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Getting a bird’s-eye view

October 14, 2026 by Jake Nichols

This year, Alex Cain has begun a new role as mayor for the Town of Farragut.

But for the next few Friday nights, he will settle into the same spot he has occupied for four years in the back of the west end zone at Eddie Courtney Stadium.

Every home game, Cain operates the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone Farragut uses to film the action on the field.

Having bought his own personal drone in 2012, Cain enjoys the work and the view that comes with it.

“We used to film all our practice sessions with my own personal drone, and we noticed more teams started to use it during games to get different views,” Cain said on Friday, Sept. 25, during the Admirals’ win over Bearden. “So when Coach Eddie Courtney was still here, he called me one summer and said, ‘Hey, do you think you could do this?’ I said yeah, but the biggest issue is getting the proper equipment where you can film a whole quarter without having to swap batteries every 10 minutes.

Trapp retains hope and courage through grief, treatment

Cancer Awareness

October 14, 2026 by Rachel Totten, Contributor

While trying to navigate the many challenges of life during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, West Knoxville resident Catherine Trapp soon found herself in the midst of another unforeseen experience: grieving the loss of her husband.

“It was totally unexpected,” Trapp explained. “So, I focused on my mom and her care, my son, my home, my job and my health.”

That same year, a routine mammogram brought more unexpected news.

“They called it Stage 0 DCIS (or ductal carcinoma in situ),” said Trapp, noting that a lumpectomy was rescheduled several times over the course of the year due to COVID. “I finally had surgery on Dec. 28.”

After completing radiation treatments in April 2021, Trapp said a follow-up mammogram later revealed microscopic remnants of breast cancer but no evidence of a lump. In July 2024, however, she discovered a new lump during a routine self-examination.

“The next mammogram showed a suspicious tumor, and the biopsy showed Stage 3 cancer,” Trapp said. “Chemo started in August… I literally had 28 days to figure out all the ‘next steps’.”

‘A journey of the unexpected’

Throughout the treatment process, Trapp said there were, understandably, many times of uncertainty.

“Cancer is a journey of the unexpected… Each person is unique and we don’t always fit into the pegboard of standard care,” she said, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy. “And because it’s not easy to talk about, sometimes questions are missed, but the right medical personnel can listen and guide you and give you strength.”

FPS Fall Festival set for Oct. 24

October 14, 2026 by Tammy Cheek

Games, inflatables and performances and more again will take place at Farragut Primary School when it hosts its 25th annual FPS Fall Festival.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, on the grounds of FPS, 509 Campbell Station Road. While attendance is free, tickets to take part in festivities are $20 the day of the event, according to Amanda Reichwein, FPS Parent-Teacher Organization president.

While there, families can enjoy the favorite activities, such as inflatables, games, student performances, a bake sale, food trucks — The Blushing Lemon, Southern Yankee Pizza and Lillo & Bobo’s Ice Cream — buying spirit wear and silent auction.

This year, though, Reichwein said there also will be a dunk tank; Farragut High School Agriculture Program will bring animals; and 865 Rescue will be there with dogs available for adoption.

The festival is the PTO’s major fundraiser.