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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.
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October 7, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Floating dock temporarily closed

Floating dock temporarily closed

BRADENTON BEACH – The new floating day dock was closed on Friday, Oct. 4, and will remain closed until repairs are made to the gangway that provides access to the historic Bridge Street Pier. Acco…
October 1, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Pier repairs resume

Pier repairs resume

ANNA MARIA – The i+iconSoutheast construction crane has returned to the Anna Maria City Pier construction site and repairs to the accident-damaged pier resumed late last week. The barge upon which…
September 27, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Short joins Anna Maria City Commission

Short joins Anna Maria City Commission

ANNA MARIA – Mark Short has been appointed to fill the Anna Maria City Commission seat formerly held by Brian Seymour, who resigned in August. Short will serve the remainder of the two-year commis…
September 24, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Policy prevents CBD use by city employees

Policy prevents CBD use by city employees

BRADENTON BEACH – Made from hemp plants, CBD (cannabidiol) oils, creams and other products are legal in Florida, but Bradenton Beach’s drug-free workplace ordinance prohibits city employees from usin…
September 24, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
New Anna Maria noise ordinance in effect

New Anna Maria noise ordinance in effect

ANNA MARIA – The city has a newly-amended noise ordinance that now subjects violators to a $35 fine instead of a verbal warning for a first offense. Increased fines are also now in place for repea…
September 24, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Commission seeks consistent parking restrictions

Commission seeks consistent parking restrictions

BRADENTON BEACH – Parking with any tires on the pavement or parking within 15 feet of a stop sign will soon subject drivers to a $50 parking ticket. The mayor and city commissioners remain divided…
September 21, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier repairs temporarily delayed

City Pier repairs temporarily delayed

ANNA MARIA – A damaged boom line on i+iconSoutheast’s barge-mounted crane has delayed the repairs to the new Anna Maria City Pier. The repairs are required in the wake of the construction company…
September 17, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Drift In food cart has city’s support

Drift In food cart has city’s support

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners support Drift In owner Joe Cuervo’s desire to add a late-night hot dog cart to his business operations. Cuervo and Chef Stephen Ascencious discussed the propos…
September 12, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Benac accepts plea deal in shark dragging case

Benac accepts plea deal in shark dragging case

Updated Sept. 18, 2019 | TAMPA – Robert “Bo” Benac, 30, of Sarasota, agreed to a plea deal this afternoon while appearing before Judge Mark Wolfe in the 13th Circuit Court regarding his participation…
September 10, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Barge damages new Anna Maria City Pier

Barge strikes new Anna Maria City Pier

ANNA MARIA – An i+iconSoutheast construction barge struck and damaged the new Anna Maria City Pier this afternoon. Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said the accident occurred between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p…
September 10, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria liquor ordinance explained

Anna Maria liquor ordinance explained

ANNA MARIA – A memo City Attorney Becky Vose sent Mayor Dan Murphy clarifies the city commission’s recent decision to not amend the city’s liquor ordinance. The potential amendment drafted by Vose…
September 10, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Turtle Watch Wednesday returns

Turtle Watch Wednesday returns

HOLMES BEACH – A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals and Hurricane Hanks are following up last year’s fundraising efforts with this year’s Second Annual Turtle Watch Wednesday fundraiser. Taking…
September 9, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Commission will need to fill two seats

Anna Maria Commission will need to fill two seats

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria must fill two city commission seats by appointment – one this month and one in November. On Thursday, Sept. 26, the commission hopes to appoint someone to serve…
September 2, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Seymour resigns from city commission

Seymour resigns from city commission

ANNA MARIA – City Commission Chair Brian Seymour tendered his immediate resignation Friday morning. His resignation came one day after his fellow commissioners voted 4-0 in favor of not pursuing a…
September 2, 2019
By Joe Hendricks

Carter, Crane and Woodland running unopposed

Updated Sept. 6, 2019 | ANNA MARIA – Running unopposed in the 2019 city election, incumbent Anna Maria Commissioner Carol Carter will serve an additional two-year term in office. Incumbent Commiss…