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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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September 12, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Benac accepts plea deal in shark dragging case

Benac accepts plea deal in shark dragging case

Updated Sept. 18, 2019 | TAMPA – Robert “Bo” Benac, 30, of Sarasota, agreed to a plea deal this afternoon while appearing before Judge Mark Wolfe in the 13th Circuit Court regarding his participation…
September 10, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Barge damages new Anna Maria City Pier

Barge strikes new Anna Maria City Pier

ANNA MARIA – An i+iconSoutheast construction barge struck and damaged the new Anna Maria City Pier this afternoon. Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said the accident occurred between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p…
September 10, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria liquor ordinance explained

Anna Maria liquor ordinance explained

ANNA MARIA – A memo City Attorney Becky Vose sent Mayor Dan Murphy clarifies the city commission’s recent decision to not amend the city’s liquor ordinance. The potential amendment drafted by Vose…
September 10, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Turtle Watch Wednesday returns

Turtle Watch Wednesday returns

HOLMES BEACH – A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals and Hurricane Hanks are following up last year’s fundraising efforts with this year’s Second Annual Turtle Watch Wednesday fundraiser. Taking…
September 9, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Commission will need to fill two seats

Anna Maria Commission will need to fill two seats

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria must fill two city commission seats by appointment – one this month and one in November. On Thursday, Sept. 26, the commission hopes to appoint someone to serve…
September 2, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Seymour resigns from city commission

Seymour resigns from city commission

ANNA MARIA – City Commission Chair Brian Seymour tendered his immediate resignation Friday morning. His resignation came one day after his fellow commissioners voted 4-0 in favor of not pursuing a…
September 2, 2019
By Joe Hendricks

Carter, Crane and Woodland running unopposed

Updated Sept. 6, 2019 | ANNA MARIA – Running unopposed in the 2019 city election, incumbent Anna Maria Commissioner Carol Carter will serve an additional two-year term in office. Incumbent Commiss…
September 2, 2019
By Joe Hendricks

Qualifying determines Bradenton Beach commission winners

Incumbent Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie, incumbent Commissioner Jake Spooner and former Commissioner Jan Vosburgh are the only candidates to qualify for the three seats up for election in Braden…
August 31, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria prepared for Hurricane Dorian and beyond

Anna Maria prepares for Hurricane Dorian and beyond

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Hurricane Dorian’s threat has decreased, but the city of Anna Maria is prepared and applying lessons learned from Hurricane Irma in 2017. As a precautionary measure, the city c…
August 31, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach readies for Dorian

Bradenton Beach readies for Dorian

BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach declared a local state of emergency on Friday afternoon as part of its precautionary Hurricane Dorian preparations. The declaration occurred in the fo…
August 27, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria taking new approach to noise violations

Anna Maria taking new approach to noise violations

ANNA MARIA – City officials are working on an amended noise ordinance that if adopted on final reading next month will result in $35 citations being issued for a first noise ordinance violation. R…
August 27, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Counterfeit money being passed around

Counterfeit money being passed around

MANATEE COUNTY – Several area businesses have been presented with counterfeit $50 and $100 bills in recent weeks. On Friday, Aug. 23, a counterfeit $50 bill was taken as payment at the Pig Out BBQ…
August 27, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Commission clarifies pier lease parameters

Commission clarifies pier lease parameters

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission have established which portions of the new Anna Maria City Pier will be leased to the current and/or future pier tenant. On Thursday, Aug. 22…
August 20, 2019
By Joe Hendricks

Crane, Woodland file preliminary campaign paperwork

ANNA MARIA – The city’s two-week election qualifying period opened Monday and closes at noon on Friday, Aug. 30. Incumbent Commissioner Dale Woodland and Planning and Zoning Board Chairman Jon Cra…
August 20, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Gulf Drive Café expansion approved

Gulf Drive Café expansion approved

BRADENTON BEACH – Gulf Drive Café owners Wendy and George Kokolis have the city’s approval to expand their beachfront business operations. On Thursday, Aug. 15, the city commission unanimously app…