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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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May 30, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria City Pier opening June 19

Anna Maria City Pier set to open June 19

ANNA MARIA – The soft opening of the new Anna Maria City Pier is scheduled for Friday, June 19. Mayor Dan Murphy proposed the soft opening to city commissioners on Thursday, May 28 and the commiss…
May 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Short-term vacation rentals reopen for holiday weekend

Short-term vacation rentals reopen for holiday weekend

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island’s short-term vacation rentals were allowed to reopen in time for Memorial Day weekend, with some restrictions. On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Ron DeSantis and th…
May 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Island bar owners, bartenders protest continued closures

Island bar owners, bartenders protest continued closures

BRADENTON – Members of Anna Maria Island’s bar industry joined their peers in protesting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to keep Florida’s bars and nightclubs closed. The Tuesday, May 19 protest took…
May 17, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
DeSantis expands reopening plans, opens door for vacation rentals

DeSantis expands reopening plans, opens door for vacation rentals

JACKSONVILLE – Florida restaurants can increase their indoor seating capacity from 25% to 50% beginning Monday. Retail operations can increase their capacity from 25% to 50% and gyms and fitness c…
May 11, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Reopening weekend gets off to a fast start

Reopening weekend gets off to a fast start  

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – A tour of Anna Maria Island on Saturday revealed an Island wasting no time trying to return to normal as the first weekend of the governor’s phase one reopening plan unfolded…
May 10, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Sean Murphy withdraws his pier lease bid

Sean Murphy withdraws his pier lease bid

ANNA MARIA – Restaurateur Sean Murphy has withdrawn his bid proposal to lease the city-owned restaurant and bait shop buildings at the end of the new Anna Maria City Pier. Today, Sean Murphy sent…
May 9, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Commission will discuss rescinding pier lease decision

Commission to reconsider pier lease decision

ANNA MARIA – On Wednesday, the Anna Maria City Commission voted 4-1 in favor of authorizing Mayor Dan Murphy to begin pier lease negotiations with restaurateur Sean Murphy. Next Thursday, May 14…
May 4, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some

Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach and Manatee Beach are open again. By order of the Manatee County Commission, the county beaches and beach parking lots on Anna Maria Island reopened…
May 4, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental owner issues plea to mayor

Vacation rental owner issues plea to mayor

ANNA MARIA – Vacation rental owner Carolyn Hodgson is among those who are upset that vacation rental operations are still prohibited in Florida because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Gov…
May 4, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
More details emerge on COVID-19 nursing home deaths

More details emerge on COVID-19 nursing home deaths

MANATEE COUNTY – The Braden River Rehabilitation Center and the Riviera Palms Rehabilitation Center rank among the highest in Florida in COVID-19 deaths at nursing homes and assisted living facilitie…
April 30, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Governor's reopening plan allows sit-down dining, but not bars or vacation rentals

DeSantis: Restaurants, retail can open; vacation rentals cannot

TALLAHASSEE – Vacation rentals must remain shuttered while restaurants and retail stores can partially open under phase one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new plan to reopen Florida’s economy. Set forth in…
April 28, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County beaches reopening Monday

Manatee County beaches reopening Monday

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatee County’s public beaches will reopen Monday morning. During today’s emergency county commission meeting, Manatee County Commissioners voted 7-0 in favor of reopening the…
April 27, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Pier lease bids to be discussed at special meeting

Pier lease bids to be discussed at special meeting

ANNA MARIA – The details contained in the two pier lease bid proposals opened in early April are expected to be made public at a special city commission meeting on Wednesday, May 6 at 2 p.m. Thad…
April 27, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Building moratorium expires this week

ANNA MARIA – The 60-day emergency building moratorium enacted on March 4 will expire on Wednesday, May 6. The Anna Maria City Commission reached this decision with a 3-2 vote during the commission…
April 25, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Two long-term care facilities in Manatee County reported more than 100 COVID-19 cases

Two long-term care facilities in Manatee County report more than 100 COVID-19 cases

MANATEE COUNTY – Two nursing homes in Manatee County owned by the same company accounted for more than 100 reported COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, April 21, according to Dr. Jennifer Bencie. Bencie…