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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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August 18, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Randy White says he will not seek re-election

Randy White says he will not seek re-election

Updated Aug. 18, 2019 – BRADENTON BEACH – When informed that former City Commissioner Jan Vosburgh plans to challenge him for his Ward 3 commission seat, Commissioner Randy White said today he will n…
August 13, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Pier opening discussed

Pier opening discussed

ANNA MARIA – Commission Chairman Brian Seymour asked Mayor Dan Murphy if the new City Pier will be opened to the public before the interior buildout of the T-end buildings is complete. “I’ve been…
August 13, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Chappie will seek a second term as mayor

Chappie will seek a second term as mayor

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie will seek reelection in the 2019 city elections. “I do plan on running for a second term as mayor. I’ll be filling out my initial paperwork this week and my fi…
August 13, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Repeat noise violations a lingering concern

Repeat noise violations a lingering concern

ANNA MARIA – City officials are searching for ways to better address vacation rental-related noise ordinance violations, with a focus on vacation rentals that produce repeat noise complaints. Duri…
August 6, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anchorage enforcement remains a work in progress

Anchorage enforcement remains a work in progress

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials continue their quest for more effective anchorage enforcement of the unmanaged navigable waters near the Bridge Street Pier. Those unmanaged waters and the liveabo…
August 6, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Mayor proposes maintaining current millage rate

Mayor proposes maintaining current millage rate

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy proposes maintaining the longstanding 2.05 millage rate for the 2019-2020 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. When discussing the budget with city commissioners on July 2…
August 6, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Pier progressing as planned

Pier progressing as planned

ANNA MARIA – The construction of the new city pier remains on schedule, and the city has identified $74,000 in anticipated savings regarding the construction of the pier-based restaurant and bait sho…
August 6, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Aubry files ADA complaint about pier railings

Aubry files ADA complaint about pier railings

ANNA MARIA – Former City Commissioner Eugene “Gene” Aubry has filed a complaint with the United States Justice Department regarding the commission’s 2018 decision to not install handrails on the new…
August 6, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach's new floating dock now in use

Bradenton Beach’s new floating dock now in use

BRADENTON BEACH – The new floating public dock next to the historic Bridge Street Pier is now open and being used by boaters. The Hecker Construction Company completed the dock installation last w…
July 30, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
George Wilson Jr. celebrated

George Wilson Jr. celebrated

ANNA MARIA – Hundreds of friends and family members showed up at the Anna Maria General Store on Monday, July 22 to celebrate the life of George Wilson Jr. Wilson passed away suddenly and unexpect…
July 30, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
lost pets fundraiser Gulf Drive Cafe

Pup & Cat Crawl helps lost pets

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Benefitting the Lost Pet Services Inc. organization that helps reunite lost pets with their owners, the inaugural Pup & Cat Crawl fundraiser on Friday, July 26 raised $2,050 a…
July 30, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
City seeks reimbursement for Sunshine lawsuit expenses

City seeks reimbursement for Sunshine lawsuit expenses

BRADENTON BEACH – The city will try to recover some or all of the estimated $450,000 in attorney fees and legal costs city taxpayers incurred in the Sunshine Law lawsuit filed two years ago by the ci…
July 30, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Copeland will not seek reelection

Copeland will not seek re-election

ANNA MARIA – City Commissioner Doug Copeland will not next seek re-election in the upcoming city elections that will conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Copeland made this announcement from the dais towa…
July 23, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Vessels break free, threaten new dock

Vessels break free, threaten new dock

BRADENTON BEACH – Two boats in the unmanaged anchorage near the Bridge Street Pier broke loose Saturday afternoon, one making contact with the new floating dock being installed along the south side o…
July 23, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Force main replacement comes to Bradenton Beach

Force main replacement comes to Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County’s force main sewer pipe replacement project is going to soon impact residents and business owners south of the Cortez Bridge. Bradenton Beach officials hope to avo…