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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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April 24, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County increases COVID-19 testing capacities

Manatee County increases COVID-19 testing capacities

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County residents now have access to six COVID-19 test sites and more test kits are now available. On Tuesday, county commissioners authorized County Administrator Cheri Co…
April 22, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
County officials trying to address testing shortages

County officials trying to address testing shortages

MANATEE COUNTY – County officials and the Manatee County Health Department are trying to address a critical shortage of (COVID-19) specimen collection kits. On Tuesday, Manatee County Commissioner…
April 22, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

COVID-19 claims former county commissioner

MANATEE COUNTY – Former County Commissioner Gwendolyn Brown passed away last week due to COVID-19. Brown was Manatee County’s first black county commissioner and the county’s first black commissio…
April 21, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County curfew lifted

Manatee County curfew lifted today

MANATEE COUNTY – This morning, Manatee County Commissioners voted 4-3 to lift the county curfew enacted on April 3 and extended on April 10 and April 17. The curfew has been in effect from 11 p.m…
April 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Commission to consider ending building moratorium

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the Anna Maria City Commission will discuss the possibility of ending the emergency building moratorium on Thursday, April 23. According to the meeting agenda, th…
April 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Coleman concerned about Island’s unemployed workforce

Coleman concerned about Island’s unemployed workforce

ANNA MARIA – Like many members of Anna Maria Island’s business community, Mike Coleman is concerned about the impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having on the diverse group of Island emplo…
April 20, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

County curfew extended until Tuesday

MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County Commission voted 4-3 on Friday, April 17 to extend the county’s curfew until Tuesday, April 21, when it was set to be discussed again at the regular Tuesday commis…
April 19, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Eight long-term care facilities in Manatee County report COVID-19 cases

Eight long-term care facilities in Manatee County report COVID-19 cases

UPDATED April 20, 2020 – MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County officials are concerned about the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) among residents and staff members at long-term care facilities, includi…
April 19, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Boaters return to reopened boat ramps

Boaters return to reopened boat ramps

MANATEE COUNTY – Local boaters took to the water over the weekend after Manatee County’s public boat ramps reopened on Monday, April 13. The public boat ramps were closed on March 26 by Manatee Co…
April 17, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

County curfew extended, concerns raised about testing and nursing homes

BRADENTON – Manatee County Commissioners have extended the countywide curfew until Tuesday, but they have even larger concerns about the lack of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing kits and the high numbe…
April 13, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
County boat ramps reopened

County boat ramps reopened

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County’s public boat ramps are open again. On Friday, April 10, Manatee County commissioners voted 4-3 in favor of reopening the public boat ramps. Friday’s decision ov…
April 13, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Doctors plead for curfew

Doctors plead for curfew

MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County community remains divided regarding the countywide curfew that remains in effect from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. Enacted in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19)…
April 12, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Painted rocks bring joy during challenging times

Even during a global pandemic, good news can be found in unexpected places. Such was the case for Holmes Beach resident Sue Hamilton on Thursday, April 2. “I live in Key Royale. My cleaning lady w…
April 11, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Governor extends vacation rental order

Governor extends vacation rental order

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has extended a previously issued executive order that prohibits short-term vacation rental operations statewide. On Friday, DeSantis issued and signed Execu…
April 10, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
County commissioners extend curfew and reopen boat ramps

County commissioners extend curfew, reopen boat ramps

MANATEE COUNTY – On Friday, Manatee County commissioners voted to extend the countywide curfew for another seven days and reopen the county’s public boat ramps on Monday. As part of Manatee County…