News
May 20, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Farragut leaders expressed frustration, concern and urgency during a Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting Thursday, May 14, following a sewer pipe break that contaminated the North Fork of Turkey Creek.
Aldermen and Town officials discussed cleanup efforts, public safety and long-term environmental impacts after residents reported dead aquatic life and strong odors in the creek.
“I think our entire community is outraged by what’s happened,” Alderman Joe LaCroix said.
Alderman Drew Burnette said he believed stronger measures were needed around the contaminated creek.
“I think FUD should come down there and block everything so nobody can get to that water,” Burnette said, adding he wanted ongoing water-quality readings published for the public. “I’m just not
seeing the activity that I think we should be seeing from the other agencies; so I think we have to
step in and have a point person … in the absence of their leadership, we need to step into that role as
much as possible and get that information out to the community.”
Alderman Alex Cain agreed with Burnette, adding,“It just seems like when you go by there, there’s nothing being done other than waiting for the water to flow through the creek,” Cain said.
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May 20, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Village Green residents described dead wildlife, foul odors and fears for their children and pets during a Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting Thursday, May 14, after a sewer spill contaminated the North Fork of Turkey Creek.
Resident David Nelson, whose home backs up to the creek, called the environmental damage “an atrocity.”
“I could spend three minutes describing the wildlife I’ve seen in that creek over the last 32 years, and it’s brought a joy to my family,” Nelson said. “And, to hear there was a total loss...”
Nelson said dead fish, crawfish and worms filled the creek after the spill. He also described gray sludge coating rocks along the shoreline.
“As a resident, when will we know … when it will be safe for them to go back in the creek?” he asked, referring to children and pets.
Resident Matthew Rekers said the creek has long been part of daily life for his family.
“I’ve got five kids; we have six dogs,” Rekers said. “They run, jump into that creek. My kids have tried to drink out of that creek.”
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May 20, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Land acquisition negotiations are expected to begin soon for Phase II of the Virtue Road Multi-modal Improvement Project.
During its Thursday, May 14, meeting, Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved a contract with Johnson Mirmiran & Thompson Inc. for appraisal and negotiation services related to right-of-way acquisition for the project.
Town engineer Darryl Smith said the project includes reconstruction of Virtue Road from 1,200 feet south of Needlegrass Lane to Willow Cove Way on Boyd Station Road.
“The Town’s design consultant has completed right-of-way plans for the project, and we have been given notice to proceed with the right-of-way acquisition phase,” Smith said.
He added the project is funded through federal Surface Transportation Block Grants with an 80/20 federal-local funding split and must comply with requirements from the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Local Programs Development Office.
“We completed the process of issuing a request for qualifications and selected JMT Inc. as our preferred consultant based upon their qualifications,” Smith said. “The contract is for negotiations, with appraisals to be subcontracted. The total fee for services will be $249,600, including reimbursable expenses.”
Alderman Drew Burnette asked whether affected residents had been contacted.
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May 20, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Town of Farragut’s 2026-27 budget received initial approval with a 4-0 vote from Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen during the Board’s meeting Thursday, May 14.
The budget includes funding for a new economic development coordinator position and an additional $15,000 for Farragut Business Alliance/Shop Farragut. The ordinance still requires a second reading before taking effect for the fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2027.
“The staff did a great job,” Alderman Joe LaCroix said. “It was a long, drawn-out process. It was a lot of work on their part.”
Before the vote, Farragut Business Alliance/Shop Farragut president Candace Viox asked the Board to increase funding for the organization, which operates through a volunteer board.
“We are a non-government volunteer board,” Viox said. “We share important information and content for our businesses.”
Viox said Shop Farragut promotes local businesses through social media, a business directory, the Town Sampler contest and community events, such as the Health and Wellness Expo, Dog Daze and Harvest Fest.
To continue offering those events and services, Viox said costs have increased significantly.
“Our rental infrastructure for events have increased by over 200 percent,” she said.
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Popular program at FHS leads kids to careers in construction
May 20, 2026 by Wendy Smith
It’s no secret that many families choose to live in Farragut because of its excellent schools. According to the Farragut High School website, the school offers 61 Advanced Placement and honors courses and has produced 68 National Merit Finalists over the past five years. But if that’s all you know about FHS, you’re missing an important part of the story: the breadth of the school’s programs.
I have long been intrigued by the construction classes offered at FHS; and a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit. I wasn’t prepared for the scale of Richie Patton’s “classroom.” More warehouse than workshop, the space is packed with tools and materials, including the remains of a cinder-block structure where students once practiced installing plumbing and electrical systems. It had to be torn down, Patton said, because it wasn’t large enough for his classes, and space is at a premium.
“We need every inch of space we can get,” he explained.
That’s because the classes are maxed out. There is a waitlist for the program, which offers training in five trades: carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing and masonry. The introductory course, Fundamentals of Construction, teaches students how to use hand and power tools, read construction drawings and practice safety on and off the jobsite. The second and third levels provide more in-depth training in residential and commercial construction.
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May 20, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Farragut Museum recently won two awards from East Tennessee Historical Society — Project Excellence Award and Publication Excellence Award — during ETHS’s annual Awards of Excellence’s awards ceremony Tuesday, May 5, at East Tennessee History Center in Knoxville.
Since 1982, ETHS annually has recognized individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the preservation, promotion and interpretation of the region’s history.
“After Town Hall renovations, the Farragut Museum reopened in April 2025, and the staff and Museum Committee have worked really hard to create new marketing materials, new programs, new displays and new events to improve the museum and generate awareness and excitement surrounding the museum,” Town Historic Resources coordinator Kristi Vining said.
“The museum celebrates the history of our area and Admiral Farragut, and we enjoy sharing our story,” she added. “Since reopening, we have greeted out-of-town visitors, longtime residents, new residents, school groups and civic organizations, and we are passionate about making sure everyone has a good experience.
“We have space for a rotating exhibit and we’ve highlighted veterans, Farragut sport stars, Farragut artists and currently we have a display on the history of churches in Farragut,” Vining said. “I think the awards are just a way for the Farragut Museum to be recognized that we are going in the right direction. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I am looking forward to what’s to come for the Museum.”
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May 20, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Contracts for planning the McFee Park property and construction bids for the dog park at McFee Park received unanimous approval from Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen during its Thursday, May 14, meeting.
The Board approved a professional services agreement with Tunnel-Spangler & Associates to develop a master plan for the new park at a cost of $134,340.
The Town purchased 70 acres on the west side of McFee Road near the intersection of Boyd Station Road in 2023 for $5.5 million for future park development. In 2025, Farragut was awarded a $2.75 million federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to help fund the park, with construction of recreation facilities expected to begin by 2027. Of the 70 acres, 15 acres were donated by the property owner.
“In keeping with Land and Water Conservation Fund grant required timelines, the Town of Farragut is seeking a qualified firm to work closely with the Town, residents and stakeholders on a master plan for the 70-acre Town-owned property at the corner of McFee and Boyd Station roads,” Town Parks and Recreation director Ron Oestreich said.
“The project will include public input and conceptual planning for a roundabout property entrance off McFee and Boyd Station roads, internal park roadways, parking, pedestrian and bicycle circulation and at least one permanent restroom facility, consistent with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation grant requirements and applicable local plans,” he said.
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