Skip to main content
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.
Email Joe Hendricks
October 25, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Fire damages Shore restaurant

LONGBOAT KEY – The Shore restaurant under construction at 800 Broadway sustained damage in a fire the night of Wednesday, Oct. 24. No injuries were reported, and the cause remains unknown. The int…
October 23, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Firefighters active in city commission campaign

BRADENTON BEACH – West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) Fire Chief Tom Sousa wants Bradenton Beach voters to know the fire district does not endorse city commission candidates. However, the Suncoast Pro…
October 23, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach Avenue C contract

Avenue C projects approved

BRADENTON BEACH – City Commissioners have authorized a $302,626 contract with Westra Construction to expedite drainage improvements and rights of way and driveway restorations along Avenue C. Minu…
October 23, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Property taxes become campaign talking points

BRADENTON BEACH – City Commission candidates have distributed campaign materials that prompted The Sun to fact check claims being made regarding property taxes. Candidate Tjet Martin mailed out a…
October 16, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County logo

County Commission candidates address campaign issues

Anna Maria Island and Cortez voters will help determine the winner of the District 6, at-large County Commission race between incumbent commissioner Carol Whitmore and challenger Candace Luther. T…
October 16, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach Ave C restoration

Avenue C restoration accelerated

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners want to make stormwater and drainage improvements along Avenue C sooner rather than later. As part of that process, the commission also wants to restore, at the c…
October 15, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Hurricane relief drive taking place in Cortez

CORTEZ – The Swordfish Grill, the Cortez Bait & Seafood Company, The Blessing Bags Project and the Service Industry Relief Festivities (SIRF) organization are teaming up to provide supplies to Fl…
October 9, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

More thoughts shared by commission candidates

BRADENTON BEACH – City Commission candidates Ralph Cole, Marilyn Maro, Tjet Martin and John Metz recently shared their thoughts on their campaigns and the issues the City Commission deals with. Co…
October 9, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach bike share

Bike share service proposed in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Mobile Muttley’s owners Thomas Pechous and Tracy Thrall presented their proposed bike share service to city commissioners last week. While no commission action was required, the…
October 8, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Island cities prepare for Hurricane Michael

Updated Oct. 9 – ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As Hurricane Michael approaches Florida’s west coast, local officials are making storm preparations. Lt. John Cosby serves as Bradenton Beach’s emergency opera…
October 6, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Government Kids Chappie

Students to take over city hall on Local Government Day

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and the city of Bradenton Beach have invited 75 Bradenton Christian School third-graders to participate in the “Youth In Politics – E…
October 6, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Martin Campaign Violation

Commission candidate omits required disclaimer

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach City Commission candidate Tjet Martin recently mailed a campaign letter to 246 city voters that does not include a political disclaimer required by state law. Mar…
October 2, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Red Tide SBA loans

Economic injury loans available

Greg Dawson, Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Disaster Assistance Field Operations met with a group of Bradenton Beach business owners last week a…
October 2, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

A swordfishing pioneer remembered

CORTEZ – Legendary swordfish and tuna boat captain Warren Cannon passed away recently after a body surfing accident in St. Augustine. On Saturday, Sept. 29, Cannon’s ashes were scattered in the wa…
October 2, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Commission candidates discuss city issues

BRADENTON BEACH – Incumbent commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro, former Scenic WAVES Committee chair Tjet Martin and former Planning and Zoning Board member John Metz are competing for the two…