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.
Flag Football: Tate Defeats Northview (With Gallery)
March 14, 2025
In girls flag football action on this week, the Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs 19-6 at Tate’s Carl Madison Field.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Up next after spring break, Tate will travel to Escambia on March 24, and Northview will be at Pensacola High on March 25.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Hosts District Special Olympics (With Photo Gallery)
March 13, 2025
The 17th annual Escambia County Special Olympics Spring Games were held at Tate High School with 34 schools participating.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The day kicked off with the Special Olympics Torch Relay around Carl Madison Field in Pete Gindl Stadium. Tate senior Macy Jensen’s heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem set the tone for the events.
Over 650 Tate High students volunteered as “buddies”, paired with 460 student athletes.
For a photo gallery, click here.
New Aldi Store, A Converted Winn Dixie, Opens On Nine Mile Road (With Gallery)
March 13, 2025
A soft opening was held Wednesday for Escambia County’s new Aldi on Nine Mile Road, a converted Winn Dixie store that was purchased by the Germany-based grocery chain.
Excited customers were lined up waiting for the doors to open to be among the first to see the new store, which features hundreds of the company’s own brands and fresh items.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Heather Moore, vice president of Aldi’s Loxley Division, gave NorthEsambia.com a personal tour Wednesday morning, stopping along the way to explain the concept and culture of Aldi.
Why Aldi?
“So, I think what we say a lot of times is the price brings them in the door, and the quality brings them back,” Moore said. “So, the first thing that customers are going to notice we’ve never been in Aldi is how inexpensive the products are. So, we are going to save them a ton of money on the stuff they buy every day. Whether it’s fresh produce or fresh meat. We get that stuff in every day.”
She said all of the products will meet or beat the national brand, backed by a double quality guarantee. About 90% of the products are private-label, Aldi exclusive brands with about one-in-three products are award winning.
Don’t Forget A Quarter. And A Bag.
Then there’s the quarter thing.
Shoppers must insert a quarter, much like a rental, for a shopping cart. When the cart is returned, the quarter is returned, eliminating the need for employees to round up buggies in the parking lot.
During the grand opening, the store is providing quarters to those that need one. (And full disclosure — NorthEsambia.com couldn’t find a quarter in our vehicle on Wednesday, and Aldi provided us with one. We left the quarter behind with a cart to pay it forward for the next shopper.)
“We have plenty of quarters for anybody who forgets their quarter or doesn’t know about it. So, everything we do here is to bring those prices down and to stretch your grocery dollars further,” Moore said. “It’s one of those things that we’ve done to just bring those costs down, so you can save a few dollars when you grocery shop.”
If you want to bag your purchses, you’ll need to bring your own reusable bagsor purchase one of Aldi’s. A large reusable shopping bag is under a buck.
Winn Dixie Stores Converting to Aldi
The new Nine Mile Aldi currently employees 15 people, four of which were employees at the former Winn Dixie.
“It’s neat to see them come back into their new home and be really excited. We’ve had a lot of customers that remember them, and that means a lot too,” she said.
The new Aldi only uses about 20,000 square feet of the former Nine Mile Road Winn Dixie, leaving empty and available real estate next door. There are rumors about what may be locating there, but Moore said nothing is final.
Aldi operates two other stores in Escambia County — on Mobile Highway and Blue Angel Parkway, plus a location in Pace. The Aldi conversion process has just started at a former Winn Dixie in Milton. No other Winn Dixie stores have been identified for conversion as of now in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
Grand Opening Celebration
The new Nine 312 East Nine Mile Road Aldi will hold an official grand opening at 9 a.m. Thursday.
The first 100 customers Thursday will receive a gift bag filled with a sampling of Aldi exclusive products and a gift card. Shoppers can also register through the weekend for a $500 gift card.
The store will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
And Is This Aldi’s Best Tasting Product?
Moore has one absolute favorite Aldi product that she says in the best tasting in the store.
“That’s the Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad. It’s so good, you can just eat the whole tub. I love it.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured below: Louis Figueroa, store manager; Heather Moore, vice president of Aldi’s Loxley Division; and Lachelle McKinley, district manager check out fresh fruit at the new Aldi on Nine Mile Road on Wednesday, March 12. Also pictured: A soft opening for the store was held Wednesday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
$3.6 Million Interstate Circle Bridge Replacement Over Eight Mile Creek Continues
March 13, 2025
FDOT is replacing the Interstate Circle bridge over Eight Mile Creek in Escambia County. The $3.6 million project is aimed at increasing safety and improving traffic flow.
The existing bridge was built in 1970 and considered functionally obsolete. The new bridge is under construction and will accommodate two 10-foot travel lanes (one in each direction), flanked by 8-foot shoulders with traffic railing that meets current standards.
FDOT is reminding drives that Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge during construction. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
Project completion is currently estimated for mid-2025, according to FDOT.
Pictured: Interstate Circle bridge over Eight Mile Creek is seen in the foreground, next to I-10. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Saturday District One Food Distribution Postponed Due To Weather
March 13, 2025
A District One Food Distribution that was scheduled for Saturday at Jubilee Church has been postponed due to the threat of severe weather.
For the safety of our community members, volunteers, and all those involved, our team has made the difficult decision to delay the event. We always prioritize the well-being of those we serve and want to ensure a safe and successful distribution for everyone. Jennifer Harrisson in Rep. Michelle Salzman’s office said.
A new date for the District One Food Distribution will be announced soon, and we will announce it here on NorthEscambia.com.
File photo.