Sarasota Livin'

Syesha Mercado's stops in Sarasota and Bradenton is exposure that money can't buy. via Oldies108.com

Sarasota native Syesha Mercado will be on the Suncoast tomorrow celebrating with fans the fact that she is now among three contestants left on this year's American Idol. via AM 1320 and 1450 The Dove

"Each day we go without rain is making it drier and drier and drier."

A protracted drought, expected to persist until June, is providing ideal wildfire conditions across central and southern Florida. via The Ledger

"From my nine years of experience, that's typically what happens. A guy thinks he can handle a situation, and one little mishap is all it takes."

James Lykins spent most of his adult life as a tree trimmer, a high-wire balancing act of chain saws and great heights that sometimes claims lives. via Tampa Bay Online

"Jason, you can pack your bags."

And then there were four. The remaining Idol hopefuls opened the songbook from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Tuesday night with a bevy of classic tunes to choose from. via Asheville Citizen-Times

"It is going to be a very tight schedule for Syesha"

Hi Everyone, Have a huge favor to ask of all of you. Tonight is a big night for Syesha Mercado and Sarasota. via HeraldTribune.com

Its getting down to the nitty gritty on American Idol, where Sarasota's Syesha Mercado is hoping to make it into the Top 3 tonight. via Oldies108.com

A semi truck driver is in serious condition this morning following an early morning accident involving a dump truck and a street sweeper on I-75. Florida Highway Patrol troopers say the crash happened around 1 ... via WTSP-TV Saint Petersburg

Sarasota Herald-Tribune, on providing the Boston Red Sox with a financial deal to move their spring training to Sarasota: Reds or Red Sox: What a difference two letters make. via The Florida Times-Union

A Sarasota man was shot in the thigh Tuesday after authorities say he spooked some men who were operating a marijuana grow house in south Manatee. via Tampa Bay Online

"It's to a much safer location, a much cleaner location"

The Legacy Trail may be open, but getting there is another story, especially at the north end of the trail in Palmer Ranch. via HeraldTribune.com

"We look forward to providing an exclusive and totally indulgent spa experience for hotel guests and visitors alike at this idyllic location"

The developers of the Proscenium announced plans Monday to add a Guerlain Spa Boutique to the $1 billion real estate project, adding to a roster of proposed luxury components that includes a Broadway-styled ... via HeraldTribune.com

"If someone has $40 million in medical expenses and settles for $1.9 million, it might look like something isn't right"

Even with a $1.5 million settlement they received this week, the parents of Lexi Antorino will not have nearly enough money to care for their daughter, who was injured by an unanchored swing set last year. via HeraldTribune.com

"You don't see it a lot, but that is why these are presumptive tests. It's enough to have someone arrested, but it is not enough to take to court."

When the police stopped him one night in Sarasota, Villis Sanders told officers that the small blue pills in his car were Aleve, an over-the-counter medicine for his aching wisdom teeth. via HeraldTribune.com

Sarasota, Florida A man shot and killed his sister Thusday night during an argument in the home they shared. via WTSP-TV Saint Petersburg

"We're in the very early stages of doing this, but we need to explore our options - whether it's in Lee County or somewhere else."

The Boston Red Sox have spoken with officials in Sarasota, Fla., about relocating their spring training home from Fort Myers to the facility that will become vacant when the Cincinnati Reds move to Arizona in ... via The Florida Times-Union

SARASOTA, Fla. - Sun Hydraulics Corporation announces the following Webcast: When: May 7, 2008 @ 2:30 PM Eastern Where: http://www.investorcalendar.com/ClientPage.asp?ID=128426 How: Live over the Internet -- ... via Earth Times

The world champion Boston Red Sox could move their spring training from Ft. Myers to Sarasota after the Cincinnati Reds leave next year. via Oldies108.com

The local airport could have a new name in the future. Officials are considering a change to Sarasota-Manatee International, to better represent all of the folks in Manatee County. via WSRZ

Right now, there isn't a plane that flies across the pond from SRQ. Officials think the timing is right, because the dollar's exchange rate is nearly $1.60 to one Euro. via WSRZ