I found the Italian version of the article here. I'm trying to find other mentions of her in Italian, as that may bring up something new but no luck so far.
I'm new to this case but Marylinilpa, did you ever find out who that witness was? Do you think there was anything suspicious about him? Also, I had an idea that I will try to research but help is always welcome. What if it was a co-worker? I found no mention of coworkers being investigated. I mean: a coworker obsessed with her could have found out through casual conversation where her parents lived and that she visited them on weekends. Then he/she made an effort to casually find her and offered her a ride. She accepts because it's someone she knows and trusts.
As to the fight with the red shoe, if she was with someone she knew she could have figured out that that person had no excuse to be in the area (in the case of a coworker, going all the way to Cleveland would require something like paperwork or family), is heading the wrong way or sounding threatening, so an altercation ensues. Perhaps even the red shoe was a way of leaving some kind of track because it's something so noticeable. The witness could have gotten the location wrong or someone (even kids playing on the street) could have taken it away.
I don't believe co-workers were questioned extensively, they were just asked general questions about Lola. She was a new teacher and wasn't all that well known to her colleagues.
The witness was questioned once, briefly, and then again in more depth. He apparently didn't recall anything more than what he initially told police. Believe it or not, there was very little info about him in the police files. I have his name written down somewhere, but my research files on Lola are boxed up in storage. Perhaps this weekend I can go by and rummage through them to see if I can locate his name.
I have mixed feelings about the red shoe. Maybe it was left behind on purpose by Lola, or maybe it had no connection at all to Lola. There is just not enough info to go on about that.
Lola was a deeply religious Catholic girl from a tight-knit family. She and her brother, though not the same age, were as close as twins by all accounts. I recall that Catholic churches throughout the area were visited to see if Lola had decided to become a nun.
From all accounts, she wasn't dating anyone, and I don't believe there was an angry ex-boyfriend in her past.
I think Lola accepted a ride from an old high-school friend, a neighbor she knew, a trusted authority figure (from school, church?), or a family friend. I definitely do not believe she would take a ride from a stranger, or from someone she didn't know well. Your idea of Lola accepting a ride from a co-worker is intriguing.
I have tried, and failed, to find out how Lola arrived in Columbus for her visit. She may have come by bus, or she might have gotten a ride from a co-worker. I spoke to her aging sister a couple of years ago, and she could not recall anything about that.
I have the name of the school Lola worked for, also in storage, so I'll look for that info too. Sorry I can't remember off the top of my head.
Thanks for your terrific questions!
They're really helpful. If she hadn't worked there for long that would explain why she's not in the 1945 yearbook (if I'm looking at the right school at all). 
