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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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October 6, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Tampa Bay Marine selected to build City Pier walkway

Tampa Bay Marine selected to build City Pier walkway

ANNA MARIA – City Commissioners unanimously authorized Mayor Mark Short to sign a contract with Tampa Bay Marine Inc. to rebuild the Anna Maria City Pier walkway destroyed by Hurricane Milton. When…
October 6, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Public works director leaving Holmes Beach

Public works director leaving Holmes Beach

HOLMES BEACH – Public Works Director and City Engineer Sage Kamiya tendered his resignation and will soon serve as the city engineer for the city of Sarasota. After serving as Holmes Beach’s public…
October 4, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Construction office approved on former car wash property

Construction office approved on former car wash property

HOLMES BEACH – City com­missioners unanimously approved a special exception and site plan request that allows Marquis Management Construction owner Davyd Miller to use the former car wash property at…
October 4, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Gilson again serving as Anna Maria building official

Gilson again serving as Anna Maria building official

ANNA MARIA – Former Anna Maria building official David Gilson is again serving as the city’s contracted building official. Gilson’s contracted services are being provided through the city’s recently…
September 30, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Trash, recycling collection days changing soon

Trash, recycling collection days changing soon

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria’s new trash and recycling collection days take effect on Monday, Oct. 6. Trash will be collected on Tuesdays and Fridays instead of on Mondays and Thursdays. Recycling collec…
September 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
County's pier ferry landing concept meets city resistance

County’s pier ferry landing concept meets city resistance

ANNA MARIA – The mayor and city commissioners strongly oppose Manatee County’s latest concept for the installation of a Gulf Islands Ferry landing alongside the soon-to-be-built Anna Maria City Pier…
September 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
New signs address Bean Point swimming risks

New signs address Bean Point swimming risks

ANNA MARIA – The “No Swim­ming, Dangerous Currents” signs recently installed at Bean Point have been replaced by new signs that say, “Warning. Dangerous Currents. Swim at Your Own Risk. No Lifeguards…
September 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach candidates participate in candidate forum

Holmes Beach candidates participate in candidate forum

HOLMES BEACH – City Commission candidates Steve Oelfke, Jessica Patel, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek partici­pated in a candidate forum hosted by The Anna Maria Island Sun on Sept. 24. Oelfke, Sc…
September 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks

Center Scoreboard: Soccer, flag football

ADULT SOCCER WEEK 1 Impact Windows (1-0) 5 Sato Real Estate (0-1) 4 Pool America (1-0) 11 West Coast Marine Construction (0-1) 1 Duncan Real Estate (1-0) 6 Solid Rock Construction (0-1) 5 Ross Bu…
September 26, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Beachfront property now vacant due to hurricane

Beachfront property now vacant due to hurricane

BRADENTON BEACH – Hurricane Helene’s storm surge left behind several condemned homes and structures that were damaged beyond repair and were later demolished or still await demolition. Some of the h…
September 26, 2025
By Joe Hendricks

July 2025 tourist tax collections

Manatee County’s 6% tourist development tax (resort tax) is collected from hotel, motel, resort, condo and other short-term vacation accom­modations rented for six months or less. The amounts shown…
September 24, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Love prevails in ‘Janus’

Love prevails in ‘Janus’

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players 2025-26 com­munity theater season is off to an excellent start with the Sept. 18-28 performances of the infidelity-inspired romantic comedy, “Janus.” Written by Carol…
September 23, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Court ruling allows openly carried guns in public places

Court ruling allows openly carried guns in public places

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – A recent court ruling now allows rifles, shotguns, holstered sidearms and other firearms to be openly carried in public throughout Florida, with certain exceptions, prompting wide…
September 23, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
2024 hurricanes revisited; two piers remain closed

2024 hurricanes revisited; two piers remain closed

ANNA MARIA – One year ago, Hurricanes Helene and Milton inundated Anna Maria Island, destroying two iconic piers, leaving only the Bradenton Beach pier standing. On Sept. 26, Helene inflicted signif…
September 18, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
City officials appreciate county joining SB 180 lawsuit

City officials appreciate county joining SB 180 lawsuit

HOLMES BEACH – The city is not joining the Senate Bill 180 lawsuit but city officials appreciate the Manatee County Commission’s recent decision to do so. On Sept. 2, county commis­sioners voted 6-1…