News
Farragut residents thrive in Hard Knox Roller Derby
April 22, 2026 by Jake Nichols
Kisha Durst still remembers the moment everything clicked.
The year was 2009, and Durst was in her third season with a Hard Knox Roller Derby team, which was still in its infancy.
Her own knowledge of the sport remained limited at that point. During bouts, opponents and teammates flew by — nothing more than a blur of helmets, knee pads, glitter and black lipstick.
Then, in the snap of a finger, everything clicked.
“It was like someone flipped a switch,” Durst recalled 17 years later, “and everything slowed down to a normal pace. It all made sense, and I could see and understand what was happening.”
Fast-forward almost two decades, and Durst — a Farragut resident since 2019 — has become a crucial piece of the Hard Knox league in a sport still relatively new to the region.
“I am an OG [Original Gangster], yes,” joked Durst, who works as a guest experience coordinator for BlackBerry Farm during the week.
But once Durst clocks out of her daily job and straps on her multicolored helmet, she transforms into her alter-ego, “Bushwacker.”
“Roller derby is basically my second job,” she said during a bout on Saturday, April 4. “I’m head of training and a coach and captain of the All-Stars. So it’s my second, non-paying job.”
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April 22, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
As developers finish construction of The Grove at Boyd Station and Stonemeade subdivision, Farragut Municipal Planning Commission unanimously approved final plats with conditions during its meeting Thursday, April 16.
The Grove received approval for Phase 2, Unit 1, with conditions attached. Commissioner Noah Myers made the motion to approve the final plat, seconded by Mayor Ron Williams, who also serves on the Planning Commission. The subdivision encompasses 16.15 acres with 15 lots zoned Open Space Mixed Residential (OSMR).
“This is the next phase of The Grove at Boyd Station [located at McFee and Boyd Station roads, where a roundabout recently was constructed as part of a Town road improvement project],” Community Development director Mark Shipley said. “The road was just recently reopened.”
In addition to house lots, the development includes two open-space lots.
“This is a relatively small phase,” Shipley added.
Russ Rackley, engineer and owner of Rackley Engineering, said there are four plats total, but the project is in its final phase.
Shipley said conditions of approval include providing a two-year maintenance letter of credit for pedestrian facilities, stormwater detention and roadway; a completion letter of credit for pedestrian facilities and landscaping; a copy of covenants for Town attorney approval; required signatures; completion of remaining site-related punch list items; and correcting a note error.
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April 22, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Local residents received good news from the Farragut Municipal Planning Commission, which approved renovations to a supermarket in Town during its meeting Thursday, April 16.
Preston Kendall, project manager for Ingles Markets Inc., said Ingles is planning a “big remodel” of the interior of Store 91, 11847 Kingston Pike while also adding a covered canopy and cart corral enclosure to the exterior. As such, he submitted a site plan for the newer segment of the storefront to FMPC.
“This is part of a big remodel that we’re doing inside of the store,” Kendall said. “This is something to help what we’re doing on the inside and give people a place to sit outside and under shelter from the sun and the weather.”
“For the FMPC, this is relatively minor, at least from the exterior perspective,” Town Community Development Director Mark Shipley said. “What’s being proposed is a covered seating area east of the eastern access into Ingles.
“And then, on the west end of the west entrance, there would be a cart corral area expansion there,” he said. “Now, the covered area on the east side — and this is one of the comments when the first site plan came through — does cross the sidewalk across the front of the building.
“So, they’re routing the pedestrian route through that space if somebody wants to come from the east of this covered seating area. That route will be marked and delineated, and all the tables will have to be fixed so they don’t stray into the path, because that can happen if that’s not taken care of,” Shipley said.
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April 22, 2026 by Submitted by Candidate
Dear Farragut Neighbors,
My name is Betsy Henderson, and I’m running for Knox County mayor because I believe this community is at a crossroads.
East Tennessee isn’t just where I live, it’s home. I was raised here, and like so many families in Farragut, my husband and I chose to build our life in Knox County because of the values, schools and sense of community that make this area so special.
My perspective on leadership was shaped early in life. My parents built small businesses right here. I saw firsthand the long hours, the risks and the determination it takes to make a small business succeed. They didn’t have the luxury of waste or inefficiency, and neither should government. That experience gave me a deep respect for the hardworking families and small business owners who are the backbone of Farragut and all of Knox County.
In my time as chair of the Knox County School Board, I focused on getting back to basics, cutting bureaucracy, investing in classrooms and delivering real results for students and families. That same approach is what I will bring as your mayor, focusing on what matters most: good roads, strong public safety and excellent schools, all while cutting waste and not raising taxes.
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April 22, 2026 by Submitted by Candidate
Jimmy “J.J.” Jones is a lifelong law enforcement officer who has dedicated his career to serving and protecting the people of Knox County. He worked his way through the ranks of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, gaining hands-on experience in patrol, investigations and leadership before serving two full terms as sheriff from 2007 to 2018.
During his time as sheriff, J.J. led one of the largest departments in the county, overseeing patrol operations, detention facilities, and a multi-million-dollar budget. Under his leadership, the department achieved a 92 percent homicide solve rate, implemented body-worn cameras to strengthen transparency and established structured partnerships like 287(g) to enhance public safety efforts.
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April 22, 2026 by Submitted by Candidate
John R. Whitehead is a lifelong Knox County resident who has dedicated his life to serving both his country and his community. A graduate of Carter High School, John went on to serve four years in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. That experience shaped his commitment to discipline, integrity and putting others before himself, values that have guided him throughout his life.
After returning home, John began his career in Knox County government, where he quickly found his calling in public service. He started as an appraiser and worked his way up to chief Deputy Assessor, a role he held for 18 years. His leadership and dedication led to his election as Knox County Property Assessor, where he served four terms.
During his time as Assessor, John built a strong record of accountability and professionalism. He successfully led four successive countywide reappraisals with zero audit findings from the state, demonstrating careful oversight and attention to detail. His work earned him numerous recognitions, including the Tennessee
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April 22, 2026 by
In preparation for the new elementary school, Knox County will close Boring Road between Burney Circle and Boring Lane to through-traffic. The planned start date for the project is Monday, April 27. This closure is expected to last 3-5 weeks.
April 22, 2026 by
• Forgery, theft reported at post office
A Farragut man reported April 13 that a check mailed from the Farragut Post Office at 11409 Municipal
Center Drive post office was altered and cashed without authorization. The check, originally written for $17,698.73, had the payee name changed and was cashed on April 3,
according to the report. The complainant did not know if the check was cashed in person or through a mobil app. Authorities listed the case as theft, forgery and fraud. No suspect information was available.
• Fraud reported at Kingston Pike store
A Dollar General manager reported April 11 that multiple suspects used deception to obtain merchandise at a store on Kingston Pike. The suspects attempted to pay for an Apple gift card with a declined
debit card, then convinced an employee to process the transaction as cash. The loss was reported at $495. No arrests were made.
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April 22, 2026 by
Don’t let your fur baby be left out! Send in your pet’s picture to be included in farragutpress’ annual
special section, Home is Where Your Pet Is!
Email photo and pet’s name to production3@farragutpress.com by Monday, April 27.
