The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously approved a public-private partnership with SJC Cultural Events, Inc. (SJCCE) on September 19, 2023. Starting October 1, SJCCE will manage and operate the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, while the County retains ownership and leasehold interests. SJCCE, a nonprofit organization, will handle event management, promotion, facility expense oversight, and maintenance. The partnership aims to improve cost efficiency, enhance community benefits, and provide exceptional service to residents and visitors. The St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, recognized for their cultural impact, hosted a combined total of…
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Detectives Crack Murder of St. Augustine Priest, Set to be Featured on A&E Crime Show
A&E’s primetime show, “Interrogation Raw,” will feature a high-profile murder case from St. Augustine, Florida, in its season two premiere on September 21. The episode, titled “The Missing Priest,” will focus on the 2017 kidnapping and murder of Father Rene Robert, who was killed by a man he was trying to help. The episode will include footage from the multi-state manhunt for the suspect, Steven Murray, and his subsequent police interrogation. It will also feature commentary from the detectives involved in the case. Father Robert had previously stated in a 1995 declaration of life that if he was ever murdered,…
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Pilot Error Blamed in Fatal St. Augustine Airport Crash
Two years after a fatal plane crash at Northeast Florida Regional Airport, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that pilot error was the cause. The crash, which killed a flight instructor and a student pilot prospect, occurred when a Cessna 152 stalled and crashed during approach to the runway. The NTSB found no mechanical failure, and aviation expert Ed Booth stated that the plane was in a flyable condition. The stall happened just 100 feet above the ground, leaving no time for recovery. Booth outlined three warnings that could have alerted the pilot to the impending stall. The…
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Kilos of Fentanyl, Stolen Police Gun Discovered in Traffic Stop
A traffic stop for speeding on I-95 northbound near State Road 207 in Elkton, Florida, led to the discovery of drugs and firearms by a St. Johns County deputy and a U.S. Border Patrol Agent. The driver, Cleon Miller, 31, of Ft. Lauderdale, was already wanted by authorities in Broward County. A K-9 unit detected drugs in the vehicle, leading to a search that revealed a loaded Draco AK-47 pistol, a Glock 43 pistol, and a stolen Sig Sauer pistol. The trunk contained 26 pounds of crystal meth and two kilos of fentanyl, enough to potentially kill a million people.…
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