Cantonment Man Charged With Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon
April 8, 2025
A Cantonment was arrested recently after a report of an alleged shots fired incident.
Matthew Kyle Williams, 38, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently being held without bond at the Escambia County Jail.
About 11:30 p.m. on April 2, Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call at the intersection of East Kingsfield Road and Tate Road in Cantonment, where they found a female lying down sobbing and very distraught in the middle of the intersection.
The woman reported being assaulted at a residence on Tate Road. The report alleges that Williams struck her on the head with the butt of a “semi-automatic assault rifle” and later discharged the firearm multiple times in her direction. The woman told deputies that she believed other people had been shot inside the residence.
Upon arriving at home, deputies discovered a shattered exterior glass door. Deputies entered the residence and located Williams, along with two other individuals that were unharmed. During a search of the residence, deputies found an AR-15 rifle in a locked bedroom, according to an arrest report. The AR-15 was found in the “fire” position, with a round in the chamber and a loaded magazine. Deputies also reported locating five spent casings inside the residence — one under a couch, one on the couch and three in a trash can.
Williams also denied hitting the individual with the rifle and denied firing shots.
Other witnesses at the scene gave statements indicating that Williams had fired the weapon, the report states.
According to the ECSO, Williams does not have any previous felony convictions.
Deputies said the victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Free Mississippi State, Florida, LSU Women’s Soccer Games Saturday At Ashton Brosnaham
April 8, 2025
This Saturday, women’s teams from three top-ranked Southeastern Conference schools will compete in the Western Gate Soccer Showdown at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park. The event was first held at the Escambia County park last year.
The showdown will feature 45-minute matchups between the Florida Gators, Mississippi State Bulldogs, and LSU Tigers, and autograph sessions will be held throughout the day with all of the teams. Admission is free.
The schedule is as follows:
1 p.m. — LSU vs. MSU
2:30 p.m. — UF vs MSU
4 p.m. — LSU vs. UF
For more photos from last year, including the Mississippi State vs. LSU game, click here.
Ashton Brosnaham Park is located at 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Drive, just north of 10 Mile Road.
The 2025 SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament will return to Escambia County November 2-9. The top 12 SEC women’s soccer teams will compete for the SE Cchampionship at the Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park.
Pictured: The 2024 Western Gate Soccer Showdown. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flood Warnings Extended For Escambia And Perdido Rivers
April 8, 2025
Flood warnings have been extended for both the Escambia and Perdido rivers.
Here are details on both warnings:
ESCAMBIA RIVER
For the Escambia River near Century, minor flooding is forecast from Monday evening to Friday afternoon.
At 12 a.m. Tuesday, the river was at 16.68 feet and rising. The river is expected to rise above flood stage this evening to a crest of 19.3 feet early Wednesday morning. It will then fall below flood stage late Friday morning. Flood stage is 17.0 feet.
At 19.0 feet, low lying pastures will flood. Cattle should be moved to higher ground.
PERDIDO RIVER
For the Perdido River near Barrineau Park, minor flooding is forecast from Monday afternoon to Friday morning
At 12 a.m. Tuesday, the river was at 18.18 feet and rising. The river is expected to rise above flood stage Tuesday to a crest of 19.7 feet. It will then fall below flood stage Thursday morning. Flood stage is 13.0 feet.
At 17.6 feet, water reaches the first floor of Adventures Perdido River office building.
Pictured: The Barrineau Park bridge over the Perdido River between Florida and Alabama closed Monday due to flooding.
Beulah Middle School Media Specialist Gardner Honored With Association Award
April 8, 2025
Inette Gardner, media specialist at Beulah Middle School, is the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Paula Gleason Award.
Each year, the Escambia County School Library Association presents the award to one school media specialist for their commitment to excellence in their library program.
Nominees were asked to complete an application to describe leadership roles within our district and state-wide professional communities; how they support digital citizenship within their school; and contributions to support information literacy for students and staff. Those applications are reviewed anonymously by a committee of past award recipients.
Gardner has been a media specialist at Beulah Middle School since 2023. Students, staff, and administrators have expressed their appreciation for the many roles she fills and her commitment to creating a welcoming school library.
One of her nominators states, she is “a true champion of education, and her dedication and impact on her students’ growth and love for reading make her a truly deserving nominee for this prestigious award.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flooded Bridges Remain Closed Until Inspections
April 8, 2025
Several North Escambia roads and bridges remained closed Tuesday morning following flooding caused by over a foot of rain Sunday night and Monday. The water has receded and some of the bridges, but they won’t reopen until they are inspected for any damage or dangers.
(The list below and our social media posts will be updated as we receive word that bridges have reopened.)
- CLOSURES
- Nokomis Road between Albritton & Tullis — being detoured
- Pine Forest Road (Walnut Hill) — North of Arthur Brown
- Arthur Brown @ Brushy Creek — REOPENED
- O.C. Phillips Road @ Brushy Creek
- Pineville @ Brushy Creek
- Barrineau Park Road bridge over Perdido River into Alabama
Brushy Creek overflowed and closed the bridges on Arthur Brown Road, Occie Phillips Road, and Pineville Road, all west and southwest of Walnut Hill.
