Top stories of 2024
Growth, game champs, growing concerns, glowing feats
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A happy bunch of Farragut High School Admirals, led by its Class of 2024 super seniors, captured a TSSAA state-record 13th Tennessee baseball championship, as Division 1-4A state champs, going all the way to the crown in Murfreesboro on Memorial Day weekend for the third straight year while going unbeaten versus in-state opponents. - File photos
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Alex Cain, newly elected Town of Farragut North Ward alderman, takes the oath of office from Farragut Municipal Judge Keith Alley alongside Cain’s parents, Michael and Marti Cain, Aug. 22. South Ward Alderman Drew Burnette was re-elected, while North Ward Alderman Scott Meyer was appointed vice mayor. - File photos
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These men were among roughly 30 Thornton Heights residents meeting with Town officials looking for traffic calming and cut-through solutions Sept. 11, prompted by an FHS student being seriously injured after being struck by a speeding hit-and-run driver in that neighborhood while waiting for her school bus Aug. 8. - File photos
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Among countless numbers of Farragut, Knox County and East Tenneseans having fun in the snow during a mid-January winter storm dropping up to nine inches of snow, dozens of families and other individuals targeted the hills of Town of Farragut’s McFee Park for some good old-fashioned sledding fun. Among those were three generations with strong Farragut ties going down together on a cold early afternoon Thursday, Jan. 18. Susan Davidson, left, was a highly successful volleyball head coach/teacher at Farragut High School who’s now coaching volleyball and teaching at Knoxville Central High School. She is joined by her daughter, Stephanie Welch, an FHS alumnae and former Lady Admirals volleyball standout, and Stephanie’s daughter, Olivia, 7. - File photos
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Dedication of Farragut High School’s football stadium as Eddie Courtney Stadium in honor of the 28-year FHS varsity football head coach (in front with Farragut Football sweater) came at midfield prior to the Admirals’ Region 2-6A showdown versus rival Bearden Saturday, Sept. 28. Family members to his right in front (all in blue tops) are Geoff Courtney (son), new FHS varsity head coach; his wife, Taylor Courtney, and their daughter, Charley; and Eddie’s wife, Anita Courtney. They are joined by Town, Knox County and state political and administrative leaders, FHS principal Dr. John Bartlett, far right on front row; athletic director Donald Dodgen, second from left in back; and Knox County Schools superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk, third from left in back. - File photos
With Farragut Town Center almost ready to become a completely functional unit, in terms of construction, by the end of 2024, Town properties just east of Dixie Lee Junction were becoming new homes (apartments), new facilities (construction of a special Knoxville Temple) and new businesses — opening a new Dollar General and Advance Auto Parts while Dunkin Donuts is under construction.
Meanwhile, a new shopping center in that area, to be anchored by Publix, has finished its parking lot looking to lure other future business after construction in 2025.
Follow a concise look at 2024 in all aspects in this week’s farragutpress — in all sections.
Farragut, personal honors; big snow
Town of Farragut was honored in a handful of ways in 2024, including one “best in state” ranking.
Niche, an online platform for connecting people to their future schools, neighborhoods and workplaces, ranked Farragut as No. 1 in “Best Suburbs for Buying a House in Tennessee.”
The ranking is based on reviews, survey responses and public data sources, including the Department of Education, U.S. Census and FBI.
Tree City USA
Town of Farragut staff’s efforts to care for and preserve Town trees was recognized when it earned a Tree City USA designation by national Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management.
“We waited a long time for this,” Town Community Development director Mark Shipley said last April. “We worked hard, and finally in February ... the Town of Farragut was awarded Tree City designation by the Arbor Day Foundation.”
He added the Town is one of 3,600 communities nationwide to receive that designation.
Courtney’s many honors
Former Farragut High School football head coach Eddie Courtney racked up the honors in 2024.
For starters, Courtney — head coach of the Ads for 28 seasons, winning the 2016 Class 5A state title while and coaching/teaching at the school for 45 years — was named to the 2024 Class of Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame inductees in July; he also was honored with having the FHS entrance-exit drive from North Campbell Station Road named Eddie Courtney Lane last summer.
And to top it all off, the FHS football stadium was named in his honor (see photo) Sept. 28.
