News

Former Norris chief indicted on forgery, perjury charges

by G. Chambers Williams III


SAMUEL OGBURN
The former Norris police chief, Samuel Ogburn, has been indicted on charges of forgery and perjury in connection with forms he filed with the state in May on firearms re-certification training by members of the Norris Police Department.

The incident led to his being suspended as chief in August, and to his resignation in September.

In a news release, 7th District Attorney Gen. Dave Clark said the Anderson County Grand Jury last week returned the “indictments charging Ogburn with one count of forgery and one count of aggravated perjury.”

The TBI also issued a news release about Ogburn’s indictment and arrest, saying:

“An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the indictment of a former police chief on forgery and perjury charges.

“In September 2019, at the request of 7th District Attorney General Dave Clark, TBI special agents began investigating allegations against Samuel Ogburn. The investigation revealed that in May of 2019, while serving as chief of the Norris Police Department, Ogburn created and falsified a firearms training document and submitted it to the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Commission. [Ogburn] resigned his position after the allegations surfaced.”

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City of Norris to seek grant for sewer upgrades

by G. Chambers Williams III

Norris will apply for a state Community Development Block Grant seeking up to $630,000 for improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment system, the City Council voted Monday night.

If the city gets the full $630,000, it would have to contribute a local match of $167,468, which together with the grant would give Norris nearly $800,000 to spend on the improvements.

Because of the required local contribution, the grant could cause the city to have to increase water and sewer rates at some point, but probably not right away, council members were told. The city already has raised water rates about 25 percent this year, as of Jan. 1.

The city applied for a similar grant last year, but did not get it.

And even if a grant is approved this year, it probably would be for a lesser amount than requested, City Manager Scott Hackler said.

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