New county commissioner warns Holmes Beach of parking concerns

PALMETTO – During his first day as a Manatee County commissioner, Kevin Van Ostenbridge warned that the city of Holmes Beach risks losing beach renourishment funding if they don’t restore recently-re…
November 16, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria Island reaches 100 COVID-19 cases

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The number of COVID-19 cases reported on the Island has reached 100. The cases date back to the beginning of the pandemic in March through Monday, Nov. 16, according to the Flo…
November 16, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
‘Sacrificial sand’ the primary goal of beach renourishment

‘Sacrificial sand’ the primary goal of beach renourishment

Updated Nov. 23, 2020 – ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Before the arrival of Tropical Storm Eta, Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker shared his thoughts on the anticipated loss…
November 16, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach man electrocuted during Tropical Storm Eta

Bradenton Beach man electrocuted during Tropical Storm Eta

Updated Nov. 16, 2020 – BRADENTON BEACH – Longtime Island resident Mark Mixon died Wednesday evening from an accidental electrical shock he received during Tropical Storm Eta. According to Det. Sg…
November 12, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
AMI, Manatee County incur minimal damage during Tropical Storm Eta

AMI, Manatee County incur minimal damage during Tropical Storm Eta

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island escaped serious property damage from Tropical Storm Eta, however, a life was lost. On Wednesday evening, longtime local insurance agent Mark Mixon was electrocuted a…