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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 9, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria enacts building moratorium

Anna Maria enacts building moratorium

ANNA MARIA – A 60-day emergency building moratorium is in effect in Anna Maria. The emergency moratorium was enacted by the city commission’s 4-1 adoption of Ordinance 20-863 during an emergency m…
March 3, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental bills appear to be dead

Vacation rental bills appear to be dead

TALLAHASSEE – Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and City Commission Chair Carol Carter flew to Tallahassee Monday morning, March 2, planning to address the Florida Senate Rules Committee regarding proposed…
March 2, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Potential tenants attend City Pier pre-bid meeting

Potential tenants attend City Pier pre-bid meeting

ANNA MARIA – More than a dozen restaurateurs are potentially interested in leasing the new City Pier restaurant and bait shop. Last week, the deadline to submit proposals in response to the city’s…
March 2, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County resident being treated for coronavirus

Manatee County resident being treated for coronavirus

MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has announced that a Manatee County resident is one of the first two people in Florida to presumptively test positive for the coronavirus…
February 25, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor provides pier lease update

Mayor provides pier lease update

ANNA MARIA – On Wednesday, Feb. 19, Mayor Dan Murphy provided city commissioners with an e-mail update regarding the request for proposals (RFP) the city issued in January seeking a new city pier ten…
February 25, 2020
By Joe Hendricks

Vacation rental bills looming large

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Legislature is getting closer to potentially taking away local governments’ ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals and vacation rental advertising. And Anna Mari…
February 25, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Parking tram discussions continue

Parking tram discussions continue

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials and business owners in and around the Bridge Street business district agree that a parking shuttle program is a good idea. But no one has stepped forward yet and o…
February 25, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bortell’s Lounge poised for a comeback

Bortell’s Lounge poised for a comeback

ANNA MARIA – Extensive renovations will soon take place at Bortell’s Lounge and the popular Anna Maria watering hole is expected to reopen as early as June. Located at 10002 Gulf Drive, Bortell’s…
February 25, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bunny & Pirates adds to their bounty

Bunny & Pirates adds to their bounty

CORTEZ – The expanded business operations at Bunny & Pirates Bazaar now include the Skullywags Coffee Bar and Marketplace. The coffee bar and marketplace recently joined the live music, beer a…
February 18, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Sunshine defendant accused of violating mediation confidentiality

Sunshine defendant accused of violating mediation confidentiality

BRADENTON BEACH – On behalf of the city of Bradenton Beach, attorney Robert Watrous has filed a motion seeking to impose sanctions on Sunshine Law lawsuit defendant Reed Mapes. In July, Circuit Co…
February 17, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
City responds to Suncoast Waterkeeper water pollution concerns

City responds to Suncoast Waterkeeper pollution concerns

BRADENTON BEACH – On Monday, Feb. 17, the city of Bradenton Beach issued a press release in response to concerns raised in a Friday, Feb. 14 press release issued by the Suncoast Waterkeeper organizat…
February 17, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Pier opening delayed by electrical issues

Pier opening delayed by electrical issues

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the Anna Maria Commission are planning the opening ceremonies for the new City Pier, but the exact date of the opening remains unknown due to an electrical issue…
February 16, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
High enterococcus levels in Bradenton Beach waters cause for concern

High enterococcus levels cause for concern

BRADENTON BEACH – “Extremely high” pollution levels have been discovered at the Bradenton Beach bayfront, according to Suncoast Waterkeeper Executive Director Andy Mele and board Chair Joe McClash…
February 11, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Jason Sato tops county real estate rankings again

Jason Sato tops county real estate rankings again

ANNA MARIA – For the fifth consecutive year, Sato Real Estate’s Jason Sato was the top real estate agent in Manatee County in 2019 in combined total sales and listing volume. Duncan Real Estate ow…
February 11, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Portion of Gulf Drive will be reduced to one lane Tuesday

Gulf Drive lane closure delayed  

BRADENTON BEACH – Motorists can expect to encounter delays at some point next week if traveling on Gulf Drive near Fifth Street South and Sixth Street South in Bradenton Beach. The one-day lane cl…