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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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November 12, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Parade honors veterans

Parade honors veterans

ANNA MARIA – Veterans, an honor guard, marching bands, local businesses and organizations – including a group of youngsters from The Center of Anna Maria Island, a pirate ship, police boats, police v…
November 12, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Sunshine lawsuit judge rules in favor of city recovering attorney fees

Sunshine lawsuit judge rules in favor of city recovering attorney fees

BRADENTON – Manatee County Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas has granted the city of Bradenton Beach’s motion to recover attorney fees incurred in the Sunshine Law lawsuit the city and co-plaintiff…
November 12, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Kelli Whitehead’s recovery continues

Kelli Whitehead’s recovery continues

BRADENTON – Kelli Whitehead is making progress in her battle with necrotizing fasciitis, but she still faces a long road to recovery. As of Sunday, Whitehead, a Bradenton resident, remained hospit…
November 11, 2019
By Joe Hendricks

Thanks-Living to be a gathering of community

ANNA MARIA – The community task force called For the Love of Anna Maria Island will host its inaugural Thanks-Living community gathering on Wednesday, Nov. 27. The community gathering will take pl…
November 5, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria voters decide fates of three charter amendments

Anna Maria voters decide fates of three charter amendments

ANNA MARIA – In the city elections that concluded Tuesday, Nov. 5, Anna Maria voters adopted three charter amendments proposed by the Charter Review Commission. Running with no opposition, incumbe…
November 5, 2019
By Joe Hendricks

Bradenton Beach candidates win, running unopposed

BRADENTON BEACH – Running unopposed, Mayor John Chappie, Commissioner Jake Spooner and former Commissioner Jan Vosburgh each claimed two-year commission terms in a city that had no city elections thi…
November 5, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Local woman hospitalized for necrotizing fasciitis

Local woman hospitalized for necrotizing fasciitis

BRADENTON – Bradenton resident Kelli Brown Whitehead was recently hospitalized and diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis. Whitehead’s family members suspect but have not confirmed that Whitehead’s…
November 5, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Music festival assists Wildlife Inc.

Music festival assists Wildlife Inc.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Drift In, its patrons, the local business community and some local musicians raised $4,665 for Wildlife Inc. during Saturday’s Drift In Rock & Blues Festival. The money r…
November 5, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Petitioners challenge Cortez Bridge decision

Petitioners challenge Cortez Bridge decision

CORTEZ – Opponents of the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) plans for the replacement of the Cortez Bridge have filed a petition for a formal administrative hearing before the State of Fl…
November 5, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Pier design conflict being addressed

Pier design conflict being addressed

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy is working to resolve the design conflicts recently discovered between the architect, Barron Schimberg, who designed the new pier buildings and the engineering firm, Ayr…
October 30, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Pier issues present additional challenges

Pier issues present additional challenges

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy will seek city commission authorization to prepare a request for proposals (RFP) for the potential lease of the city-owned restaurant and bait shop buildings being built…
October 26, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Lay-By resort sold to LLC with Nashville ties

Lay-By resort sold to LLC with Nashville ties

HOLMES BEACH – The Lay-By resort has been sold to Nashville-based Coasting LLC and there is much speculation as to whether two married country music stars are behind the recent purchase. The prope…
October 22, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Pier lease negotiations remain in flux

Pier lease negotiations remain in flux

ANNA MARIA – City Pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder has rejected Mayor Dan Murphy’s proposed rental rates for the new pier-based restaurant and bait shop currently under construction. On Sept. 30, Mu…
October 22, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez Bridge design moving forward

Cortez Bridge design moving forward

CORTEZ – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently issued a written announcement regarding its ongoing plans to replace the Cortez Bridge drawbridge with a 65-foot, high-level fixed sp…
October 21, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria farmers’ market returns

Anna Maria farmers market returns

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria’s weekly farmers market is back. The seasonal market opened its third year of operations at City Pier Park on Tuesday, Oct. 15. From now until mid-May, the farm…