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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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July 23, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Pier lease talks gain momentum

Pier lease talks gain momentum

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and current city pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder recently reviewed a draft document that includes several potential options for the lease of the new pier. T…
July 22, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Judge rules CNOBB members violated Sunshine Law

Judge rules CNOBB members violated Sunshine Law

BRADENTON – Manatee County 12th Circuit Judge Edward Nicholas ruled Friday that former Planning and Zoning Board members Reed Mapes, John Metz, Patty Shay and Bill Vincent, and former Scenic WAVES Co…
July 16, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
George Wilson Jr. – a legendary life

George Wilson Jr. – a legendary life

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island lost a beloved friend and local character when 67-year-old George Cameron Wilson Jr. passed away on Monday, July 8. Wilson worked at the Anna Maria General St…
July 16, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Shark dragging trial moved to September

Shark dragging trial moved to September

Updated July 23, 2019 – TAMPA – Robert “Bo” Benac is now scheduled to stand trial on Monday, Sept. 16 for his alleged role in a much-publicized shark dragging incident captured on video in 2017. T…
July 16, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Floating dock installation begins

Floating dock installation begins

BRADENTON BEACH – The long-delayed floating dock is now in the initial stages of being installed alongside the Bridge Street Pier. A four-man crew from the Gibsonton-based Hecker Construction Comp…
July 15, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Sunshine trial gets underway

Sunshine trial gets underway

BRADENTON – The Sunshine Law lawsuit involving the city of Bradenton Beach and six former city advisory board members is underway. The civil trial began today. The suit was filed in 2017 on behalf…
July 9, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Metz deposed in Sunshine lawsuit

Metz deposed in Sunshine lawsuit

BRADENTON – Former Planning and Zoning Board member and Sunshine Law lawsuit defendant John Metz has been deposed, but his computer may be subjected to a forensic examination. Representing the cit…
July 9, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Breanne crowned karaoke champ

Breanne crowned karaoke champ

BRADENTON – Cortez Kitchen employee and Bradenton resident Shannon Breanne recently won the Suncoast Entertainment Karaoke Contest. The seven-week contest took place at the Joyland Country Music N…
July 3, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Swordfish Grill hosting permitted fireworks display Friday night

Swordfish Grill hosting permitted fireworks display Friday night

CORTEZ – The Independence Day festivities will continue for an extra day when the Swordfish Grill hosts a legally-permitted fireworks display on Friday, July 5. Swordfish Grill owner John Banyas o…
July 2, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
County submits Coquina Beach tree replacement plan

County submits Coquina Beach tree replacement plan

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County has provided the city with a landscape plan that shows where 103 new trees will be planted at Coquina Beach. The new trees will replace 103 Australian pines to be rem…
July 2, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
HardiePlank selected for pier building exteriors

HardiePlank selected for pier building exteriors

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have decided the exteriors of the new pier restaurant and bait shop buildings will be covered with HardiePlank lap siding instead of Kebony hardwood siding. HardieP…
June 30, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Commission considers and rejects three Sunshine settlements

Commission considers, rejects three Sunshine lawsuit settlements

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach commissioners have rejected three proposed Sunshine Law lawsuit settlement offers. Earlier that day, Friday, June 28, lawsuit defendants Bill Vincent, Rose Vincen…
June 26, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Sanclemente honored as Certified Municipal Clerk

Sanclemente honored as Certified Municipal Clerk

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach City Clerk Terri Sanclemente has been officially recognized as a Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC). That recognition occurred at the Thursday, June 20 Bradenton Bea…
June 25, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach to receive $2 million in state funds

Bradenton Beach to receive $3 million in state funds

Updated June 26, 2019 – BRADENTON BEACH – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed off on more than $3 million in state funds for the city. The Florida Legislature supported the funding requests e…
June 25, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria appreciates county, state pier support

Anna Maria appreciates county, state pier support

ANNA MARIA – City officials are grateful for the continued support the city’s receiving from the county and the state for the construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier. On Monday, June 17, the…