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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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November 11, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
County advises AMI to shelter in place or voluntarily evacuate

County advises AMI to shelter in place or voluntarily evacuate

Updated Nov. 11, 2020 at 2 p.m. – ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As Tropical Storm Eta approaches, Manatee County public safety officials are recommending that Anna Maria Island residents shelter in place if po…
November 9, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Suspected murder-suicide crime scene to be demolished

Suspected murder-suicide crime scene to be demolished

BRADENTON BEACH – The triplex at 2514 Ave. C where a suspected murder-suicide recently occurred is permitted for demolition. According to a neighbor, a work crew was on the premises Monday morning…
November 9, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

84 COVID-19 cases reported on AMI

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Eighty-four COVID-19 cases have been reported on Anna Maria Island from March, when the pandemic began, through Sunday, Nov. 8, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Mana…
November 9, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Sunshine lawsuit defendants agree to pay city $350,000

Sunshine lawsuit defendants agree to pay city $350,000

BRADENTON BEACH – Sunshine Law lawsuit defendants John Metz and Tjet Martin have agreed to pay the city of Bradenton Beach $350,000 as partial reimbursement for the attorney’s fees the city has incur…
November 6, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
First COVID-19 case reported at Anna Maria Elementary

First COVID-19 case reported at Anna Maria Elementary

HOLMES BEACH – One Anna Maria Elementary (AME) School student has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the School District of Manatee County’s Nov. 2 COVID update. It is the first COVID-posi…
November 3, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach voters support conflicting parking garage amendments

Election results in for Bradenton Beach, Manatee County

BRADENTON BEACH – Voter approval of two conflicting parking garage amendments in the Nov. 3 election means that a prohibition of parking garages will not be added to the city charter. Running unop…
November 2, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Former commissioner returns as city's special magistrate

Former commissioner returns as city’s special magistrate

ANNA MARIA – Local attorney and former Anna Maria City Commissioner Chuck Webb is now serving as the city’s special magistrate. Attorney Karla Owens previously served in that role. Webb preside…
November 1, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Pandemic alters Moose kids’ Halloween party

Pandemic alters Moose kids’ Halloween party

BRADENTON BEACH – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge’s annual children’s Halloween party was a drive-thru affair this year. From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morni…
October 29, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Judge orders three Sunshine Law defendants to reimburse city

Judge orders three Sunshine Law defendants to reimburse city

BRADENTON BEACH – Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas has issued an order calling for Sunshine Law lawsuit defendants Reed Mapes, Tjet Martin and John Metz to potentially pay the cit…
October 26, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Florida Fishing Fleet snags Chamber golf tournament win

Florida Fishing Fleet snags Chamber golf tournament win

BRADENTON – The foursome of golfers representing the Cortez-based Florida Fishing Fleet won the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s 21st annual golf tournament. The tournament was held Friday…
October 26, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach enacting micromobility leasing moratorium

Bradenton Beach placing moratorium on leasing

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach City Commission is in the process of enacting a temporary 180-day moratorium on the leasing of micromobility devices that include three-wheeled autocycles and mo…
October 26, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
U.S. flag

Time running out to get vote-by-mail ballots in

MANATEE COUNTY – If you received a vote-by-mail ballot, you must return it in time for it to be received by the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office by Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., regardless…
October 26, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Details still pending in possible murder-suicide investigation

BRADENTON BEACH – As of today, no additional details have been provided on the possible murder-suicide discovered at 2514 Ave. C in Bradenton Beach on Saturday, Oct. 17. When contacted Monday, lea…
October 26, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Beach renourishment staging area concerns addressed

Beach renourishment staging area concerns addressed

BRADENTON BEACH – Gulf View condominium residents and rental owners Yvette and Harry Abrahamson say they appreciate the beach renourishment efforts, but they had been concerned about a staging area t…
October 18, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Possible murder-suicide under investigation

BRADENTON BEACH – A concerned father found his daughter and her roommate dead in their home on Saturday afternoon in what police say could be a case of murder-suicide. Bradenton Beach Police respo…