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Concerns mount over greenways, property use and Town planning

April 8, 2026 by Tammy Cheek

*Story updated

After hearing from Farragut Alderman Joe LaCroix during his March 11 Office Hours meeting, some residents raised concerns about how eminent domain could affect their properties and the Town’s long-term direction.

Those concerns were discussed further during a March 18 meeting at the farragutpress.

“My concern is there are misrepresentations that the Town has made concerning this situation,” said Shirley Harkins, a Turkey Creek resident who is involved in an active lawsuit against the Town regarding eminent domain.

The concern grew after the Town included Turkey Creek Road in its 2026 Capital Investments Program even though a lawsuit was filed to stop what residents perceived to be the threat of eminent domain.* Knoxville attorney John Neal filed the compliant in Knox Chancery Court in July 2024.

According to the lawsuit, “… The Town has long planned for this condemnation. During this entire process the project has variously been identified as the Turkey Creek Greenway Extension, the Turkey Creek Greenway Connector or the Turkey Creek/Brixworth Greenway Connector. As recently as March 28, 2024, the Town adopted a 2024 “Strategic Plan” in which it referred to ‘funding for Turkey Creek Road Greenway Connection.’

“There is not one document promulgated by the defendants, which suggests that there is any purpose for the project other than extension of the greenway. The proposal by the engineering firm engaged by the Town suggested three possible alternatives for the extension, one including only a minor 2-foot widening of the road in connection with the greenway work.

Rain can’t stop Easterfest

April 8, 2026 by Jake Nichols

Saturday, April 4, First Baptist Concord held its annual “Easterfest” on its campus at 11704 Kingston Pike. A brief rain poured during the afternoon, but people soon emerged from their umbrellas for a fun-filled afternoon with a petting zoo, inflatables and the long-awaited Easter egg hunt, as children snatched up a whopping 16,712 eggs on the Concord Christian football field.

Stonemeade, Boyd Station plans move forward

April 8, 2026 by Tammy Cheek

Farragut Municipal Planning Commission can expect to see final plats for two subdivisions being built in the Town when it meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in Farragut Town Hall.

Russ Rackley, owner and engineer with Rackley Engineering, discussed the final plats for the Stonemeade subdivision off Boring Road and Phase 2 of The Grove at Boyd Station during a Farragut Municipal Planning Commission Staff/Planner meeting Tuesday, March 31.

The Stonemeade subdivision, which will be located just west of Baldwin Park subdivision and across from the new Farragut Area Elementary School currently under construction, will have 32 house lots and seven open-space lots.

“It was rezoned a few months ago to R-3 [Residential District], the same as Baldwin Park,” Town Community Development director Mark Shipley said. “So, it will probably be very comparable to the house floor plans and the general look and feel of this subdivision compared to Baldwin Park.

“The stormwater detention pond is in the southeast corner,” he said. “They’ve got some walking trail connections into Baldwin Park in two locations and also down into Village Commons and a vehicular connection into Village Commons Boulevard.

“One thing we will do is set up a time next Monday to do the site inspection,” Shipley added. “I was out there the other day, and it’s a little further behind than The Grove at Boyd Station.”

Growth, safety take center stage at GOP forum

April 8, 2026 by Tammy Cheek

Concord Farragut Area Republican Club members heard from two candidates seeking Knox County Commission seats during a meeting Thursday evening, April 2.

Members also had an opportunity to ask questions of David Amburn, a candidate for Knox County sheriff.

Garrett Holt and Kimberly Glenn are running in the Republican Primary on May 5. Holt is seeking the at-large Seat 11 while Glenn is running for at-large Seat 10.

Holt, who grew up in Knox County, graduated from West High School and the University of Tennessee. He works in real estate and now is pursuing medical school while running for office.

“It’s not about the next four years or the next eight; it’s about what Knox County looks like in 10 or 20 years,” he said. “My motto for this campaign is how we get proactive instead of reactive about maintaining what makes Knox County a special place to live.

“We’re one of the fastest-growing communities, not just in Tennessee — we’re No. 2 in the state — but in the United States,” Holt added. “People are attracted to this community.

“With that, we have a lot of growth demands being put on the county,” he said. “That increases demands on our roads, infrastructure, educational system, EMS and safety services.

“As I look toward serving in this role, what we’ve done historically isn’t necessarily the formula that works for Knox County moving forward,” Holt said.

Glenn has served as communications director for the Knox County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Tom Spangler for more than seven years.

from the Town

Town center at biddle farms cooperative kicks off with successful meeting

April 8, 2026 by Wendy Smith

As the Communications manager for the Town of Farragut, one of my favorite things is being in the room when Town staff and members of the community decide to trust each other. When there’s trust, productive things can happen.

This occurred recently when Community Development staff met with a group of Town Center at Biddle Farms business owners and managers. The goal of staff was to establish the Town Center at Biddle Farms Cooperative. The Cooperative would build relationships, share concerns, find solutions and coordinate events with the goal of making the Town Center a vibrant, connected commercial district. Visit Farragut, the Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce (FWKCC) and the Farragut Business Alliance would also have a seat at the table.

After a discussion of the proposed purpose of the Cooperative, business owners spoke up. Brad Hamlett of Bradley’s Chocolates said the store hadn’t had the foot traffic they’d hoped for. Matt Trowbridge of SweatHouz complained about the Town’s permitting process.

Ambassador of the Year

April 8, 2026 by

Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce president/CEO Julie Blaylock, left, and FWKCC Board chairman John Volpe present Charlene Waggoner, director of commercial building solutions with City Wide Facility Solutions and farragutpress account executive, with the Ambassador of the Year Award during the Chamber’s Speaker Series: Knox County Mayoral Candidate Luncheon, which took place in Rothchild Catering and Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Thursday afternoon, April 2.

Photo courtesy of Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce

Knox County Mayoral Candidates

April 8, 2026 by

Knox County Mayoral candidates, from left, Beau Hawk, Betsy Henderson, Kim Frazier and Larsen Jay, responded to questions in a panel discussion for Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce’s Speaker Series: Knox County Mayoral Candidate Luncheon, which took place in Rothchild Catering & Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Thursday afternoon, April 2. The event raised $1,000 for Concord Adult Enrichment Services.

Photo by Tammy Cheek

KCSO police reports

April 8, 2026 by

• Shoplifting:

A complainant reported March 23 that two female suspects stole merchandise from Kohl’s Department

Store on Kingston Pike. The suspects selected multiple clothing items and exited without paying before leaving in a white SUV. The reported loss totaled $491.

• Attempted vehicle theft:

A complainant reported an attempted vehicle theft March 16 at a residence on Rifle Range Drive. The complainant stated she could not see the suspect well just that they were in dark clothing and she identified it to be a man. He was driving a tow truck with no company name attempted to remove a vehicle but was unable to do so due to limited space. The suspect left the scene.