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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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August 6, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Aubry files ADA complaint about pier railings

Aubry files ADA complaint about pier railings

ANNA MARIA – Former City Commissioner Eugene “Gene” Aubry has filed a complaint with the United States Justice Department regarding the commission’s 2018 decision to not install handrails on the new…
August 6, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach's new floating dock now in use

Bradenton Beach’s new floating dock now in use

BRADENTON BEACH – The new floating public dock next to the historic Bridge Street Pier is now open and being used by boaters. The Hecker Construction Company completed the dock installation last w…
July 30, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
George Wilson Jr. celebrated

George Wilson Jr. celebrated

ANNA MARIA – Hundreds of friends and family members showed up at the Anna Maria General Store on Monday, July 22 to celebrate the life of George Wilson Jr. Wilson passed away suddenly and unexpect…
July 30, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
lost pets fundraiser Gulf Drive Cafe

Pup & Cat Crawl helps lost pets

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Benefitting the Lost Pet Services Inc. organization that helps reunite lost pets with their owners, the inaugural Pup & Cat Crawl fundraiser on Friday, July 26 raised $2,050 a…
July 30, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
City seeks reimbursement for Sunshine lawsuit expenses

City seeks reimbursement for Sunshine lawsuit expenses

BRADENTON BEACH – The city will try to recover some or all of the estimated $450,000 in attorney fees and legal costs city taxpayers incurred in the Sunshine Law lawsuit filed two years ago by the ci…
July 30, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Copeland will not seek reelection

Copeland will not seek re-election

ANNA MARIA – City Commissioner Doug Copeland will not next seek re-election in the upcoming city elections that will conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Copeland made this announcement from the dais towa…
July 23, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Vessels break free, threaten new dock

Vessels break free, threaten new dock

BRADENTON BEACH – Two boats in the unmanaged anchorage near the Bridge Street Pier broke loose Saturday afternoon, one making contact with the new floating dock being installed along the south side o…
July 23, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Force main replacement comes to Bradenton Beach

Force main replacement comes to Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County’s force main sewer pipe replacement project is going to soon impact residents and business owners south of the Cortez Bridge. Bradenton Beach officials hope to avo…
July 23, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Pier lease talks gain momentum

Pier lease talks gain momentum

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and current city pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder recently reviewed a draft document that includes several potential options for the lease of the new pier. T…
July 22, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Judge rules CNOBB members violated Sunshine Law

Judge rules CNOBB members violated Sunshine Law

BRADENTON – Manatee County 12th Circuit Judge Edward Nicholas ruled Friday that former Planning and Zoning Board members Reed Mapes, John Metz, Patty Shay and Bill Vincent, and former Scenic WAVES Co…
July 16, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
George Wilson Jr. – a legendary life

George Wilson Jr. – a legendary life

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island lost a beloved friend and local character when 67-year-old George Cameron Wilson Jr. passed away on Monday, July 8. Wilson worked at the Anna Maria General St…
July 16, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Shark dragging trial moved to September

Shark dragging trial moved to September

Updated July 23, 2019 – TAMPA – Robert “Bo” Benac is now scheduled to stand trial on Monday, Sept. 16 for his alleged role in a much-publicized shark dragging incident captured on video in 2017. T…
July 16, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Floating dock installation begins

Floating dock installation begins

BRADENTON BEACH – The long-delayed floating dock is now in the initial stages of being installed alongside the Bridge Street Pier. A four-man crew from the Gibsonton-based Hecker Construction Comp…
July 15, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Sunshine trial gets underway

Sunshine trial gets underway

BRADENTON – The Sunshine Law lawsuit involving the city of Bradenton Beach and six former city advisory board members is underway. The civil trial began today. The suit was filed in 2017 on behalf…
July 9, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Metz deposed in Sunshine lawsuit

Metz deposed in Sunshine lawsuit

BRADENTON – Former Planning and Zoning Board member and Sunshine Law lawsuit defendant John Metz has been deposed, but his computer may be subjected to a forensic examination. Representing the cit…