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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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January 19, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
AM Fence Barren

Request to amend fence ordinance falls short

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria commissioner Amy Tripp is concerned about the increasing number of solid vinyl fences and the lack of landscaping along the city’s residential streets. Tripp’s fellow commi…
January 19, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
AM Pine Ave Parking

Pine Avenue parking to be reviewed

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy wants city commissioners to give some thought as to how parking and public safety issues can be better addressed along Pine Avenue. The Anna Maria City Commission has…
January 17, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach sunshine lawsuit Sanclemente

Sunshine lawsuit depositions continue

BRADENTON BEACH – Former mayor Jack Clarke and current City Clerk Terri Sanclemente have been deposed in the city’s ongoing Sunshine Law lawsuit. On Monday, Jan. 7, Clarke was the first person dep…
January 15, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Beach Smoking ban

Gruters proposes statewide beach smoking ban

SARASOTA – If Florida Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) has his way, Anna Maria Island’s beaches and those throughout Florida would become no-smoking zones. Filed on Jan. 2, Gruters’ Senate Bill 21…
January 15, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach Bridge Street remodel

Does Bridge Street need a redesign?

BRADENTON BEACH – Should Bridge Street be turned into a one-way street, be closed completely to vehicular traffic or remain as it is? That’s a question the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment…
January 15, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
DeSantis Mote Marine

Governor launches environmental reforms

SARASOTA – New Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is wasting no time addressing water quality issues, including harmful algae blooms. On Thursday, Jan. 10, DeSantis signed Executive Order 19-12 as part of…
January 8, 2019
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach paving delays

Force main delays impacting Gulf Drive traffic

BRADENTON BEACH – The paving and reopening of the northbound Gulf Drive travel lane near the intersection with Cortez Road has been delayed due to complications with Manatee County’s force main repla…
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…