A portion of Pine Forest Road just north of Arthur Brown Road completely collapsed at a drainage culvert due to rushing water. Sometime before daybreak, the driver of Chevrolet pickup truck hit the sinkhole in the dark, heavily damaging the truck. The driver was not injured.
Brushy Creek has overflowed the bridges on Arthur Brown Road, Occie Phillips Road and Pineville Road.
All of the bridges must be inspected by Escambia County Engineering staff to ensure the structures are safe before they are reopened. They will be inspected after the water recedes enough to allow staff to access underneath.
The Barrineau Park Road bridge over the Perdido River at the Florida/Alabama state line was overtopped by the river, which is continuing to rise.
The flooding also caused Pine Forest Road north of Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill to collapse over culvert, closing the road.
Floodwaters also caused a major washout on the shoulders of Greenland Road at Pine Barren Creek, but the roadway remained open. The 32-foot steel and concrete culvert, constructed in 1955, is about one-third of a mile east of Highway 97 in Davisville. It was partially repaired Monday.
Radar estimates indicate over a foot a rain fell Sunday night into early Monday morning in the impacted areas.. The weather station at the Walnut Hill Fire Station recorded 8.15 inches of rain.
Pictured top: Arthur Brown Road at Brushy Creek west of Walnut Hill. Other photo locations are noted under each picture below. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Above: Road collapse caused by flooding on Pine Forest Road in Walnut Hill.
Above: O.C. Phillips Road at Brushy Creek.
Above: Pineville Rod at Brushy Creek.
Above: Barrineau Park Road at the Perdido River.
Greenland Road washout in Davisville.
Nine Local Students Named Florida FFA 2025 State Degree Candidates
April 8, 2025
Florida FFA on Monday announced the named of nine local students who applied and have been selected as a candidate to receive the coveted State FFA.
The State FFA Degree is the highest honor bestowed upon any regular member of the Florida FFA Association. Each candidate will be recognized and will receive their degree on the main stage during the 5th General Session of the 97th Florida FFA Convention and Expo at the Caribe Royale in Orlando this June.
The 2025 State Degree candidates from North Escambia are:
Tate High School
- Kaydon Biggs
- Blakely Campbell
- Christian Hollingsworth
- Brooke Hoomes
- Phoenix Myrick
- Ellen Rigby
Northview High School
- Jackson Bridges
- Tyler Gilmore
- Andrew Manning
Driver’s License, Tag, Tax Collector Services Available Next Week In Century
April 8, 2025
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in Century on April 17
The Escambia County Tax Collector will be at the:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on Thursday, April 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
The Billy G. Courthouse is at 7500 North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: The Escambia Tax Collector’s MILO.. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Cooler For The Next Week
April 8, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 70. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 47. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 77. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 46. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 70.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 44.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 52.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Flood Warnings: Escambia And Perdido Rivers
April 7, 2025
Flood warnings are in effect for both the Escambia and Perdido rivers.
Here are details on both warnings:
ESCAMBIA RIVER
For the Escambia River near Century, minor flooding is forecast from Monday evening to Friday afternoon.
At 1 p.m. Monday, the river was at 15.25 feet and rising. The river is expected to rise above flood stage this evening to a crest of 19.6 feet early Wednesday morning. It will then fall below flood stage late Friday morning. Flood stage is 17.0 feet.
At 19.0 feet, low lying pastures will flood. Cattle should be moved to higher ground.
PERDIDO RIVER
For the Perdido River near Barrineau Park, minor flooding is forecast from Monday afternoon to Friday morning
At 1 p.m. Monday, the river was at 13.89 feet and rising. The river is expected to rise above flood stage Monday afternoon to a crest of 18.0 feet early Tuesday afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage early Friday morning. Flood stage is 13.0 feet.
At 17.6 feet, water reaches the first floor of Adventures Perdido River office building.
The Barrineau Park bridge over the Perdido River between Florida and Alabama closed Monday due to flooding (pictured).
Flooding Collapses Road, Closes Bridges, Causes Wreck
April 7, 2025
Flooding has closed several roadways and caused at least one wreck early Monday morning in North Escambia.
A portion of Pine Forest Road just north of Arthur Brown Road completely collapsed at a drainage culvert due to rushing water. Sometime before daybreak, the driver of Chevrolet pickup truck hit the sinkhole in the dark, heavily damaging the truck. The driver was not injured.
Brushy Creek has overflowed the bridges on Arthur Brown Road, Occie Phillips Road and Pineville Road. All the roadways are closed at the creek. Readers tell us that portions of dirt Pineville Road were washed out.
All of the bridges must be inspected by Escambia County Engineering staff to ensure the structures are safe before they are reopened. They will be inspected after the water recedes enough to allow staff to access underneath.
- CLOSED:
- Pine Forest Road (Walnut Hill) — North of Arthur Brown
- Arthur Brown @ Brushy Creek
- O.C. Phillips Road @ Brushy Creek
- Pineville @ Brushy Creek
- Barrineau Park Road bridge over Perdido River into Alabama
- Portions of dirt Pineville Road may be impassable
All of the roads are west and southwest of Walnut Hill, where radar estimates indicate over a foot a rain fell Sunday night into early Monday morning. The weather station at the Walnut Hill Fire Station recorded 8.15 inches of rain. (The yellow and red areas on the radar image below show an estimated 12 inches of rain or more in the past 24 hours.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
