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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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March 12, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Sunshine defendants propose settlement counteroffer

Sunshine defendants propose settlement counteroffer

BRADENTON BEACH – The six defendants in the 2017 Sunshine Law lawsuit filed by the city of Bradenton Beach have made a counteroffer to the city commission’s recent settlement offer. Attorney Thomas S…
March 12, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Moose Lodge loses dear friend and driving force

Moose Lodge loses dear friend and driving force

BRADENTON BEACH – Members of the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 are mourning the loss of longtime Lodge Administrator Ernie Casali Jr. An email from the AMI Moose Lodge #2188 in Bradenton Bea…
March 9, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Dock floats delivered, project moving forward

Dock floats delivered, project moving forward

BRADENTON BEACH – It took two years, but the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) finally has all the parts needed to install a floating public dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier…
March 7, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Developer previews sustainable Hunters Point home

Developer previews sustainable Hunters Point home

PALMETTO – Pearl Homes president Marshall Gobuty recently gave The Sun a tour of the new research and design center in Palmetto that now houses the model home for the Pearl Homes at Hunters Point dev…
March 2, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Wenzel to serve jail time and lose fishing privileges

Wenzel to serve jail time, lose fishing privileges

TAMPA – Michael Wenzel, 22, will serve 10 days in a Hillsborough County jail for his role in the much-publicized shark dragging incident that was captured on video in 2017. Wenzel will also be on…
March 2, 2019
By Joe Hendricks

Clams restored in Sarasota Bay

BRADENTON BEACH – Seventy bushels of hard-shelled (Mercenaria mercenaria) quahog clams were delivered and dispersed near the historic Bradenton Beach Pier today. The Bradenton Beach Community Rede…
February 26, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Local vacation rental regulations under fire again

Local vacation rental regulations under fire again

ANNA MARIA – City officials in Anna Maria are already following proposed state legislation that pertains to vacation rentals. Vacation rentals are among the many matters that will be debated by th…
February 23, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor provides pier construction update

Mayor provides pier construction update

ANNA MARIA – On Friday afternoon, Mayor Dan Murphy provided Manatee County Senior Administrative Specialist Monica Luff with an update on the construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier being built…
February 23, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Sunshine Law trial delayed until July

Sunshine Law trial delayed until July

BRADENTON BEACH – The trial for the Sunshine Law lawsuit filed against six former city advisory board members has been rescheduled for July 15. The trial was previously scheduled to take place in mid…
February 12, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor and former city employee discuss recent firing

Mayor and former city employee discuss recent firing

ANNA MARIA – City officials and former Code and Parking Enforcement Officer and administrative assistant Angela Albrecht hold differing views on the events that preceded her recent firing. Albrech…
February 12, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Charter review includes city manager discussion

Charter review includes city manager discussion

ANNA MARIA – The Charter Review Committee met with city commissioners and Mayor Dan Murphy last week to discuss potential changes to the city charter. Switching to a city manager form of governmen…
February 12, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Bridge Street options discussed

Bridge Street options discussed

BRADENTON BEACH – There isn’t much community support for closing Bridge Street to vehicular traffic, but some rare and limited public support exists for building a parking garage near the Bradenton B…
February 4, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
New Anna Maria City Pier taking shape

New Anna Maria City Pier taking shape

ANNA MARIA – The first pilings for the new Anna Maria City Pier are in place and partially driven as of Saturday. The pilings eventually will support a restaurant, bait shop and public restrooms a…
February 4, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Mannie's Back

Mannie’s back!

BRADENTON BEACH – After a brief absence, Mannie the mannequin is back at the Drift In. Over the past decade or so, five different mannequins have served as the Bradenton Beach establishment’s life…
February 1, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria’s street-side parking switches sides

Anna Maria’s street-side parking switches sides

ANNA MARIA – Make sure you park on the proper side of the street in the city limits of Anna Maria, at the north end of Anna Maria Island – the city annually switches which side of the street can be p…