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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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August 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Bradenton Beach confirms COVID-positive employee

BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach has confirmed that at least one city employee has tested positive for COVID-19. City Clerk Terri Sanclemente said the city will not identify the emplo…
August 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Former Mayor Bill Shearon passes away

Former Mayor Bill Shearon loses life to cancer

BRADENTON BEACH – Former Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon lost his life Thursday evening to cancer. After serving as a Planning and Zoning Board member and a city commissioner, Shearon was elect…
August 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Four bids received for City Pier grill and bait shop

Four bids eyeing City Pier grill and bait shop

UPDATED Aug. 22, 2020 – ANNA MARIA – Four local entrepreneurs interested in operating a grill and bait shop on the new City Pier have submitted bid proposals to the city of Anna Maria. The bid pro…
August 19, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
The Drift In is back in business again

The Drift In is back in business again

BRADENTON BEACH – The Drift In is open again and now offers a limited food menu. The Bradenton Beach bar reopened Friday, Aug. 14 after being ordered to close on Tuesday, Aug. 4. “They came in…
August 17, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Birthday celebrations benefit Blessing Bags Project

Birthday celebrations benefit Blessing Bags Project

CORTEZ – Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker and Blessing Bags Project President Betsy Plante celebrated their birthdays by helping others in need. The Swordfish Grill’s Wednesday, Aug. 12…
August 17, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Anna Maria Elementary students return

UPDATED Aug. 17, 2020 – HOLMES BEACH – The first school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic began Monday morning as about 195 students showed up for the opening day of classes at Anna Maria Elementary Sc…
August 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
School district revises face covering policy and protocols

School district revises face covering policy

MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County School Board and School Superintendent Cynthia Saunders have revised the boards policy regarding cloth face coverings and plastic face shields for students, teache…
August 10, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
BB seal

Dueling parking garage amendments slated for fall ballot

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach voters will likely see two parking garage questions on their general election ballots this fall. Both parking garage questions are expected to be presented to cit…
August 9, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Grill and bait shop tenant sought for City Pier

Grill and bait shop tenant sought for City Pier

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a tenant to lease and operate a takeout grill and bait shop on the new City Pier. “The city of Anna Maria reque…
August 7, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Face coverings remain mandatory in Bradenton Beach

Face coverings remain mandatory in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH –  After a tie vote by the Bradenton Beach City Commission, face coverings remain mandatory inside Bradenton Beach businesses in accordance with Manatee County’s mandatory face-coveri…
August 4, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach to opt out of county face covering resolution

Bradenton Beach may opt out of county face covering resolution

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach City Commission has directed City Attorney Ricinda Perry to draft an emergency face-covering sign ordinance that would allow the city to opt out of the Manatee C…
August 3, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor vetoes amended alcoholic beverages ordinance

Mayor vetoes amended alcoholic beverages ordinance

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy today vetoed an alcoholic beverage ordinance adopted by the City Commission that would have required males to wear shirts or upper body coverings even in the outdoor are…
August 3, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Pastor and state representative challenge county mask mandate

Pastor and state representative challenge county mask mandate

BRADENTON – Representing Pastor Joel Tillis, attorney and state Rep. Anthony Sabatini (R-Clermont) announced this morning that a lawsuit has been filed challenging Manatee County’s mandatory face-cov…
August 1, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Commission rejects Ugly Grouper pier lease offer

Commission rejects Ugly Grouper pier lease offer

Updated Aug. 3, 2020 – ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Commission has rejected Ugly Grouper LLC’s offer to lease the city-owned restaurant and bait shop buildings on the new City Pier. Thursday n…
July 29, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Elementary leads county in brick and mortar learning option selections

AME leads county in choosing on-site learning

HOLMES BEACH – Eighty-two percent of Anna Maria Elementary school students plan to attend school using the in-person, brick-and-mortar learning option if the new school year begins on Monday, Aug. 17…