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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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March 24, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County boat ramps closing Thursday

Manatee County boat ramps closing Thursday

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County commissioners announced that the county boat ramps will close on Thursday, March 26 at an emergency meeting today. Several other coronavirus (COVID-19) related meas…
March 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Island bars sobered by governor’s decision

Island bars sobered by governor’s decision

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – For Anna Maria Island’s stand-alone bars, St. Patrick’s Day was supposed to be a night of celebration. Instead, St. Patrick’s Day 2020 became the day Florida’s bars went dark…
March 23, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Restaurants rocked by coronavirus pandemic

Restaurants rocked by coronavirus pandemic

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Many restaurants on Anna Maria Island and in the village of Cortez are now offering takeout and delivery service to help offset the economic damage being caused in response to the…
March 22, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Social distancing not practiced by some local boaters

JEWFISH KEY – Many members of the local boating community refused to let coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns interfere with their weekend fun. At least a hundred boats dropped anchor today near a…
March 22, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatee County’s public beaches on Anna Maria Island are closed until further notice as of Friday, March 20. The beach closures are a precautionary measure being taken beca…
March 19, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County public beaches closing Friday 

Manatee County public beaches closing Friday 

MANATEE COUNTY – In reaction and response to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, Manatee County’s public beaches will be closed as of Friday, March 20 at 6 a.m. Manatee County Public Safe…
March 18, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

First coronavirus death in Manatee County reported

Updated Monday, March 23 | There are 1,227 reported positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida and 18 reported deaths, according to the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 Data and S…
March 18, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County beaches remain open

Manatee County beaches remain open

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As of this evening, there were no plans to close Manatee County’s public beaches on Anna Maria Island. Sarasota County beaches also remain open as of tonight. This afternoon…
March 16, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Hardship provision added to building moratorium

Hardship provision added to building moratorium

ANNA MARIA – The 60-day temporary emergency building moratorium enacted Wednesday, March 4 now includes a new hardship provision to allow some projects to break ground despite the moratorium. The…
March 16, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County declares state of emergency

Manatee County declares state of emergency

BRADENTON – As a fifth case of coronavirus (COVID-19) was announced in Manatee County today, commissioners declared a state of emergency. Manatee County Public Safety Department Director Jake Saue…
March 16, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
New City Pier expected to open in April

New City Pier expected to open in April

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy expects the new Anna Maria City Pier to open in April, but he has not yet determined an exact opening date. “It looks like in the April timeframe we’ll be opening the…
March 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Manatee County School District extends spring break

MANATEE COUNTY – As a coronavirus (COVID-19) precautionary measure, spring break for Manatee County students has been extended by an additional week. Manatee County schools, including Anna Maria E…
March 14, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Longboat Key Club addressing potential coronavirus exposure

Longboat Key Club addressing potential coronavirus exposure

LONGBOAT KEY – The Resort at Longboat Key Club is dealing with an individual’s potential exposure to the coronavirus virus (COVID-19). On Friday, March 13, Resort at Longboat Key Club Managing Dir…
March 10, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Post office towing includes handicapped parking

Post office towing includes handicapped parking space

BRADENTON BEACH – New signs have been posted at the Bradenton Beach Post Office to further clarify the recently enacted after-hours public parking policies. Some of the new signs apply to the…
March 9, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
City prevails in KORN lawsuit

City prevails in KORN lawsuit

BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach does not have to put four charter amendments proposed by the Keep Our Residential Neighborhoods (KORN) political action committee on an upcoming city bal…