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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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September 2, 2019
By Joe Hendricks

Qualifying determines Bradenton Beach commission winners

Incumbent Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie, incumbent Commissioner Jake Spooner and former Commissioner Jan Vosburgh are the only candidates to qualify for the three seats up for election in Braden…
August 31, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria prepared for Hurricane Dorian and beyond

Anna Maria prepares for Hurricane Dorian and beyond

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Hurricane Dorian’s threat has decreased, but the city of Anna Maria is prepared and applying lessons learned from Hurricane Irma in 2017. As a precautionary measure, the city c…
August 31, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach readies for Dorian

Bradenton Beach readies for Dorian

BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach declared a local state of emergency on Friday afternoon as part of its precautionary Hurricane Dorian preparations. The declaration occurred in the fo…
August 27, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria taking new approach to noise violations

Anna Maria taking new approach to noise violations

ANNA MARIA – City officials are working on an amended noise ordinance that if adopted on final reading next month will result in $35 citations being issued for a first noise ordinance violation. R…
August 27, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Counterfeit money being passed around

Counterfeit money being passed around

MANATEE COUNTY – Several area businesses have been presented with counterfeit $50 and $100 bills in recent weeks. On Friday, Aug. 23, a counterfeit $50 bill was taken as payment at the Pig Out BBQ…
August 27, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Commission clarifies pier lease parameters

Commission clarifies pier lease parameters

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission have established which portions of the new Anna Maria City Pier will be leased to the current and/or future pier tenant. On Thursday, Aug. 22…
August 20, 2019
By Joe Hendricks

Crane, Woodland file preliminary campaign paperwork

ANNA MARIA – The city’s two-week election qualifying period opened Monday and closes at noon on Friday, Aug. 30. Incumbent Commissioner Dale Woodland and Planning and Zoning Board Chairman Jon Cra…
August 20, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Gulf Drive Café expansion approved

Gulf Drive Café expansion approved

BRADENTON BEACH – Gulf Drive Café owners Wendy and George Kokolis have the city’s approval to expand their beachfront business operations. On Thursday, Aug. 15, the city commission unanimously app…
August 18, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Randy White says he will not seek re-election

Randy White says he will not seek re-election

Updated Aug. 18, 2019 – BRADENTON BEACH – When informed that former City Commissioner Jan Vosburgh plans to challenge him for his Ward 3 commission seat, Commissioner Randy White said today he will n…
August 13, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Pier opening discussed

Pier opening discussed

ANNA MARIA – Commission Chairman Brian Seymour asked Mayor Dan Murphy if the new City Pier will be opened to the public before the interior buildout of the T-end buildings is complete. “I’ve been…
August 13, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Chappie will seek a second term as mayor

Chappie will seek a second term as mayor

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie will seek reelection in the 2019 city elections. “I do plan on running for a second term as mayor. I’ll be filling out my initial paperwork this week and my fi…
August 13, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Repeat noise violations a lingering concern

Repeat noise violations a lingering concern

ANNA MARIA – City officials are searching for ways to better address vacation rental-related noise ordinance violations, with a focus on vacation rentals that produce repeat noise complaints. Duri…
August 6, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anchorage enforcement remains a work in progress

Anchorage enforcement remains a work in progress

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials continue their quest for more effective anchorage enforcement of the unmanaged navigable waters near the Bridge Street Pier. Those unmanaged waters and the liveabo…
August 6, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor proposes maintaining current millage rate

Mayor proposes maintaining current millage rate

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy proposes maintaining the longstanding 2.05 millage rate for the 2019-2020 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. When discussing the budget with city commissioners on July 2…
August 6, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Pier progressing as planned

Pier progressing as planned

ANNA MARIA – The construction of the new city pier remains on schedule, and the city has identified $74,000 in anticipated savings regarding the construction of the pier-based restaurant and bait sho…