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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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January 8, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach commission goals 2019

Commission discusses its 2019 goals

BRADENTON BEACH – During the Bradenton Beach City Commission’s first meeting of the year, Mayor John Chappie mentioned several items he and the commission hope to address in 2019. Commissioner and…
January 8, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach Gulf Drive bike path

Gulf Drive bike paths require more cleaning

BRADENTON BEACH – In response to complaints received, Public Works Director Tom Woodard is exploring ways to provide cleaner bike paths along Gulf Drive. On Friday, Jan. 4, Woodard sent an email t…
January 8, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria officials share hopes

Anna Maria officials share hopes

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and Anna Maria Commissioners Brian Seymour and Amy Tripp recently shared their hopes for the city in 2019. Completing the pier project and continuing the city’s drain…
January 1, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Sun Person Murphy

Dan Murphy is Sun’s Person of the Year

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy is The Sun’s 2018 Person of the Year. Working with the city commission, city staff and outside contractors, Murphy spent much of 2018 working on getting a…
December 31, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Red tide

Bradenton Beach year in review

BRADENTON BEACH – Red tide, the delayed dock project, disruptions for Avenue C residents, city elections and a Sunshine Law lawsuit were among the top Bradenton Beach stories in 2018. Red tide The…
December 31, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
AM Pier rendering

Anna Maria year in review

ANNA MARIA – The replacement of the Anna Maria City Pier, the red tide cleanup, increased drainage and paving expenditures, beach access rights and city-hosted special events were among the city’s ne…
December 20, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Delmar Apolonio Benefit

Delmar Apolonio remembered and celebrated

CORTEZ – The Cortez Kitchen and the friends of longtime employee Delmar Apolonio held a fundraiser on Tuesday, Dec. 18. The money raised will help grant Apolonio’s final wish: to be returned to his B…
December 18, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Holiday of Treasures Two Scoops

Holiday of Treasures beats the rain

ANNA MARIA – The rain and windy weather held off just long enough for the Anna Maria Holiday of Treasures Open House to take place as planned on Friday, Dec. 14 from 5:30-8 p.m. With Pine Avenue c…
December 18, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria holiday carol singers

Community gathers for holiday carols in the park

ANNA MARIA – The city hosted a weather-modified Holiday Carols in the Park event on Friday, Dec. 14. Despite the threat of rain, nearly 100 people showed up at City Pier Park late Friday afternoon…
December 18, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
AM Pier rendering

Pier tenant lease terms being considered

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy is asking city commissioners to provide their feedback on the lease terms they want for the tenant of the soon-to-be-built Anna Maria City Pier. Construction of the n…
December 13, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Delmar Apolonio Benefit

Benefit for Delmar Apolonio Tuesday

CORTEZ – The Cortez Kitchen will host a benefit for longtime employee Delmar Apolonio on Tuesday, Dec. 18 from 4-9 p.m. Apolonio, 54, is hospitalized and battling Stage IV cancer, according to Apo…
December 11, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach day dock settlement

CRA reaches settlement with Technomarine

BRADENTON BEACH – The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Technomarine have negotiated a settlement agreement that if fulfilled should result in the installation of a new floating day dock next…
December 11, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach Sunshine lawsuit Mapes

Trial date set for Sunshine lawsuit

BRADENTON BEACH – The Sunshine Law lawsuit involving six former city board members is tentatively scheduled for trial on or around March 11. The trial date was established during a Monday, Dec. 3…
December 11, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Holiday of Treasures elf

Holiday of Treasures Open House is Friday

ANNA MARIA – As part of the Holiday of Treasures Open House, Anna Maria merchants invite folks to stroll through the city and enjoy light refreshments at participating businesses along Pine Avenue an…
December 11, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Celebrate Christmas on Bridge Street

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bridge Street Merchants will host their annual Christmas on Bridge Street holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 4-6:30 p.m. The holiday festivities will take place up…