Category: Features

Keystone Heights lake community frustrated over low water levels Pt. 1 (video added)

By Donna Green-Townsend and Amanda Jackson (UPDATE: a 15 min. video follows the text)     The Keystone Heights community has been damaged economically by decreasing lake levels.  As the town teams up with the St. John’s River Water Management District, residents are hoping they are moving toward some solutions. Keystone Heights Mayor Mary Lou Hildreth said her … Continue reading Keystone Heights lake community frustrated over low water levels Pt. 1 (video added)



Historic and Romantic St. Augustine

(Artistic video production) I was inspired to make this short video, Historic and Romantic St. Augustine, because of three things:  My sister’s wedding in St. Augustine in one of the historic B & Bs, St. Augustine itself and the music and lyrics of Florida musicians and poets Clyde and Lorelei Walker and Mary Anna Evans.  Though I was only using … Continue reading Historic and Romantic St. Augustine



Don’t Dress For Dinner Opens At The Hippodrome (08/30/2013)

Aired on WUFT August 30, 2013 The sequel to the popular comedy, Boeing-Boeing is now on stage at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville.  Don’t Dress For Dinner, which is the first play of the Hipp’s 41st season, has had success on Broadway and in London.  Donna Green-Townsend talked with Michelle Bellaver who plays Suzette the … Continue reading Don’t Dress For Dinner Opens At The Hippodrome (08/30/2013)



Lake Butler Community Celebrates The Life Of Marvin Pritchett

By Justin Galicz, Tori Saputo, Yelena Orrelly  and Donna Green-Townsend on August 30th, 2013 The Lake Butler community mourned the death of Marvin Pritchett on Friday.  Pritchett was a life-long resident of the community and business leader who was shot and killed by former employee Hubert Allen Jr. this past weekend. More than 1,000 people paid tribute to the … Continue reading Lake Butler Community Celebrates The Life Of Marvin Pritchett



Lake Butler Trying to Pull Together ‘Real Tight’ In Wake Of Third Shooting Victim Death

By Amanda Jackson  and Donna Green-Townsend on August 27th, 2013 Flags remain at half-staff outside many businesses around Lake Butler, where a community mourns the loss of a third victim from a deadly Saturday shooting spree. Forty-four year old David Griffis was shot in the stomach and rushed to the Shands at UF Trauma Unit … Continue reading Lake Butler Trying to Pull Together ‘Real Tight’ In Wake Of Third Shooting Victim Death



‘Pillar To This Community’ Gone From Union County After Pritchett Trucking Shootings

‘Pillar To This Community’ Gone From Union County After Pritchett Trucking Shootings By Zack Peterson, Donna Green-Townsend, Shannon Donev  and Lauren Crawford on August 26th, 2013 A 72-year-old Lake Butler man who killed himself after fatally shooting his former boss and a coworker and wounding two others left a hand-written note listing targets, Union County … Continue reading ‘Pillar To This Community’ Gone From Union County After Pritchett Trucking Shootings



Gabe Valla and Sam Pacetti

  Tonight (8/17/2013) there was a reunion of sorts. That’s when musicians Gabe Valla and Sam Pacetti gave their long-awaited second performance in Gainesville’s Thomas Center.  The two guitar players, who now both live in the St. Augustine area, first met as teenagers at a memorial service for the late Gamble Rogers, who is now honored in the Florida Artists … Continue reading Gabe Valla and Sam Pacetti



U.S. Senators Nelson and Rubio Hold Senate Field Hearing in Apalachicola

By Elle Newbold  and Donna Green-Townsend on August 13th, 2013 The full Senate Field Hearing on the Effects of Water Flows on the Apalachicola Bay Short and Long-term Perspectives can be viewed on the link below: (recorded in the Franklin County Courthouse Annex on August 13th, 2013) http://thefloridachannel.org/video/81313-u-s-senate-committee-on-commerce-science-transportation-field-hearing-effects-of-water-flows-on-apalachicola-bay/ Or to hear highlights click on the … Continue reading U.S. Senators Nelson and Rubio Hold Senate Field Hearing in Apalachicola



These Diamonds

The late Will McLean spent his life writing songs to save Florida through music.  Now the foundation named after the father of Florida folk is marketing an environmental CD trying to continue McLean’s lifelong mission.  The acoustic CD features musicians from across the Sunshine State singing about a wide variety of environmental stories and issues.  … Continue reading These Diamonds



George Tortorelli and Lisa Lynne

Flutist George Tortorelli performing with harpist Lisa Lynne Flutist George Tortorelli and harpist Lisa Lynne can often be found at Gainesville’s Downtown Arts Festival each November.  You can also often find them performing at the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs on Memorial Weekend…that is when they’re not touring across the country with their New … Continue reading George Tortorelli and Lisa Lynne