News
July 2, 2020 by Michelle Hollenhead
Nominated by the The Libertarian Party as its presidential candidate, Dr. Jo Jorgensen wants voters to know she is “a genuine person who wants real change for real people.”
The Clemson University senior lecturer sought to demonstrate those qualities when visiting Farragut Tuesday, June 23, filming commercials and campaign promotions at four locations under the direction of area resident Austin Tutor, owner of Vivid Videography.
Jorgensen, along with her campaign manager Steve Dasbach, had lunch at Water into Wine bistro & lounge in Farragut, dropped in on an area ice skating rink — as the candidate also is a long-time hockey player and fan — and visited Tutor’s home-based studio in Walnut Grove.
Jorgensen’s locally-filmed videos, in which she discusses her platform and political positions, were to be posted this week on her Facebook page and her website, www.joj2020.com, Tutor said.
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Leads way among volunteer time praised at annual Banquet
July 2, 2020 by Tammy Cheek
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many closed events, Town of Farragut staff found a way to show its appreciation to its volunteers with a “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” take-out and drive-by banquet at Farragut Community Center Friday, June 26.
In terms of his years of service, Ed St. Clair led the way among volunteers recognized with a Service Award.
St. Clair, an engineer in Oak Ridge most of his career (remaining a consultant), has served on Farragut Municipal Planning Commission for 30 years.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being on the Planning Commission and represent all the folks in Town and (work on our planned growth),” St. Clair said Monday. “It’s been an honor to work with each one of those who have served and been elected and all mayors.
“When I first came on, (the late) Bob Leonard was mayor,” the special honoree added.
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July 2, 2020 by Staff Reports
Farragut Mayor Ron Williams was elected a vice president of the Tennessee Municipal League during the League's annual business meeting recently held via video conferencing. Mike Werner, Gatlinburg mayor, was elected president.
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July 2, 2020 by Michelle Hollenhead
Despite high hopes that in-person governmental meetings could resume this month, Farragut officials have decided to continue virtual meetings through Aug. 29, in conjunction with Gov. Bill Lee’s most recent Executive Order extension.
Lee had been expected to lift the State of Emergency and not extend orders allowing for governing bodies to continue to meet electronically.
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Knox County Sheriff Spangler has 'serious concerns' over the constitutionality of the order
July 2, 2020 by Staff Reports
While Farragut and Knox County will fall under a mandate requiring facemasks be worn inside of any indoor public space starting Friday, July 3, the county’s top law enforcement official has legal doubts about the directive.
This decision was made by Knox County Board of Health Wednesday night, and means:
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July 2, 2020 by Ken Lay, Correspondent
KNOXVILLE — With the upcoming 2020-21 school year scheduled to start in a little more than a month, Knox County Schools Community Reopening Task Force had its second meeting Monday, June 29, at Sarah Simpson Professional Development Center.
The Task Force, which is chaired by Dr. Jerry Askew, president of The Alliance For Better Nonprofits, was comprised of nine community leaders chosen by members of Knox County Board of Education; each of the nine members selected a community or business leader from their respective districts. Susie Carr represents 5th District (including Farragut) on the Task Force.
First meeting of the Task Force was Wednesday, June 24, as Askew and KCS superintendent Bob Thomas mulled through data from a community survey, which was conducted from June 1 to June 19 online on the district’s website. It had more than 30,000 respondents from teachers, parents, administrators and students.
At the second meeting, Task Force members submitted questions to Thomas and other members of KCS administration. The meeting took place just hours after Gov. Bill Lee extended Tennessee’s State of Emergency through Aug. 29.
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July 2, 2020 by Alan Sloan
Questions and confusion remained, as expressed by some of Farragut’s top business authorities, more than three months into the task of Town businesses attempting to abide by state and Knox County directives concerning the coronavirus pandemic.
Announcing “Knox County is going to adopt the Tennessee pledge” was Stephen Krempasky, Shop Farragut/Farragut Business Alliance executive director, about the 101-page state report of COVID-19 prevention guidelines Knox County adopted starting Wednesday, July 1.
An in-depth discussion about the confusion came during the Alliance’s monthly meeting Thursday morning, June 18, in Town Hall.
About all the updates and changes in state and Knox County pandemic requirements and guidelines since March, “My COVID bible just keeps getting bigger … very frustrating for my staff, my patrons,” said Alliance chair Candace Viox, owner of Water into Wine bistro & lounge in Farragut.
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July 2, 2020 by
Voting schedule and candidate lists for Town of Farragut and Knox County General Elections, and State of Tennessee and Federal Primaries:
• Tuesday, July 7, final day to register to vote.
• Friday, July 17, first day of Early Voting period (registered voters can vote at any early voting location in Knox County)
• Thursday, July 30, final day to request an absentee ballot.
• Saturday, Aug. 1, final day for Early Voting period.
• Thursday, Aug. 6, Election Day (registered voters must vote at their assigned precincts). Candidates
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July 2, 2020 by
• On page 1A of the June 25 issue of farragutpress, a headline read incorrectly that Verizon is planning to build a 38-foot cell pole for Village Green. The actual company is U.S. Cellular. We regret the error.
• A sentence in a page 1B sports story June 25 incorrectly stated that Jessie Stephens, new Hardin Valley Academy boys soccer head coach, “is the first woman to be a head coach of a varsity boys sport in the Knoxville area.” Among the female head coaches of boys sports in past years was Ann Ham, who led the Bearden boys tennis team to four consecutive Class AAA state titles (1998 through 2001). We regret the error.
July 2, 2020 by
• At 5:47 a.m., Monday, June 29, two officers with Knox County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a Stone Villa Lane residence in regard to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, officers made contact with complainant/victim/suspect who advised his wife (victim/suspect) had assaulted him. Complainant said he and his wife currently are going through a divorce and began arguing over a bath towel. He further advised the argument carried into the bedroom closet, where he blocked his wife from obtaining his belongings. Complainant advised his wife began pushing and grabbing at him in an attempt to get items from the closet. Wife advised her husband grabbed her by her right tricep and refused to let go, and she pushed him away in an attempt to get free. Complainant denied grabbing his wife. Reporting officer said he “did not observe any marks or bruising on either subject at the time of the initial investigation.” Both subjects were explained their rights and given domestic violence cards.
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