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.
Walking Path, Parking Expanded At Cantonment’s Recently Opened Paper Park
April 7, 2025
Less than three months after it opened, the parking area and walking path at the new Paper Park in Cantonment have been expanded.
The official ribbon cutting was held January 30 for Escambia County’s new Paper Park on the 68-acre former International Paper golf course in Cantonment.
When the park was opened, the walking path was 0.81 miles. Now, work has been completed an addition to extend the walking path to 1.25 miles, according to Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes.
“We also freed up some additional parking space there because we expect the volume of crowds to be high this summer,” he added.
The park is a cooperative effort of Escambia County and International Paper, with the county leasing the property from IP and years of planning.
The park also includes playgrounds, a complete 18-hole “Timber Toss Disc Golf” course, and a 704 square feet covered pavilion with picnic tables. The park at the corner of Highway 29 and Muscogee Road is open to the public free of charge from sunrise to sunset. The parking area is off Mintz Lane at the southwest corner of the property.
For a photo gallery from the January grand opening of Paper Park, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Pilot Program Seeks To Put Trade Certified Century Prison Releasees To Work
April 7, 2025
A pilot program at the Century Correctional Institution is aiming to get inmates into jobs when they get out of prison.
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) hosted an employment partner showcase last week at CCI to introduce prospective employers to the program.
About a year ago, a facility was established inside the prison to construct tiny homes which are later sold.
Inmates receive certifications in HVAC, plumbing, carpentry and more, according to FDC Region 1 Community Transition Coordinator Alicia “Lee” Warren.
“When the inmates are released, they have their certifications, and employers need employees that have their certifications,” Warren said. “We work to match with employers.”
“We can match employers with inmates, so that when they are released, they can get to work,” she added. “The employers are very interested because they can put the qualified releasees into entry level positions and teach them.”
Employers can specify criteria for which type inmates will be acceptable, and even arrange a virtual, phone or in-person interview with inmates before their release.
The program is also available to employers outside the construction trades.
For more information, employers can email Warren at alicia.warren@FDC.myflorida.com.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Corrections Officer Trainee Charged With Smuggling Contraband Into Fountain Prison
April 7, 2025
A former Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) trainee was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle contraband into Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore.
ADC said Tommy Middleton was found in possession of approximately 212 grams of marijuana and two cell phones during a search conducted by ADOC K-9 officers. The discovery was made as part of a joint investigation involving the ADOC’s K-9, Narcotics, and Law Enforcement Services Divisions.
Middleton was taken into custody and transported to the Escambia County Jail. He faces multiple charges, including possession of marijuana 1st, promoting prison contraband 2nd, attempting to commit a controlled substance crime, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental operations.
Crude Oil Prices Fall To 4-Year Lows
April 7, 2025
Florida gas prices shot up early last week, but were back on the downward trend through the weekend.
The state average rose 15 cents per gallon last week, reaching $3.22 per gallon, before drifting lower again. Sunday’s state average was $3.19 per gallon. That’s 8 cents more than a week ago, 6 cents more than last month, and 29 cents less than a year ago.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was a quarter below the state average s $2.94. A low price of $2.73 was available Sunday night at a station on East Nine Mile Road. In North Escambia, the lowest available price was $2.79 at a station of South Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Oil prices plummeted last week, which should contribute to lower prices at the gas pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The oil price plunge is reportedly attributed to concerns that tariffs could cause a global economic slowdown, potentially resulting in a reduction in fuel demand. The market is also now worried about an over abundance of global oil supplies. This comes after OPEC+ announced plans to raise oil production in May by about three times more than previously planned.”
The U.S. price for crude oil settled at $61.99 per barrel on Friday. That’s the lowest daily closing price since April 2021.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
April 7, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- State Road (S.R.) 196 (Bayfront Parkway) Navy Federal Credit Union 5K Race – Motorists will encounter a road closure of S.R. 196 from East Chase Street to South Palafox Street on Saturday, April 5 from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the Navy Federal Credit Union 5K Race.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from South of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, April 6 through Thursday, April 10, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 Ramp – Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction), as crews perform construction activities on the south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026. A detour route has been established using Pace Boulevard, Cervantes Street and A Street. Directional signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 14th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, April 6 through Thursday, April 10, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – The week of Sunday, April 6, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., as crews place thermoplastic striping and perform traffic signalization work.
- Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Resurfacing, from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – The week of Sunday, April 6, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, April 6 through Thursday, April 10, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, April 6 through Friday, April 11, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – The week of Sunday, April 6, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – The week of Sunday, April 6, drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations and construction activities. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Routine Maintenance North of East Olive Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, April 8 and Wednesday, April 9 form 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from West of Avalon Boulevard to East of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, April 6 through Thursday, April 10 from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for shoulder work and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, April 6 through Thursday, April 10, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform bridge construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, April 6, through Friday, April 11, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Coring Operations on White River Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures east of the county line Monday, April 7 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for coring operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.