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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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June 30, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Masks remain optional in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach City Commission is not mandating that masks and face coverings be worn and there are no plans to close the county beaches during the Fourth of July weekend. D…
June 29, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Smoking prohibited on new City Pier

Smoking prohibited on new City Pier

ANNA MARIA – Smoking is now prohibited on the new Anna Maria City Pier. Dogs, bicycles and alcohol were already prohibited on the pier, and these new and existing prohibitions are being addressed…
June 29, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

First COVID-19 case reported in Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – According to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), the first positive COVID-19 case in Anna Maria became known on Friday, June 26. The case appeared on the Saturday, June 27…
June 29, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Devon Straight named Officer of the Year

Devon Straight named Officer of the Year

BRADENTON BEACH – Devon Straight is the Bradenton Beach Police Department’s Officer of the Year. “I’ve prepared for my law enforcement career for as long as I can remember and I’m more than honore…
June 26, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Island bars ordered to close again

Anna Maria Island bars ordered to close again

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On Friday, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) enacted an emergency order that once again prohibits bars, pubs, night clubs and other non-restaur…
June 25, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria enacts mandatory mask order

Anna Maria enacts mandatory mask order

UPDATED June 28, 2020 at 2:41 p.m. ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Commission has enacted a seven-day emergency order that mandates face masks be worn inside spaces beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday…
June 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
County commission has no plans to make masks mandatory

County commission has no plans to make masks mandatory

MANATEE COUNTY – This afternoon, Manatee County commissioners informally discussed face masks as they pertain to the COVID-19 pandemic, but no commissioner proposed making masks mandatory or pursuing…
June 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Coquina Beach improvements require more Australian pine removals

More Australian pine removals at Coquina

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County commissioners have approved the phase two Coquina Beach drainage improvement plans that call for the removal of 87 additional Australian pine trees. Native trees w…
June 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria City Pier opening brings joy to the community

Anna Maria City Pier opening sends community spirit soaring

ANNA MARIA – The new $6.8 million Anna Maria City Pier opened Friday morning at 8 a.m. when 6-year-old Sadie Agnelli swung open the gate at the foot of the pier. The new pier is now open on a limi…
June 15, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Brad Lisk’s life celebrated in true Island style

Brad Lisk’s life celebrated in true Island style

HOLMES BEACH – The life and legacy of longtime Island resident and Dcoy Ducks’ bartender Brad Lisk was celebrated Saturday with a boat brigade, an ash spreading ceremony in the Gulf of Mexico and an…
June 15, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria City Pier opens Friday

Anna Maria City Pier opens Friday

Updated June 18 at 11:45 p.m. ANNA MARIA – The new Anna Maria City Pier will reopen at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 19, and Mayor Dan Murphy and city Commissioners Carol Carter and Amy Tripp will be among…
June 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Bower, Van Ostenbridge will square off in November

Updated June 18, 2020 at 10:22 a.m. MANATEE COUNTY – The winner of the District 3 Manatee County Commission race between non-party-affiliated candidate Matt Bower and Republican candidate Keven Van O…
June 8, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Island celebrates bar reopenings

Island celebrates bar reopenings

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Florida bars reopened Friday and the Anchor Inn in Holmes Beach was the first one on Anna Maria Island to restart its business. Anchor Inn owners Darla and Bobby Tingler hosted…
June 1, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Protestors peacefully take to Bradenton streets

Protestors peacefully take to Bradenton streets

BRADENTON – Inspired by the recent death of George Floyd and the actions of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, a peaceful but impassioned protest occurred in downtown Bradenton Sunday afternoo…
May 31, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Schoenfelder seeks $65,000 to terminate pier lease early

Schoenfelder seeks $65,000 to end pier lease early

ANNA MARIA – Current City Pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder is requesting a $65,000 settlement in exchange for the early termination of his pier lease agreement that expires Dec. 15. In response to S…