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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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May 4, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some

Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach and Manatee Beach are open again. By order of the Manatee County Commission, the county beaches and beach parking lots on Anna Maria Island reopened…
May 4, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental owner issues plea to mayor

Vacation rental owner issues plea to mayor

ANNA MARIA – Vacation rental owner Carolyn Hodgson is among those who are upset that vacation rental operations are still prohibited in Florida because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Gov…
May 4, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
More details emerge on COVID-19 nursing home deaths

More details emerge on COVID-19 nursing home deaths

MANATEE COUNTY – The Braden River Rehabilitation Center and the Riviera Palms Rehabilitation Center rank among the highest in Florida in COVID-19 deaths at nursing homes and assisted living facilitie…
April 30, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Governor's reopening plan allows sit-down dining, but not bars or vacation rentals

DeSantis: Restaurants, retail can open; vacation rentals cannot

TALLAHASSEE – Vacation rentals must remain shuttered while restaurants and retail stores can partially open under phase one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new plan to reopen Florida’s economy. Set forth in…
April 28, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County beaches reopening Monday

Manatee County beaches reopening Monday

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatee County’s public beaches will reopen Monday morning. During today’s emergency county commission meeting, Manatee County Commissioners voted 7-0 in favor of reopening the…
April 27, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Pier lease bids to be discussed at special meeting

Pier lease bids to be discussed at special meeting

ANNA MARIA – The details contained in the two pier lease bid proposals opened in early April are expected to be made public at a special city commission meeting on Wednesday, May 6 at 2 p.m. Thad…
April 27, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Building moratorium expires this week

ANNA MARIA – The 60-day emergency building moratorium enacted on March 4 will expire on Wednesday, May 6. The Anna Maria City Commission reached this decision with a 3-2 vote during the commission…
April 25, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Two long-term care facilities in Manatee County reported more than 100 COVID-19 cases

Two long-term care facilities in Manatee County report more than 100 COVID-19 cases

MANATEE COUNTY – Two nursing homes in Manatee County owned by the same company accounted for more than 100 reported COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, April 21, according to Dr. Jennifer Bencie. Bencie…
April 24, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County increases COVID-19 testing capacities

Manatee County increases COVID-19 testing capacities

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County residents now have access to six COVID-19 test sites and more test kits are now available. On Tuesday, county commissioners authorized County Administrator Cheri Co…
April 22, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
County officials trying to address testing shortages

County officials trying to address testing shortages

MANATEE COUNTY – County officials and the Manatee County Health Department are trying to address a critical shortage of (COVID-19) specimen collection kits. On Tuesday, Manatee County Commissioner…
April 22, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

COVID-19 claims former county commissioner

MANATEE COUNTY – Former County Commissioner Gwendolyn Brown passed away last week due to COVID-19. Brown was Manatee County’s first black county commissioner and the county’s first black commissio…
April 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County curfew lifted

Manatee County curfew lifted today

MANATEE COUNTY – This morning, Manatee County Commissioners voted 4-3 to lift the county curfew enacted on April 3 and extended on April 10 and April 17. The curfew has been in effect from 11 p.m…
April 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Commission to consider ending building moratorium

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the Anna Maria City Commission will discuss the possibility of ending the emergency building moratorium on Thursday, April 23. According to the meeting agenda, th…
April 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Coleman concerned about Island’s unemployed workforce

Coleman concerned about Island’s unemployed workforce

ANNA MARIA – Like many members of Anna Maria Island’s business community, Mike Coleman is concerned about the impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having on the diverse group of Island emplo…
April 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

County curfew extended until Tuesday

MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County Commission voted 4-3 on Friday, April 17 to extend the county’s curfew until Tuesday, April 21, when it was set to be discussed again at the regular Tuesday commis…