News
December 23, 2025 by Tammy Cheek
Nineteen West Knox County youngsters, who are battling pediatric cancer, and their families were treated to a special holiday gift this year.
They celebrated the season with Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research and around 50 members of the community. Rally families and volunteers gathered for a holiday party at Westgate Church along North Campbell Station Road, Tuesday, Dec. 16.
One such child was 9-year-old Chance, a Farragut Intermediate School student, who was diagnosed five days before turning 5.
“He just finished at St. Jude’s Research Hospital in Memphis for medulloblastoma,” his mother, Trish Adams said. “It’s an aggressive brain cancer. He was referred there by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.”
The trial is in Phase 2, and “it’s really showing some promise,” Adams said. “We were really excited to be part of that and to celebrate Christmas again.
To have such a part, “it’s really exciting because any time we can be with other families who really get how special every holiday is for us — I mean, everybody loves Christmas, but when you’re unsure if you’re ever going to celebrate that again with your child — it’s really extra special. And, when you can be with other families that get it, it’s really, really nice,” Adams said.
“It’s nice to see them like normal kids, another parent said.
“Rally Tennessee is committed to creating moments of joy for families who are walking through the hardest experiences of their lives,” Rally Tennessee director Elaine Kay said. “These events give families a chance to breathe, connect and feel supported by their community.”
In addition to funding cutting edge childhood cancer research, Rally Tennessee provides families with meals in the hospital and hosts community events that offer encouragement and hope.
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December 23, 2025 by Tammy Cheek
A final plat for the Biddle Farms Townhomes received unanimous approval from the Farragut Municipal Planning Commission during its meeting Thursday, Dec. 18.
Town Community Development director Mark Shipley said the item had been postponed at the Nov. 20 meeting because of incomplete site-related issues that have since been addressed.
The development, located at 305 Hudson Bay Lane, includes 47 dwelling units and is zoned Planned Commercial Development and Floodplain District. The project was presented by Homestead Land Holdings LLC.
Shipley said the final plat layout is consistent with the site plan approved several months ago.
“Now, they’ve constructed most of the public improvements,” Shipley said. “There are 47 dwelling units and several small open space lots.”
Access to the townhomes will be from rear alleys, which Shipley said will improve curb appeal.
“The dwelling units will actually be accessed from the rear of the units through alleys, so it will give it a nice curb appeal for this particular development,” he said. “There is some sporadic open space throughout the development.”
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December 23, 2025 by Tammy Cheek
Owners of West End Center soon may be able to move forward with plans to add another building in the shopping center’s parking lot.
The Farragut Municipal Planning Commission voted Thursday, Dec. 18, to recommend the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen approve an amendment to the town’s zoning ordinance related to building façade requirements.
The proposed amendment still must be approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen before taking effect.
“We talked about it enough at the last meeting,” FMPC Chairman Ron Pinchok said.
“We did,” added Mayor Ron Williams, who also serves on the planning commission.
Under the current ordinance, new buildings in the Mixed Use Town Center District “adherence to the Town Center Design Requirement for each exterior wall of a new building to maintain 75 percent minimum coverage with face brick,” Community Development director Mark Shipley said.
West End Center is located within both the Mixed Use Town Center District and the General Commercial (C-1) zoning district, he added.
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December 23, 2025 by Staff Reports
Farragut Museum’s temporary sports exhibit closes at the end of the year.
The exhibit highlights sports accomplishments and sports legends in Farragut, according to a press release.
The display includes a jersey from Nicky Delmonico, a Farragut High School baseball standout who played in the MLB for the White Sox; Eddie Courtney, former football coach who spent 43 seasons with Farragut High School, for which the museum and has his visor and whistle on display.
Also, the museum exhibits the golf gloves and U.S Open invitation of Lance Simpson, who played golf at Farragut, University of Tennessee
and in the 2025 U.S. Open. World Triathlon winner Eric Bell’s shoes also are visible. His 1998-mile record of 4:15 held at Farragut High School until 2025.
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December 23, 2025 by Tammy Cheek
Farragut area pickleball players now have a place to play ball.
The Town officially cut the ribbon on its new nine-court pickleball complex in Mayor Bob Leonard Park, along Harrison Road, Tuesday, Dec. 16.
“This is a long time coming,”
Town Parks & Recreation director Ron Oestreich said. “We’re excited to cut the ribbon.”
“Thank you for coming out today to celebrate the completion of the Mayor Bob Leonard Pickleball complex,” Farragut Mayor Ron Williams said. “We know that these courts will be used well by our local pickleballers.”
“We opened it on [Wednesday] Dec. 3, and these courts have been busy,” Oestreich said. “Everyone’s enjoying them.
“I was complimented the other day about the lights,” he added. “You can see these lights from space. They are beautiful.
“We have heard nothing but compliments on the courts, and we’re really excited to bring this project to you,” Oestreich said.
“One of the most notable things about this project was how quickly the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and Town staff were able to respond to the need for pickleball courts that wouldn’t impact nearby homes with noise,” Williams said. “The Board approved this project in April of last year; and after spending some time on the design, construction began in June of this year.
“As most of you know, this is lightning speed for government work,” he added.
The mayor recognized Ross-Fowler for the complex’s design, as well as builder, Baseline Construction, Town of Farragut Engineering inspector Ben White, “who ensured that the project was built to specifications,” Williams said.
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December 23, 2025 by Staff Reports
“While The Salvation Army is part of a national organization, every local program it operates — including emergency assistance, shelters for individuals and families, opioid-abatement initiatives and disaster relief — is funded entirely by local dollars,” a press release stated. “Much of that funding comes directly from the annual Red Kettle Campaign.”
“The Red Kettle Campaign isn’t just a holiday tradition — it’s what makes our year-round work possible,” said Maj. Cameron Henderson of the Knoxville Area Command of The Salvation Army. “When there’s no volunteer at a kettle, there’s no opportunity for the community to give, and that directly impacts the services we can provide to our neighbors when they need help most.”
According to the release, the number of volunteer bell ringers has declined this year.
“Fewer volunteers mean fewer active kettles,” the release stated. “As a result, total Red Kettle donations to date are approximately 17 percent below where they were at this time last year. That decrease directly correlates with the decline in volunteers.
“People are still donating,” the release added. “There are simply fewer active kettles than usual.”
The shortfall directly affects The Salvation Army’s ability to respond to community needs throughout the year, particularly at a time when demand for assistance continues to rise.
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