Molino Man Acquitted Of 2024 Murder
March 15, 2025
A Molino man has been acquitted of a 2024 murder in Bellview.
An Escambia County jury returned the not guilty verdict in the trial of Alexander George Deloach for the second-degree murder of Napoleon Powell.
Powell was shot and killed on February 12, 2024, in the 7000 block of Moore Road.
Deloach remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond multiple other charges.
Man Critically Injured In Highway 4 Crash In North Santa Rosa
March 15, 2025
A 22-year-old Baker man was critically injured in a single vehicle crash on Highway 4 near Berrydale.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the man was the sole occupant of a pickup truck traveling east on Highway 4 when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle left the roadway. The truck then collided with two culverts and overturned, ejecting the driver. FHP said the driver was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
The driver was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
File photo.
Northview Falls To T.R. Miller In Friday Night Battle
March 15, 2025
The Northview Chiefs couldn’t overcome an early deficit Friday night, falling 5-1 to the T.R. Miller Tigers in front of a home crowd in Bratt.
T.R. Miller struck first in the opening inning with a double to bring in a run. The Tigers extended their lead in the third with two RBI singles, making it a tough climb for the Chiefs.
Northview junior Braynt Mason delivered a strong performance on the mound, allowing just one earned run while striking out nine over five and two-thirds innings
Kelan Jury and Cole Davis each had a hit for Northview, with Jury driving in the team’s lone run as he went 1-3 for the day. The Chiefs played clean defense, committing no errors, with Luke Chavers leading the team with 10 fielding chances.
Northview will take spring break off before returning to action March 24 at Baker.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Ice Flyers Beat The Storm 3-2 Friday Night
March 15, 2025
The Pensacola Ice Flyers secured a much-needed win Friday night, battling back from a two-goal deficit to claim a 3-2 victory over the Storm in front of 4,807 hometown fans.
Former Ice Flyer Weiland Parrish started the scoring for the visiting Storm early in the 1st period.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Neither team found the back of the net for the remainder of the opening period as they headed to the first intermission with the Storm leading 1-0.
The Storm extended their lead with another early period goal off the stick of Brandon Stojcevski.
The Ice Flyers didn’t waver and battled back swiftly with three unanswered goals from Nick Pryce, Doug Elgstam, and Sam Dabrowski.
The score remained 3-2 the rest of the way as both teams traded chances in the third period, with the Ice Flyers ultimately securing their first home victory since February 1st.
Escambia County EMS Hosting Open House Rescheduled
March 14, 2025
UPDATE: DUE TO SATURDAY’S CHANCE OF SEVERE WEATHER, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL 12 FROM 12-4 P.M.
Escambia County EMS will host a free open house for the public on Saturday from 12-4 p.m.
“Escambia County EMS is excited to welcome everyone to our open house,” said EMS Chief Chris Watts. “We invite you to learn more about your EMS provider, participate in hands-on activities, and enjoy delicious chili prepared by our team. As we continue to evolve as an organization, we want to get to know the neighbors we serve daily. This is a family-friendly event with a lot of activities for the kids, so we invite the whole family to come out on March 15.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the EMS facility, check out brand-new ambulances and life-saving gadgets, participate in first responder demonstrations, learn hands-on CPR, enjoy fun activities for the kids, and be a judge in the EMS employee chili cook-off.
The event will be held at the Escambia County Public Safety building at 6575 N. “W” Street.
File photo.
Santa Rosa Couple Charged With Child Abuse
March 14, 2025
A 28-year-old mother from Pace and her 29-year-old boyfriend from Jay have been charged with child abuse after a baby was hospitalized with multiple injuries.
Jordan Moore, the mother, was charged with felony child neglect causing great bodily harm. She was released from the Sant Rosa County Jail on a $75,000 bond. Jesse Allen Smith was charged with felony aggravated child abuse. He remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at $300,000.
The Pensacola Police Department alerted the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office on January 8 after Moore brough the baby to Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment. Authorities believe the abuse occurred between November 30, 2024, and January 7, 2025.
An arrest report states that hospital found the child was suffering from injuries that included a broken arm; recently broken ribs; healing broken legs; bite marks to an arm; two missing bottom teeth; and extensive old and new bruising to face, scalp, neck, chest, abdomen, sides, back, buttocks, arms and legs.
Moore told investigators that the injuries were likely sustained during accident and falls in December and January, according to the report, that Smith was not violent toward the baby. She also said he was only alone with her only for infrequent time periods.
She told the hospital that the baby may suffer from ‘Brittle Bone Disease”, but the hospital told deputies that test results for the disease were negative.
Another child told deputies that when they were along with Smith, he would pinch the baby’s nose with work tools, punch her in the mouth, and cover her nose and mouth to prevent her from breathing, the report states.
According to the report, the cell phone search revealed Moore took pictures of the baby’s various injuries since December. Investigators noted she only took the baby to the doctor on Dec. 5 — but not since then despite tracking other significant injuries and illnesses.
The report states cell phone records also showed that Smith had watched the baby multiple times by himself for long periods of time. Deputies noted a Dec. 22 text from Moore to Smith that read: “You purposely hit her head on the door. All I did was ask why you did that and then you threw her in the back seat. You act like you hate my kids and it hurts.”
