News
Conference promotes support, resilience
May 6, 2026 by Staff Reports
The Grandparents as Parents program hosted its annual “Parenting the Second Time Around” conference on Tuesday, April 28.
This year’s theme, “The Resilient Caregiver: Strength Through Support,” focused on empowering those who are raising children for a second time, according to a release.
The conference aims to equip grandparents, relative caregivers and professionals with practical tools, valuable resources and up-to-date information to strengthen caregiving skills, promote resilience and build supportive networks.
One of our own at the farragutpress, writer Jake Nichols, has personal experience with this dynamic and felt its impact from an early age.
“Having been raised by my grandmother from ages 12 through 18, I have observed the different ways she had to operate through the years. Although she still spoiled me plenty as my grandmother, she could not exercise that same approach all the time since she had to be a fill-in parent as well,” Nichols said. “Now that I’m older, though, I’m so grateful for that dynamic and how it shaped our relationship. She is still my closest confidant and, as a former English teacher herself, is one of the reasons I became a writer.”
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May 6, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to farragutpress’s questions on April 29 concerning its coverage of the Town of Farragut.
“The patrol zones have not changed, and having a precinct or lack of doesn't change their responsibilities,” replied Kimberly Glenn, communications director for KCSO. “Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputies do a fantastic job of responding to calls for service. If you're looking for specific calls and/or call volume for your area, as well as response times, I suggest contacting E-911.
E-911 did receive a records request from the farragutpress May 4, and the farragutpress received an email, also on May 4, stating E-911 received our request; but the farragutpress has not had any further replies as of press time.
“Additionally, Sheriff [Tom] Spangler has no response to the letter [sent by Farragut Mayor Ron Williams to the sheriff in March],” Glenn said. “[Spangler] is, however, eager to get the new West Knox County precinct open; it is conveniently located at Cedar Bluff to serve all of West Knox County.
“We are pleased to offer a one-stop location where residents can also conduct other business with Knox County,” she added. “As always, if a member of the community needs to file a report, they can do so over the phone at 865-215-2243, and likewise, if they need to obtain a report, they may do so by emailing publicrecords@knoxsheriff.org
Additionally, Capt. Aaron Yarnell with Knox County Sheriff’s Office’s Technology Division, responded, “I would also like to know where the rumors of Farragut not having officers because of a precinct location change.
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May 6, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Imagine your child suddenly becoming critically ill.
There are doctors’ visits, hospital stays, injections, time away from home and tears.
Now, imagine someone comes to you and tells you there is an organization that can make your child’s dream come true, and it does. That organization is Dream Connection.
A “sold-out crowd” of Dream Connection’s supporters joined past and current dream recipients to celebrate its anniversary milestone, present the Legacy Award, raise money and reveal the 2026 dream coming true for a child during its 40th Anniversary Gala in Fox Den Country Club Thursday night, April 30.
Erecka Brown wiped away tears when Denise Rowe announced Brown’s son, Tyheim Westfield, who loves animals and dinosaurs, will be taking a trip to the San Diego Zoo in California. Along with that, Zoo Knoxville staff brought Spencer, a hyacinth macaw, and Ursula, a blue-tongued skink, to the event and the child received a bag of dinosaur toys and an inflatable dinosaur.
“It means a lot to me,” Tyheim's mother said. “It was new to me when I first had him. Everything he’s receiving is a blessing for him because he’s had to go through a lot in life, and he’s been resilient through everything.”
Tyheim, a rising fourth-grader, was born Dec. 17, 2015, with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a cranial/facial difference.
“A few days later he was receiving a [tracheotomy],” Erecka recalled. “I had to learn everything to take care of my baby.”
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May 6, 2026 by Staff Reports
Tennessee Justice Center recently named Tikia Williams of West Knoxville as a 2026 Grandmother of the Year, recognizing “her resilience, compassion and unwavering dedication to her grandchildren,” a TJC press release stated.
Williams was born in Tennessee, and “no matter where life has taken her, Tennessee has always been home,” the release stated.
She spent part of her childhood in California and later returned to Knoxville as a teenager. Over the years, she has lived in Georgia, as well, but she always found her way back to Tennessee, saying, “This is where my family is.”
Family is at the center of everything for Williams. She is the mother of five children, all of whom live in Knoxville, and the grandmother of nine.
Four of her grandchildren have been in her care since March 2024, a responsibility she embraced without hesitation.
Williams describes herself as “hardworking and family-oriented,” and her life reflects that truth every day, the press release stated. Along with caring for her grandchildren, she works as an order picker at Cardinal Health, “balancing long shifts with the demands of raising young children again.”
When her grandchildren came to live with her, Williams immediately tried to apply for TennCare and Medicaid to ensure they and she had the support they needed. Despite her efforts, she was not successful on her own.
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May 6, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Candidates seeking public office in Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen seats gathered in Farragut Town Hall Thursday, April 30, to learn more about the Town and what is expected of the offices.
However, the “hot topic” was the regulations regarding placement of political signs.
“All we can do in the Town is what the state allows us to do,” Town Community Development director Mark Shipley said. “The political sign provisions are governed through the Tennessee Code Annotated and Tennessee Freedom of Speech Act. That gives all municipalities and communities the baseline of what the state allows them to do. They can’t do more than what the state allows them to do.”
For the Town, “some of the big things for us is just making sure that the political signs are not on public properties, including public right-of-way,” Shipley said. “In 2025, we actually amended our sign ordinance to provide for clarity on where we consider the public right-of-way for purposes of sign placement.
“The Town utilizes a 12-foot setback to avoid signs on the right-of-way,” he said. “Keep all signs at least 12 feet from the curb or outer edge of the pavement along roads without a curb.
“Make sure that signs do not block or obstruct vision at roadway or driveway intersections,” Shipley said. “Please consider the perspective of drivers in different size or height vehicles.”
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May 6, 2026 by Staff Reports
Farragut resident Ed Jessup, president/CEO of Jessup & Associates Inc., recently was awarded the esteemed Seven Seals Award in recognition of his outstanding support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.
Jessup received the honor during a special presentation by retired Brig. Gen. Tommy Cauthen, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve state chair. The Seven Seals Award is the broadest, most inclusive award given by ESGR, a Department of Defense program, a press release stated. It recognizes significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative or support promoting and supporting the ESGR mission.
As the leader of Jessup & Associates Inc., which operates as the national sales office for W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company, “Jessup has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting service members within his organization,” the press release stated. “His leadership reflects a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by members of the National Guard and Reserve, as well as a dedication to fostering a workplace that accommodates and values military service.
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May 6, 2026 by
• Man arrested in forged check attempt
On Tuesday, April 21, a man was arrested after attempting to cash a forged check at a local credit union. The branch manager became suspicious of the check and contacted the account holder. The account holder reported the check had been altered from its original amount and payee. He believed the check had been taken from a mailbox. Deputies determined the check had been tampered with, and the suspect was taken into custody on theft and forgery charges.
• Theft, forgery reported at post office
On Wednesday, April 23, a Farragut man reported a theft and forgery incident involving a mailed check at the Farragut Post Office located at 11409
Municipal Center Drive. The complainant said a check placed in an outdoor drop box April 10 was later altered to a different payee. The bank flagged the transaction as suspicious and ultimately reversed it, preventing any financial loss. The case includes theft, forgery and attempted fraud charges.
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