Cantonment Man Arrested on Multiple Drug and Firearm Charges After Search Warrant
April 9, 2025
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies executed a search warrant at a home on Kathleen Avenue recently, leading to the arrest of a Cantonment man on drug and firearm charges.
Joseph Ryan Koone was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The search warrant was part of an ongoing narcotics investigation, according to the ECSO.
An arrest report states a search of the property revealed a quantity of drugs and firearms, including:
- 359.5 grams of marijuana
- $5,940 in United States Currency
- Multiple firearms, including shotguns and a 9mm handgun, along with ammunition
- THC vape pens and cartridges, THC hash oil, and various drug paraphernalia.
Koone reportedly told deputies that he lives at the residence, sharing it with his girlfriend and her son, and contributes to the household expenses. He claimed to work at a mobile phone repair shop and sell sneakers.
He admitted to possessing and selling THC cartridges, and knowledge of the firearms found in the house, according to his arrest report. Koone also told deputies that he found the marijuana.
According to the ECSO, Koone is a four-time convicted felon.
Koone was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $32,500 bond.
Tate Girls Tennis Beats Pace 6-1
April 9, 2025
The Tate Aggies girls tennis team earned a 6-1 senior night win over Pace on Tuesday. Next up, the Aggies will be at Choctaw on Wednesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Softball Beats Gulf Breeze, Baseball Slips To TRM
April 9, 2025
SOFTBALL
Northview 7, Gulf Breeze 4
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat the Gulf Breeze Dolphins 7-4 in Gulf Breeze Tuesday night.
Jamison Gilman pitched six and one-third innings for the Chiefs, surrendering eight hits and four runs in six and one-third innings while walking four and striking out three. Mikayla McAnally faced five batters in relief over two-thirds of an inning, allowing two hits while striking out two and walking one.
Bailey Burkette led NHS with three RBIs as she went 1-2. Mikayla McAnally, Daviona Randolph, and Avery Stuckey recorded two hits each for the Chiefs.
Northview will continue a three game road series Thursday at West Florida.
BASEBALL
T.R. Miller 3, Northview 2
The T.R. Miller Tigers slipped past the Northview Chiefs on Tuesday night in Brewton.
Jackson Bridges was on the mound for five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while walking two and striking out seven. Braynt Mason pitched a one-hit inning with no runs, strikeouts or walks.
Jase Portwood led Northview with two RBIs as he went 1-3. Cole Davis, Dane King, Jase Portwood, and Grayden Sheffield each had one hit for the Chief.
Up next, Northview will host Baker in a district game Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Mack’s Homer Leads Wahoos To Win And Record-Tying Season Start
April 9, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Mack had a couple of hard-hit outs in his first two games to start this season. Fate changed his way Tuesday.
Mack blasted a two-run homer—part of a three-hit, three-RBI night—then got a birds-eye view behind the plate of reliever Josh Ekness’ clutch relief as the Blue Wahoos held on for a 5-4 victory against the Montgomery Biscuits, going 4-0 to start 2025 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The game began a six-game series between the teams. The win enabled the Blue Wahoos to tie their best start in franchise history, matching the 2021 team, which was their first season as a Miami Marlins affiliate. They can set a record Wednesday in the second game of the series.
On the first “Doggone Tuesday,” where fans could bring their beloved dogs and tickets were all one price with a meal included, Mack provided another look at why he’s viewed as a rising talent. His two-run homer in the third inning gave the Blue Wahoos a lead they kept.
In addition to his homer, Mack doubled home another run, singled, scored two runs, and threw out a runner trying to steal. He also helped Ekness dial up brilliance as the Blue Wahoos’ closer.
The Biscuits cut a 5-1 deficit to a one-run game in the eighth inning. Blue Wahoos reliever Orlando Ortiz-Mayr struggled with location, yielding three hits and two walks after retiring the first batter.
Ekness entered with two on and one out. He struck out the first batter he faced, then got a deep flyout to end the inning. In the ninth, he struck out the side to end the game and record his first save.
This game also featured a memorable moment for Cody Morissette. A former multi-sport athlete and talented hockey player, Morissette scored three beers with one home run shot.
His line-drive rocket in the fourth inning sailed beyond the right field wall. The ball landed at a table of fans, part of a group outing A
The people were fine. The drinks were replaced. And Morissette had his first homer of the season to give the Blue Wahoos a 3-1 lead.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios worked four innings, giving up a run on four hits with three strikeouts.
In the third inning, Jared Serna led off and reached on a throwing error. Mack then blasted a fastball out of the ballpark. He came into the game with one hit in his first seven at-bats. Mack followed with a double that scored Serna in the seventh. Nathan Martorella then singled home Mack.
Shane Sasaki was robbed of a potential home run in the fourth inning when Biscuits centerfielder Colton Ledbetter leaped above the wall to snare the ball with his glove.
Jacob Miller will be the Blue Wahoos’ starter on Wednesday in the second game of the series.
GAME NOTABLES
- Blue Wahoos corporate sales executive Andie Masten and group sales executive Jessica Voigt together performed the National Anthem.
- Rachel Balkovec, the Marlins director of player development, watched Tuesday’s game from the Blue Wahoos dugout.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Wednesday thru Sunday
River Annex Road In Cantonment Closed Due To Perdido River Floodwaters
April 8, 2025
River Annex Road off Muscogee Road in Cantonment has been closed by rising water from the nearby Perdido River. According to the National Weather Service, the Perdido River is near crest and is expected to begin slowly falling by tonight. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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.
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.
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.