Adult-oriented businesses seeking to operate in Norris will now come under strict new regulations, thanks to a new city ordinance passed on second and final reading Dec. 8 by the City Council.
In a separate action, the council approved a measure seeking bids for replacement of the roof of the Norris Community Building, and set a Jan. 7 date for opening the bids. The money to pay for the work is already in the city budget for the current fiscal year.
As for the adult-oriented businesses, the council passed unanimously (5-0) during the Dec. 8 meeting Ordinance 714-2025, which allows the city to license and regulate such establishments, as they are now clearly defined in the ordinance.
While the city has no officially established adult-oriented businesses, there have been reports of “male strippers” performing at certain times in a bar within the city limits along Andersonville Highway (State Highway 61), city officials said.
This led the city to revisit its regulations – or lack thereof – involving adult-oriented businesses.
Cpl. Adam Warren worked with Axel at the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and now rents him from the county in his retirement.
Axel the dog has retiring from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office at age 7, but will still live with his handler, Cpl. Adam Warren.
Warren is technically renting the former K-9 unit dog from the county for $1 per year and paying his food and medical expenses.
Axel retired on Nov. 17. He had worked with the department since April 2018, after graduating from training that year.
“It’s a lot different going to work and not having a dog in the car with you, but he’s always excited when I get home,” Warren said. “He really liked to work.”
He said Axel gets upset “when the car leaves with me.”
Warren looks back fondly on their years of work together.
“I always say he’s the best backup you could ever ask for,” Warren said. “He’s right there and he’s man’s best friend.”
He described himself and Axel as both “blank slates” when they were first training, as Axel hadn’t worked with police and Warren hadn’t worked with dogs.
“Handling a dog was one of the most-frustrating and most-rewarding things in my career,” Warren said.
The frustration came from the difficulty of communication.
“You’re trying to teach an animal that can’t talk back to you how to do something,” he said.
The reward, however, came when that training succeeded and they could apply it in the field.
“It’s one of the greatest feelings in the world,” said Warren.
Axel had 644 deployments, assisted with 320 arrests, and made 266 drug finds during his tenure with the Sheriff’s Office. He also helped find missing people.
“I hope he’s able to just ease into retirement and enjoy a long relaxing life,” Warren said.
This 1995 Ferrara pumper, the backup fire truck for the city of Norris, has been pressed into full-time duty since the loss of the city’s newer truck in an accident on Nov. 12. City officials say this will be the solution until a new fire truck can be purchased, but that the city remains protected. - G. Chambers Williams III
Despite the loss of its main fire truck in an accident Nov. 12, Norris still has fire protection, Mayor Chris Mitchell says.
Officials said last week that the City Council will be tapped for money to help pay to replace the truck, which was destroyed in a rollover accident just two blocks from the fire station.
Replacing the truck could cost from $400,000-$550,000, City Manager Bailey Whited told the council during its Dec. 8 meeting.
Whited said the city is still dealing with its insurer to find out how much Norris will receive in the insurance payout, but he said, “We have been told it’s a complete loss.”
During the meeting, Mitchell assured the council and city residents that Norris is still able to answer fire calls with its backup pumper truck and assistance from the nearby Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department.
“It is a serious impact to the city,” Mitchell said. “But I want the public to know we have fire protection.”
