The new fax number is 352-507-4585. The voice number is still 352-498-3312.

Thanks!

FDLE Special Agent Mike Kennedy appeared with Dixie County Sheriff Dewey Hatcher, and FDLE Special Agent in Charge Don Ladner to announce that the remains of a man found near the Dixie/Taylor County line on Foley Timber property back in 1974 have been identified as 24 year old James Norris. The investigation appears to be centering around certain marijuana dealers and importers, "who may or may not be from Dixie County, but who may still have ties to the area," that were prevalent in Dixie County during that time period.

Norris was a San Francisco resident who travelled to Dixie County from San Francisco after flying into the Miami airport on a red-eye flight in order to purchase marijuana, apparently with the intent of taking it back to California for resale.  He left his dog with his mother and was never seen again. Norris' last contact with his family was via postcard, which was postmarked from Inglis on October 4. His remains were found on April 16, in 1976 by a heavy equipment operator who was working in north Dixie County near US 19.

The body was sent for an autopsy at that time and an anthropological examination in Tallahassee. It was determined that he had been dead approximately 2 years. In 2009, FDLE's cold case team reopened the case and sent a DNA sample to the University of North Texas. In the meantime, desperate family members, including Norris' mother, had submitted DNA material to the NAMUS (National Missing and Unidentified Person System) database, and a match was made.

Special Agent Kennedy, husband to Dixie County native Lauren (Jo Lynn) Downing,  said that "The family is what solved this case," with their determination not to give up and the DNA evidence that allowed Norris to be identified. Norris' sister Rosemary Norris Southward said, "You can get answers," even on cold cases, and that she was very impressed with the dedication of FDLE and the DCSO in solving the identity of her brother's remains.

Agent Ladner made it clear that FDLE isn't interested in chasing old drug runners. "The statute of limitations is up on selling marijuana, and somebody knows or saw something," and "The question now is why this happened and who did it," and asked that anyone with information on the case, or Norris' activities while he was in Dixie County should call the Sheriff's office or Special Agent Mike Kennedy at 850-410-7450. The photo in the left upper corner of the poster was the last photo of Norris taken. When he came through Dixie County he would have had short hair and a mustache.

The Norris family is planning a funeral to take place back in California. His two sisters, Rosemary and Kathie, plan to fly home with his body Thursday. His sister Rosemary said, "My brother was a teacher, he taught English as a second language, a dreamer, an artist, and loved to wrench on VW bugs. He was a very loved, a beloved person."

On April 5^th, Sheriff’s investigators arrested the three adults involved in the incident occurring on March 28. Arrested were: Adrian R. Miller 32 years of age, William R. Miller III 31 years of age and Gary L. Rosson 28 years of age all of whom are Cross City residents. All three defendants were each charged with one count of Lewd Battery on a Child Under 16 years of age and one count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. The Millers who are husband and wife along with Rosson received their first appearance hearing this morning and were each ordered held under a $300,000.00 bond.

WILTON DAVID “KORDE” OSTEEN of Old Town passed away Friday, March 25, 2011 as a result of a traffic accident. He was 21.

Korde was a lifetime resident of Dixie County graduating from Dixie County High School in 2008. He worked for Suwannee American Cement in Branford as a maintenance mechanic. As a member of the Shired Island hunting club, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding in the woods. He adored playing with his niece McKayla. Korde attended New Prospect Baptist Church.

He is survived by his parents, Chris and Amy Osteen of Old Town and Cheryl Howell of Trenton, FL; paternal grandmother, Deloras Osteen of Cross City and maternal grandparents, Cecile and Ed Stemple of Cross City; brothers, Kyle Lamb of Old Town; sisters, Kristen (Clint) Hope Jackson of Cross City, Bailee Osteen of Old Town; and niece, McKayla Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Buddy Howell and David Osteen.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Rick Gooding Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ed Ivey and Rev. Doug Cobb officiating. Interment will follow at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the funeral home Monday evening, March 28, between the hours of 6 and 8 PM.

Arrangements have been placed under the direction of the Rick Gooding Funeral Home, Cross City, Florida, 352-498-5400.

WILTON DAVID “KORDE” OSTEEN of Old Town passed away Friday, March 25, 2011 as a result of a traffic accident. He was 21.

Korde was a lifetime resident of Dixie County graduating from Dixie County High School in 2008. He worked for Suwannee American Cement in Branford as a maintenance mechanic. As a member of the Shired Island hunting club, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding in the woods. He adored playing with his niece McKayla. Korde attended New Prospect Baptist Church.

He is survived by his parents, Chris and Amy Osteen of Old Town and Cheryl Howell of Trenton, FL; paternal grandmother, Deloras Osteen of Cross City and maternal grandparents, Cecile and Ed Stemple of Cross City; brothers, Kyle Lamb of Old Town; sisters, Kristen (Clint) Hope Jackson of Cross City, Bailee Osteen of Old Town; and niece, McKayla Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Buddy Howell and David Osteen.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Rick Gooding Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ed Ivey and Rev. Doug Cobb officiating. Interment will follow at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the funeral home Monday evening, March 28, between the hours of 6 and 8 PM.

Arrangements have been placed under the direction of the Rick Gooding Funeral Home, Cross City, Florida, 352-498-5400.

The suspect is a married man from Newberry, but whose family lives in Dixie County. He is being held in the Taylor County jail. Updates will be posted as they are made available by law enforcement in Dixie and Taylor Counties.