News Archive

According to an incident report released by the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office, Dixie County High School senior, Rodney Scott, Jr., 19 and his father, Rodney Scott, Sr., 50, were named as suspects in an aggravated battery that was reported early Saturday morning.

Witnesses at the scene reported that Rodney Scott and his father showed up univinted to a party being held at the home of Miriah Riels.  The two were asked to leave but then “started cussing and hollering at her (Miriah) and everyone else at her home, then left.” The two then left, but returned half an hour later with more people who were not identified and were asked to leave again.  Miss Riels stated that the father “started cussing at her,” at which point party guest Chase Barber requested that he not speak to the young lady that way, and then was hit in the head with a “pipe with a ratchet stuck in the end of it.”  Barber was reportedly knocked to the ground, and then he was kicked in the face.

Barber stated at the time of the incident that it was Rodney Scott, Jr. who had hit him with the pipe, but later said that he could “not put a positive ID” on the attacker, and some witnesses stated that it had been the elder Scott who had dealt the blow. The report states that since most of the witnesses had been drinking,  and many refused to give written statements, that the case was closed and no charges filed “due to the fact that no one can place a positive ID on the aggressor at this time.”

The report stated that Rodney Scott, Jr. and Sr. “could not be reached for interview.” Rodney Scott has a football scholarship from Old Miss University and will be attending next fall

Old Town, Florida- The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Jerry P. Holland, 49 of Old Town and Donald K. Holland, 48 of Old Town on the charge of Aggravated Abuse/Neglect of the Elderly.  The elderly person was the mother of the Holland brothers.

On Saturday, May 16, 2009, Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to 737 NE 644 Street in Old Town in reference to EMS personnel needing assistance.  When the deputies arrived, they observed both Holland brothers sitting on the front porch of the residence.

Once inside, the deputies made contact with EMS personnel, who told the investigating deputy that it appeared the victim had been on the floor for several days.  The victim was partially dressed and the home had a strong odor of human feces and urine.  The victim had numerous sores and was covered with bruises.

The home was in deplorable condition, with maggots, beer cans and trash throughout the home.

According to Jerry Holland, his mother had been on the floor for five days.  The victim was transported to North Florida Regional Hospital in Gainesville by Dixie County Emergency Services, Division of Emergency Medical Services.

Help was summoned for the victim after a neighbor stopped by the residence and called 911.