News
March 18, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
With the Capital Investment Program budget draft close to completion, Town administrator David Smoak introduced a new project, a Public Works complex, during a Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen budget workshop Thursday, March 12, that could affect the Town’s bottom line.
“When we put that project in here, that changes these numbers considerably,” Smoak added.
“I think this project should be a very big priority,” Alderman Alex Cain said. “They are the face of the Town — on a day to day basis — those [Public Works and Parks] departments, and I think they deserve the best facilities.”
“I have absolutely no doubt that we need something new, [but] I am nowhere near ready to support $10-$13 million on a last-second drop in my lap,” Alderman Drew Burnett said. “I don’t like surprises, unless it’s my birthday.
“But, this is a whole lot,” he said. “I feel like it’s getting shoved into the budget at the last second. “I’m just not there,” Burnett said. I’m there in that I know that we need it, but something with this type of expenditure this large. Man, I would like to get in a room and just white boarding, looking at options … there are a lot of options.”
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From music to sculpture, artists featured in museum exhibit
March 18, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Artists hailing from Farragut come in many forms — actors, singers/songwriters, muralists, graphic designers, designers and sculptors.
Thus, Farragut Museum, located in Farragut Town Hall, is featuring them in a new temporary exhibit, “Farragut Focus: A Creative Community.”
“We just really wanted to showcase some of the artists who have come from Farragut,” said Kristi Vining, Historic Resources coordinator. “We are really proud of all we accomplished and the contributions that we’ve made to the art world.
“These former Farragut residents — and some are still Farragut residents — have a lot to be proud of, so we wanted to share their stories,” she said.
The exhibit runs now through the end of April in the museum, 11408 Municipal Center Drive, and focuses on Farragut artist: performing, visual, literary and musical. Admission is free. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
“We have docents there [at the museum] who’ll give a tour and answer questions,” Vining said.
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March 18, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Voters have an opportunity to learn more about the candidates running for Knox County mayor when Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce presents its 2026 Speaker Series: Knox County Mayoral Candidate Luncheon.
The event will take place from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, April 2, in Rothchild Catering & Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. The program will begin at 11:45 a.m.
Republican candidates, Larsen Jay, Kim Frazier and Betsy Henderson and Democratic candidate Beau Hawk will answer questions on topics affecting the county.
“Generally, whenever there’s a major election for the role of county mayor, which impacts Knox County, impacts the Town of Farragut and every community in between, we think it’s important to encourage civic engagement and voter education ahead of those primary elections,” FWKCC president/CEO Julie Blaylock said. “We did a forum similar to this back in 2018, which was the first primary during which Glenn Jacobs ran for mayor.
“This election cycle, we’re very appreciative and thankful we were able to secure
participation of all of the declared county mayor candidates,” she said. “We’re also extremely grateful to have
the participation of Dr. William Lyons, professor emeritus of political science at the Baker School of Public Policy and Affairs at our University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus.
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March 18, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Daddies and their daughters once again will have a chance to dance together as Town of Farragut presents
its annual Shamrock Ball Saturday, March
21, in Farragut Community Center, 239 Jamestowne Blvd.
“It’s our favorite event of the year,” Town Parks & Recreation director Ron Oestreich exclaimed. “Dads and daughters all dressed up — it’s so fun to see all the dresses and how excited the little girls are to be with their dads and to dance with their friends and just have a great time here.”
There will be two time sessions from which to choose: from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m.
“They’re both equally popular,” he said of the sessions.
However, Oestreich observed the younger girls usually come from 3 to 5 p.m. then the older girls attend the 6 to 8 p.m. session.
Cost for the event is $30 per couple. They can register at the front desk of Farragut Community Center or visit online at townoffarragut.org
“If there’re multiple children, then it’s $5 for each additional child,” he said.
Oestreich anticipates 100 couples will attend each session.
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March 18, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Developers planning projects in the Town of Farragut may be getting a break.
Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously in favor of amending its stormwater management control ordinance, Section 111-7, regarding requirements for stormwater detention.
Town engineer Darryl Smith said the amendment “would remove a requirement for stormwater detention in the lower portion of a watershed where engineering documentation can demonstrate that this would have a positive effect on overall stormwater management due to the timing of stormwater runoff.
“As noted during discussion with the [Farragut Municipal] Planning Commission, there is a reasonable argument to allow developments in the lower portions of large watersheds to be exempt from stormwater detention requirements,” he said. “This should be considered only for developments draining directly into a major stream or only across other properties that are part of the same development before entering the stream.
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from the Town
March 18, 2026 by Wendy Smith
Three park projects that have been anticipated/needed for years will come to fruition soon, and no one is more excited about them than Parks & Rec director Ron Oestreich.
“We’re really busy right now with new programs and construction projects, but it’s a good busy, and I know that the community appreciates everything we’re working on,” he says.
A brand-new amenity that is scheduled to be completed this fall is access to Red Mill Dam. In August of 2020, the Town received a 6.43-acre parcel that includes Red Mill Dam from an anonymous donor. Turkey Creek runs through the property, and it was dammed to make a forebay, a reservoir that collects water to run equipment like a water wheel. The property is located on the west side of Concord Road, just north of Turkey Creek Road.
While the dam is scenic, it isn’t easily accessible. A small parking lot and pathway will give the public easy access to this historic area. The project, which is currently in the design stage, consists of a 10-stall parking lot and a paved pathway to an overlook of the dam.
“This is a unique park, different from any other property in town. The natural aspect of this area is truly amazing,” says Oestreich.
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