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.
Tate Aggies Beat The Escambia Gators 8-2 (With Photo Gallery)
March 13, 2025
The Tate Aggies came alive with a six-inning fifth inning as they defeated the Escambia Gators 8-2 Wednesday night in Cantonment.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Zane Warrington earned the win for Tate, surrendering six hits and two runs in six and two-third innings on mound for Tate, walking three and striking out seven. Keelan Beasley closed in relief for one-third of an inning, striking out one.
Taite Davis led the Aggies with three RBIs as he went 2-2 for the night. Nathan Ozuna and Kaleb Posta also had hits for the Aggies. The Aggies recording six stolen bases, with two of those coming from Cal Foxworth.
The Aggies will host Fort Walton Beach Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Gets 20 Years For Fatal 2023 DUI Crash On Davis Highway
March 13, 2025
A woman has been sentence to over 20 years in state prison for a December 2023 fatal DUI crash in Escambia County.
Jasmine Tashawri West was convicted of DUI manslaughter, two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury, one count of DUI with property damage, and one count of driving while license suspended. Under Florida’s DUI statutes, West must serve four years of the sentence day-for-day and she will have a lifetime driver’s license suspension.
On the afternoon of December 30, 2023, West was driving on North Davis Highway when she drove across two lanes into oncoming traffic before colliding head-on with an SUV that was occupied by a family of four.
Forensic analysis conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol found that West’s vehicle was traveling at more than 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit when the crash occurred.
The driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver’s wife, who was the front passenger, and their two juvenile daughters, both backseat, survived with significant injuries. An analysis of West’s blood showed her alcohol level to be almost twice the legal limit.
West’s license had previously been suspended, and she did not have a valid license at the time of the crash.
“West had no business driving that day. Her callous actions ended one life and forever harmed three others. A lengthy prison sentence is absolutely appropriate,” Christopher Patterson, prosecuting attorney, said.
Propane Tanker Truck Overturns Near Jay
March 12, 2025
A propane tanker truck overturned early Wednesday morning in Jay.
Country Mill Road was blocked at Neal Jones Road following the incident.
It appeared the vehicle left the roadway while making a turn and overturned into a ditch. No leak was reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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