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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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September 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Derelict sailboat removal expected soon

Derelict sailboat removal expected soon

ANNA MARIA – The large sailboat that’s been grounded offshore near the Anna Maria City Pier since mid-December is expected to be removed as early as this week. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservati…
September 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Swordfish Grill delivers hurricane relief supplies

Swordfish Grill delivers hurricane relief supplies

CORTEZ – Swordfish Grill managers Tom Polch, Adam Sears and Bob Slicker delivered a U-Haul trailer filled with donated hurricane relief supplies to the Water’s Edge Gathering church in Lake Charles…
September 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Tour of Lake Charles reveals hurricane damage

Tour of Lake Charles reveals Hurricane Laura’s damage

LAKE CHARLES, LA. – After delivering hurricane relief supplies Wednesday morning to this city hard hit by Hurricane Laura, Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker and The Sun toured the extensive…
September 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier grill and bait shop lease on track

City Pier grill and bait shop lease on track

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy says the City Pier grill and bait shop lease negotiations are going well with Brian Seymour and his partners, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham. On Thursday, Sept. 10, Murph…
September 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
State's reopening order of little consequence to Island bars

State’s reopening order of little consequence to Island bars

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) decision to allow Florida bars to reopen at 50% capacity Monday is not expected to have an impact on Anna M…
September 7, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez community assisting Lake Charles hurricane victims

Cortez community assisting Lake Charles hurricane victims

CORTEZ – The Blessing Bags Project, the Swordfish Grill and the Cortez and Bradenton communities have teamed up to assist with the hurricane recovery efforts taking place in Lake Charles, La. Hurr…
September 7, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach parking tram program starting soon

Bradenton Beach parking tram program starting soon

BRADENTON BEACH – The parking tram pilot program in Bradenton Beach is expected to begin service on Sunday, Nov. 1. The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members unanimously app…
September 6, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Police boat lift project may lose funding

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) finds itself in a race against time to complete the long-desired installation of a police department boat lift next to the B…
September 5, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Seymour’s group selected for City Pier grill and bait shop

Seymour’s group selected for City Pier grill and bait shop

ANNA MARIA – The group consisting of Brian Seymour, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham is the city commission’s top choice to operate the City Pier grill and bait shop. During Friday’s emergency meeting…
August 31, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Revised Hunters Point plans increase home size

Revised Hunters Point plans increase home size

CORTEZ – Developer Marshall Gobuty plans to enlarge the homes in the proposed Hunters Point project in Cortez, but will not increase the proposed number of homes, he said. Gobuty, the founder and…
August 31, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Churches excluded from county’s face covering resolution

Churches excluded from county’s face-covering mandate

MANATEE COUNTY – Churches and all other houses of worship are now excluded from the mandatory face-covering provisions included in a recent Manatee County resolution. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, county c…
August 30, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bayfest 2020 postponed due to COVID concerns

Bayfest 2020 postponed due to COVID-19 concerns

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s 20th annual Bayfest celebration has been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chamber officials hoped to host a two-day Bay…
August 29, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Top two City Pier grill and bait shop bidders to be named

Top two City Pier grill and bait shop bidders to be named

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy plans to present city commissioners with a shortlist containing his top two recommended City Pier grill and bait shop bidders on Tuesday, Sept. 1. During the emergenc…
August 24, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria prepares to impose impact fees

Anna Maria prepares to impose impact fees

ANNA MARIA – Developers can expect to soon pay impact fees when building new structures or increasing the size of existing structures in Anna Maria. On Thursday, Aug. 27, Anna Maria City Commissio…
August 24, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed minimum wage increase would impact local restaurants

Proposed minimum wage increase would impact local restaurants

MANATEE COUNTY – In November, Florida voters will determine whether the mandatory minimum wage is raised to $10 an hour in 2021 and to $15 in 2026. Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) founder and Preside…