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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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October 12, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

City seeks legal opinion from attorney general

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Commission seeks an opinion from the Florida Attorney General’s office as to whether the same company can serve as project engineer and project inspector on the same…
October 11, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

City Pier Grill anticipates November opening

ANNA MARIA – Barring any unforeseen circumstances, The City Pier Grill is still on track to open on Friday, Nov. 20. Also featuring a bait shop, The City Pier Grill will be operated by GSM Partner…
October 4, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Two parking garage questions on Bradenton Beach ballot

BRADENTON BEACH – With vote-by-mail ballots already being cast, Bradenton Beach voters have begun deciding whether the city charter will prohibit or allow parking garages. The Bradenton Beach ball…
October 4, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Abandoned sailboat removal still awaited

Abandoned sailboat removal still awaited

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy is frustrated with the lack of action regarding the removal of a derelict sailboat southeast of the new City Pier. The large, multi-hulled, partially sunken sailboat…
October 2, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria mayor issues two mask-related orders

Anna Maria mayor issues two face mask orders

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy issued two new emergency orders today regarding COVID-19 and face coverings. One order serves notice that an individual who refuses to wear a face mask or face coveri…
September 29, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
County face covering mandate rescinded, repealed

County face-covering mandate rescinded, repealed

MANATEE COUNTY – The mandatory face-covering requirement in Manatee County is no longer in effect as of today. Manatee County recommends, but no longer requires, face coverings to be worn inside b…
September 28, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Daiquiri Deck manager pleads not guilty to grand theft

Daiquiri Deck manager pleads not guilty to grand theft

BRADENTON BEACH – Daiquiri Deck manager and Sarasota resident Tabatha Lynne Dondanville, 27, has entered a plea of not guilty to a felony charge of grand theft. According to Manatee County Court r…
September 28, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Extra postage required for vote-by-mail ballots

Extra postage required for vote-by-mail ballots

MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office has begun sending out vote-by-mail ballots to those who requested them, and returning a ballot by mail will require additional posta…
September 28, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Police department boat lift now in place

Police department boat lift now in place

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Police Department now has quicker access to the water thanks to the new boat lift installed next to the Bridge Street Pier. Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Li…
September 28, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Restaurants and bars allowed full capacity

Restaurants and bars allowed full capacity

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – For the first time since March 17, restaurants and bars on and around Anna Maria Island and throughout Florida can operate at 100% capacity. During Friday’s press conference in…
September 26, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier Grill lease finalized

City Pier Grill lease terms finalized

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria and GSM Partners LLC have reached an agreement that allows Nick Graham, Brian Seymour and Vic Mattay to operate the City Pier Grill on the new City Pier. Operat…
September 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
County mask exemption formalized, lawsuit dropped

Church mask exemption formalized, lawsuit dropped

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County’s COVID-19 face-covering mandate has been formally amended to no longer apply to churches and other houses of worship, and a lawsuit challenging the mandate has been d…
September 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Skincare boutique seeks beer and wine service

Skincare boutique seeks beer and wine service

BRADENTON BEACH – The new Leah Chavie Skincare boutique at 115 Third St. S. hopes to soon serve beer and wine to its patrons. On Thursday, Sept. 17, the city commission authorized Building Officia…
September 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Airbnb suspends rental listings at ‘party houses’

Airbnb suspends rental listings at ‘party houses’

BRADENTON BEACH – Airbnb has announced a crackdown on “party houses” throughout Florida that includes suspending Airbnb listings for an unknown number of vacation rentals in Bradenton Beach. “As a…
September 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Police department boat lift back on track

Police department boat lift back on track

BRADENTON BEACH – Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift has repositioned and repaired the floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier and expects to complete the installation of a boat lift for the B…