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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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October 19, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Post-Tropical Cyclone Nestor affecting Anna Maria Island

Post-Tropical Cyclone Nestor affects Anna Maria Island

Updated Oct. 19, 2019 at 8:35 p.m. – ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Post-Tropical Cyclone Nestor caused high surf, rip currents, wind gusts and flooding today on Anna Maria Island as it churned in the Gulf of M…
October 15, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Music festival will benefit Wildlife Inc.

Music festival to benefit Wildlife Inc.

The Drift In’s Rock & Blues Festival on Saturday, Nov. 2 will also serve as a fundraiser for Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation, the Bradenton Beach-based bird and animal education and re…
October 15, 2019
By Joe Hendricks

Vacation rental advertising ordinance adopted

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has a new ordinance on misleading advertising as part of its ongoing enforcement of vacation rental occupancy limits. Adopted on second and final reading on Oct…
October 11, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Construction begins on pier buildings

Construction begins on pier buildings

ANNA MARIA – The construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier bait shop began this week with Mason Martin Builders erecting the first bait shop wall on Tuesday, Oct. 8. On Thursday, Oct. 10, Mayor…
October 10, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
White PVC railings discussed for Bridge Street Pier

White PVC railings discussed for Bridge Street Pier

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is exploring the possibility of replacing the unpainted Bridge Street Pier railings with white plastic PVC railings. On Wednesday…
October 8, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Cortez Road roundabout proposed

Cortez Road roundabout proposed

BRADENTON BEACH – Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to build a roundabout at Cortez Road and Gulf Drive will remain on hold until officials decide where the span of the new Cortez Bri…
October 7, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Post office parking agreement reached

Post office parking agreement reached

BRADENTON BEACH – After-hours and weekend parking will soon be allowed in the post office parking lot. The general parking allowance will not take effect until signs are posted that state the hour…
October 7, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Floating dock temporarily closed

Floating dock temporarily closed

BRADENTON BEACH – The new floating day dock was closed on Friday, Oct. 4, and will remain closed until repairs are made to the gangway that provides access to the historic Bridge Street Pier. Acco…
October 1, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Pier repairs resume

Pier repairs resume

ANNA MARIA – The i+iconSoutheast construction crane has returned to the Anna Maria City Pier construction site and repairs to the accident-damaged pier resumed late last week. The barge upon which…
September 27, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Short joins Anna Maria City Commission

Short joins Anna Maria City Commission

ANNA MARIA – Mark Short has been appointed to fill the Anna Maria City Commission seat formerly held by Brian Seymour, who resigned in August. Short will serve the remainder of the two-year commis…
September 24, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Policy prevents CBD use by city employees

Policy prevents CBD use by city employees

BRADENTON BEACH – Made from hemp plants, CBD (cannabidiol) oils, creams and other products are legal in Florida, but Bradenton Beach’s drug-free workplace ordinance prohibits city employees from usin…
September 24, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
New Anna Maria noise ordinance in effect

New Anna Maria noise ordinance in effect

ANNA MARIA – The city has a newly-amended noise ordinance that now subjects violators to a $35 fine instead of a verbal warning for a first offense. Increased fines are also now in place for repea…
September 24, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Commission seeks consistent parking restrictions

Commission seeks consistent parking restrictions

BRADENTON BEACH – Parking with any tires on the pavement or parking within 15 feet of a stop sign will soon subject drivers to a $50 parking ticket. The mayor and city commissioners remain divided…
September 21, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
City Pier repairs temporarily delayed

City Pier repairs temporarily delayed

ANNA MARIA – A damaged boom line on i+iconSoutheast’s barge-mounted crane has delayed the repairs to the new Anna Maria City Pier. The repairs are required in the wake of the construction company…
September 17, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Drift In food cart has city’s support

Drift In food cart has city’s support

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners support Drift In owner Joe Cuervo’s desire to add a late-night hot dog cart to his business operations. Cuervo and Chef Stephen Ascencious discussed the propos…