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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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June 7, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Mason Martin Builders selected to build pier restaurant and bait shop

Mason Martin Builders selected to build pier restaurant and bait shop

ANNA MARIA – Frank Agnelli’s Mason Martin Builders is the city’s top choice to construct the restaurant and bait shop at the T-end of the new Anna Maria City Pier. Based on Mayor Dan Murphy’s reco…
June 7, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
County Commission authorizes removal of six Australian pines

County Commission authorizes removal of six Australian pines

BRADENTON – Six Australian pines will be removed from the Coquina Beach parking lot for now and a comprehensive project report will be presented to Manatee County Commissioners on Tuesday, June 18…
June 4, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Holiday crowds, traffic overwhelming

Holiday crowds, traffic overwhelming

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach officials are concerned about the overcrowding and parking issues that occurred at and around Coquina Beach and Cortez Beach during Memorial Day weekend. A 6:28 a…
June 4, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Sunshine defendants make offers to compromise

Sunshine defendants make offers to compromise

BRADENTON BEACH – The six defendants in the Sunshine Law lawsuit have proposed compromise offers that seek financial reimbursement from the city of Bradenton Beach and co-plaintiff Jack Clarke. Co…
June 4, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
AM Pier rendering

Pier building bids received but not revealed

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria received four bids from construction firms seeking the contract to build the new restaurant and the bait shop at the T-end of the new city pier. During last wee…
May 31, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Proposed tree removals delayed

Proposed tree removals delayed

BRADENTON BEACH – More than 100 Australian pine trees designated for removal at the south end of the Coquina Beach parking lot will not be removed, at least until Manatee County commissioners review…
May 28, 2019
By Joe Hendricks

Fire & Stone taking corrective actions

CORTEZ – Fire & Stone Pizza owners Radka Watson and Peter Ross are working to address the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and Manatee County Code Enforcement vio…
May 27, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria salutes veterans on Memorial Day

Anna Maria salutes veterans on Memorial Day

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria hosted its third annual Memorial Day Patriotic Salute this morning under the shade structure at City Pier Park. “It’s a very special day for us in the city of A…
May 26, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
County’s plan to remove Coquina Beach trees meets opposition

County’s plan to remove Coquina Beach trees meets opposition

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners are surprised and dismayed to learn that Manatee County plans to remove up to 120 Australian pine trees from the south end of the Coquina Beach parking area. T…
May 22, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Lessons learned from Hurricane Irma

Lessons learned from Hurricane Irma

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Hurricane Irma’s visit to the Anna Maria Island area in 2017 taught us how to better prepare for the upcoming hurricane season that starts June 1. When it comes to hurricane prepa…
May 21, 2019
By Joe Hendricks

Pine Avenue restaurant proposed

ANNA MARIA – On Thursday, May 23, city commissioners are scheduled to discuss the proposed construction of a 45-seat restaurant and residential structure at 415 Pine Ave. Thursday’s meeting will b…
May 21, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Golfers go full-swing for Blessing Bags Project

Golfers go full-swing for Blessing Bags Project

CORTEZ – Ryan Young and Mike Divietro won the inaugural Nancy Franklin Flippin’ Mullet Open golf tournament that raised more than $16,000 for The Blessing Bags Project that assists homeless children…
May 14, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Confederate memorial - Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis

County voters to decide Confederate monument’s location

BRADENTON – Next year, Anna Maria Island’s registered voters will help determine the new location for the Confederate memorial erected in front of the Manatee County courthouse in 1924 and removed an…
May 14, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Unregistered Airbnb being fined $250 per day

Airbnb compliant; will not be fined

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has concluded that the Airbnb at 302 North Shore Drive does not have to be registered as a vacation rental because it is owner-occupied and has onsite management…
May 14, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Multi-use trail extension being pursued

Officials pursue multi-use trail extension

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria’s city officials want to fill in the city’s share of the gap that still exists between Anna Maria’s multi-use trail and Holmes Beach’s new multi-use trail. Both concrete tr…