April 9 – Marcia Lane, roving reporter

This news bulletin is brought to you in conjunction with NATKIM Radio. Listen to WPLK (800 AM), WIYD (1260 AM) and WPLK FM (98.3 FM).

A St. Johns County man has been arrested in the shooting death of an area man in December. Vermount James Anderson, 37, on Monday at a residence on Bruen Street in St. Augustine was charged with the first degree murder of Everett Davon Thompson. Thompson’s body was found in a rented pickup truck in rural St. Johns County. The Sheriff’s Office says Anderson owed Thompson several thousand dollars and on the day of the murder Thompson went to his house in St. Augustine to collect. Anderson is being held without bond.

Former candidate for Putnam County sheriff — Edison Edison — has filed his intent to again run for the post in 2020, according to Putnam County Supervisor of Elections Charles Overturf III.

Following a fire that destroyed their Paradise Shores residence a family of seven is coming to terms with their loss. Clothing is need for an adult male — 2-3x and 40×32 pants or 2x shorts; adult woman —2x shirts and pants or size 18; 8-year-old boy — size nine; two seven-year-old girls — size 8; 5-year-old boy (no size given); 18 month-old boy — size 24 months.

Authorities say the body of a 19-year-old male found Sunday in a canal in the Melrose area is that of Mathew Cemer. Fingerpints and another lead led to discovery of the teen’s identity. Results of an autopsy performed Monday are expected to be released but no obvious signs of trauma to the body were found when  pulled out of the canal off Big Lake Santa Fe. Cemer had not been reported missing although when contacted the family said he had been missing several days. Cemer was a junior counselor at John Wayne Chapter DeMolay of Gainesville. The organization is for young males between 12 and 21 year of age. Alachua County Sheriff’s Office is investigating since the recovery effort began and ended from an Alachua dock. The body was located in a canal in Bradford. Authorities are looking for information about Cemer’s whereabouts, activities or associates before Sunday. Call the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 352-367-4170, submit anonymous tips at nixle.com or text their ZIP code to 888777.

Recent Creekside High School graduate Milla Ciprian will remember this year’s NCAA Final Four.She was part of a student-athlete quartet that sang The Star Spangled Banner during Final Four playoff on Saturday. Ciprian recently graduated from St. John County and is now a first year All ACC academic recipient as a volleyball layer for the Cavaliers.

Nearly a dozen agencies and groups are coming together Friday to put on a block party at the Palatka Riverfront to raise awareness that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Florida Health Department Putnam, Putnam County and Early Learning Coalition are among the groups that will be offering family-friendly games and food from 5-7 p.m. as they raise awareness about the abuse issue.

Bunnell City Commissioner Bill Bailey turns 80 today. He got an early present as he was sworn in for his third term as a commissioner Monday evening.

This is Marcia Lane, your roving reporter.