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
August 29, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria City Pier

Second pier construction RFP being issued

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy expects a new request for proposals (RFP) for the construction of a new city pier to be issued by the end of this week. During the Aug. 23 City Commission meeting, Mu…
August 28, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee Primary

Bellamy, Servia and Whitmore win primary races

Incumbent Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore won her primary race, incumbent Commissioner Charles Smith lost his and Misty Servia won the District 4 Republican primary contest. Reggie…
August 28, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Nets to neighbors

‘Nets to Neighbors’ next phase of red tide cleanup

BRADENTON – After one week, Manatee County has ended its contracted canal and waterway cleanup efforts with APTIM and is transitioning to a voluntary “Nets to Neighbors” cleanup and maintenance campa…
August 28, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
red tide canal cleanup

County contracting APTIM for canal cleanup

BRADENTON – Manatee County is contracting APTIM to remove the dead fish and marine life accumulating in residential canals and channels due to red tide. The pending contractual arrangement was ann…
August 25, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Red tide sign

Red tide update

MANATEE COUNTY – Red tide continues to impact Anna Maria Island beaches and Manatee County waterways. In water samples tested by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as of Friday…
August 21, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
red tide Recovery Meeting

Restaurateurs combat red tide

CORTEZ – Local restaurateurs, food and beverage industry professionals and others gathered at the Swordfish Grill last week to discuss the economic impacts of red tide. The hour-long informal disc…
August 14, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Beach raker Tide Raker Read

Beach raker to the rescue

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatee County equipment operator Mark Taylor has played a crucial role in the red tide cleanup efforts taking place on the Island’s Gulfside beaches. Using a tractor to pull a…
August 14, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County seal

County praised for cleanup, but…

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – City officials on Anna Maria Island are praising Manatee County’s response to the red tide crisis, particularly in terms of cleaning up the beaches along the Gulf of Mexico shorel…
August 14, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Red Tide Sunset

Governor declares state of emergency due to red tide

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Rick Scott has issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency due to impacts of red tide in Manatee County and six other counties. Sarasota, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Ch…
August 11, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Red Tide Cortez Fishermen

Cortez fishermen assist with red tide cleanup

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria called upon Cortez fishermen Nathan Meschelle and Michael Dolan to help remove dead fish that littered the city shoreline because of red tide. Meschelle and Dol…
August 7, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
AM Pier Permit

Pier construction permits issued

ANNA MARIA – The city now has the federal permits needed to build a new city pier. On Friday, Aug. 3, Mayor Dan Murphy sent an email to city commissioners that said, “We have just received the app…
August 7, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Red Tide Bradenton Beach Anchorage

Red tide reaches Anna Maria Island

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The impacts of red tide are being felt up and down Anna Maria Island. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website describes red tide as an algae bloom that prod…
July 31, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach stormwater outflow

Stormwater projects reevaluated

BRADENTON BEACH – When discussing pending stormwater projects for Avenue C and Avenue B, city commissioners decided they want Avenue C repaved as soon as possible. Avenue C and the driveways that…
July 31, 2018
By Joe Hendricks

Planning and Zoning chair resigns

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board chairman Jim Lynch has resigned. Lynch submitted his written resignation by email to Mayor John Chappie, City Clerk Terri Sanclemente an…
July 31, 2018
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria pier bids

Pier construction bids rejected

ANNA MARIA – The city pier has been demolished, and the search continues for a construction firm to build the new pier. Last week, city commissioners unanimously supported Mayor Dan Murphy’s recom…