The report also states that a phone search showed Moore had texted a family member several times from December into mid-January about the baby’s injuries. The family member acknowledged it appeared the baby was a victim of abuse and suggested that Moore not take her out in public over fears the Department of Children and Families would become involved.
Smith denied allegations of abuse, saying that he only playfully pinched her nose with his hand.
The report states deputies also interviewed the baby’s father, who lives out of state, and determined he had no part in the abuse.
Escambia School Board Learns About Northview Ag Science Program And FFA
March 14, 2025
Students and FFA members from the Northview High School Agriscience Academy, along with their instructor Branden Korinchak, made a presentation Thursday to the Escambia County School Board during a workshop.
They shared information about the many career opportunities associated with agricultural industries, and told the boards about their numerous industry certifications and details from last week’s Fresh From Florida event.
During the “Fresh From Florida” agricultural advocacy program, about 650 local elementary school students learned about agriculture through hands-on displays and demonstrations.
“One of the things that struck me is I think everyone of you said what FFA has made you into today, and also you said, more importantly, what FFA is going to make you in the future,” Superintendent Keith Leonard told the students that presented to the board. “That’s really what our school district is all about.”
There are about 180 FFA members at Northview.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Baseball Storms Past Flomaton; NHS Softball Shuts Out Baker; Tate Baseball Wins
March 14, 2025
Northview 4, Flomaton 2
The Northview Chiefs stormed past the Flomaton Hurricanes 4-2 Thursday night in Bratt.
Jase Portwood earned the win for Northview, giving up one hit and two runs in five and two-thirds innings, walking six and striking out six. Braynt Mason threw one-third inning no run inning in relief. Braden Nall opened on the mound for Flomaton, surrendering five hits and four runs (two earned) in five innings, striking out five and walking none. Riley Harrison pitched one inning with no hits, no runs, one walk and one strike out.
Jackson Bridges and Mason had one RBI each for the Chiefs. Bridges, Luke Chavers, Mason, Brady Smith, and Grayden Sheffield each had one hit.
Zach Hester led Flomaton with two RBIs, going 1-3.
Northview will host T.R. Miller Friday night, and Flomaton will travel to Greenville, Alabama.
Tate 17, Fort Walton 5
The Tate Aggies earned a big win over Fort Walton Thursday night 17-5.
Kaleb Posta homered to left field, scoring two runs, for Tate. Posta led the Aggies with three RBIs, going 2-4 for the day. Taite Davis went 3-for-3, while Nathan Connors and Griffin Cook each had multiple hits.
Lance Brady earned the win for Tate, allowing four hits and five runs (three earned) in three innings, walking two and recording four strikeouts.
Up next, Tate will look to claim the championship in the Aggie Classic as it gets underway next week. First up, Tate will host the Charlie Page Sandites of Sand Springs, Oklahoma at 7 p.m. Monday.
SOFTBALL
Northview 12, Baker
The Northview Lady Chiefs shut out the Baker Gators 12-0 Thursday night in Baker. Mikayla McAnally led in the circle for Northview, allowing no hits and no runs in two innings, walking one and striking out two. Daviona Randolph pitched three in relief for the Chiefs, allowing no hits and no runs, walking one and striking out four in three innings in relief.
Randolph led Northview with three RBIs, going 2-3 on the day. Jamison Gilman was 3-4 in the leadoff position, and Riley Brooks was 2-3.
The Lady Chiefs will be idle next week for spring break, returning to action as they host West Florida on March 24.
Navarre 16, Tate 11
The Tate Lady Aggies fell Thursday night at Navarre.
In the top of the firth, Kara Wine homered to right field, scoring two runs, and Kaylie Mitchell homered to left field, scoring two runs.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Gets 12 Years In 1998 Killing. Here’s How ECSO Solved The Case Decades Later
March 14, 2025
An Escambia County man was sentenced to 12 years in state prison on Thursday for a 1998 Winn Dixie parking lot killing that went unsolved for decades.
Donald Holmes II was found guilty of manslaughter with a firearm after first being charged with the murder of Steven Davis. He will receive 352 days of credit for time previously served, and he will be on probation for 12 years after release.
When he was charged last year, Holmes was serving a 20-year sentence in a Florida State prison for a 2012 Escambia County home invasion robbery. He had been set for release in 2032. Both sentences will now run concurrently.
Steven Davis was in his Yellow Cab (pictured below) leaving the parking lot of the Winn Dixie on Navy Boulevard about 4 a.m. on August 26, 1998, when he shot. He got out of his cab, collapsed in the parking lot and died.
Davis’ cab was later recovered near Navy Boulevard with an open driver’s door and rear passenger doors. The driver’s window was shattered.
New forensic technology was used to examine a bloody fingerprint (pictured below) found at the scene, Simons said Tuesday, leading to the identification of Holmes as the suspect.
“We knew the blood was Steven’s blood, but we couldn’t get the detail we needed from this particular fingerprint, but we tried,” Simmons said. “We tried not once, not twice, but three different times…because we weren’t able to get the details needed to form an adequate identification.”
“We tried one more time with some new training, but also new technology,” Sheriff Simmons added. “…That print put us at this individual right here.”
Photos courtesy Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Girls Tennis Beats Washington 7-0
March 14, 2025
Girls Tate Aggie tennis beat Washington 7-0 Thursday. Up next, the Aggies will face Gulf Breeze on Friday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
