Skip to main content
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.
Email Joe Hendricks
February 25, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bortell’s Lounge poised for a comeback

Bortell’s Lounge poised for a comeback

ANNA MARIA – Extensive renovations will soon take place at Bortell’s Lounge and the popular Anna Maria watering hole is expected to reopen as early as June. Located at 10002 Gulf Drive, Bortell’s…
February 25, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bunny & Pirates adds to their bounty

Bunny & Pirates adds to their bounty

CORTEZ – The expanded business operations at Bunny & Pirates Bazaar now include the Skullywags Coffee Bar and Marketplace. The coffee bar and marketplace recently joined the live music, beer a…
February 18, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Sunshine defendant accused of violating mediation confidentiality

Sunshine defendant accused of violating mediation confidentiality

BRADENTON BEACH – On behalf of the city of Bradenton Beach, attorney Robert Watrous has filed a motion seeking to impose sanctions on Sunshine Law lawsuit defendant Reed Mapes. In July, Circuit Co…
February 17, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
City responds to Suncoast Waterkeeper water pollution concerns

City responds to Suncoast Waterkeeper pollution concerns

BRADENTON BEACH – On Monday, Feb. 17, the city of Bradenton Beach issued a press release in response to concerns raised in a Friday, Feb. 14 press release issued by the Suncoast Waterkeeper organizat…
February 17, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Pier opening delayed by electrical issues

Pier opening delayed by electrical issues

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the Anna Maria Commission are planning the opening ceremonies for the new City Pier, but the exact date of the opening remains unknown due to an electrical issue…
February 16, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
High enterococcus levels in Bradenton Beach waters cause for concern

High enterococcus levels cause for concern

BRADENTON BEACH – “Extremely high” pollution levels have been discovered at the Bradenton Beach bayfront, according to Suncoast Waterkeeper Executive Director Andy Mele and board Chair Joe McClash…
February 11, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Jason Sato tops county real estate rankings again

Jason Sato tops county real estate rankings again

ANNA MARIA – For the fifth consecutive year, Sato Real Estate’s Jason Sato was the top real estate agent in Manatee County in 2019 in combined total sales and listing volume. Duncan Real Estate ow…
February 11, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Portion of Gulf Drive will be reduced to one lane Tuesday

Gulf Drive lane closure delayed  

BRADENTON BEACH – Motorists can expect to encounter delays at some point next week if traveling on Gulf Drive near Fifth Street South and Sixth Street South in Bradenton Beach. The one-day lane cl…
February 9, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
County commission eliminates Aqua by the Bay stipulation

Commission eliminates Aqua by the Bay stipulation

BRADENTON – Manatee County commissioners have deleted a 2017 development stipulation that gave the commission and the public the ability to review the Aqua by the Bay development plans after the firs…
February 4, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Aqua by the Bay hearing is Thursday

Aqua by the Bay hearing Thursday

BRADENTON – On Thursday, Feb. 6, Manatee County Commissioners will discuss Aqua by the Bay developer Carlos Beruff’s request to delete a development stipulation included in the initial development ap…
February 3, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Vacation rental bills progressing

TALLAHASSEE – Two bills filed by Florida legislators during the 2020 legislative session seek to strip local governments of their ability to regulate vacation rentals. As was the case in recent ye…
January 27, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Carter and York named Citizens of the Year

Carter and York named Citizens of the Year

ANNA MARIA – Bob Carter and Dick York are the city of Anna Maria’s Citizens of the Year for 2019. Carter and York were selected by the Citizen Recognition Committee that consisted of Deputy City C…
January 24, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Starship lifts off at The Center

Starship lifts off at The Center

ANNA MARIA – Featuring Mickey Thomas on lead vocals, Starship put on a stellar concert at The Center of Anna Maria Island. Taking place inside The Center’s spacious gymnasium, Starship’s Thursday…
January 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Artists’ Guild erases boundaries with new exhibit

Artists’ Guild erases boundaries with new exhibit

BRADENTON – The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s 11th annual juried art exhibition, “Boundaries Erased,” is on display at ArtCenter Manatee in downtown Bradenton through Friday, Feb. 7. The e…
January 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Water line broken during undergrounding work

Water line broken during undergrounding work

BRADENTON BEACH – The Wilco construction crew doing the boring for burying the Bridge Street utility lines accidentally broke a water line Saturday afternoon on Bay Drive South. The accident happe…