News
Turf expert shapes soccer’s biggest stage
June 24, 2026 by Jake Nichols
To say Dr. John Sorochan understands soccer fields is like saying Jimi Hendrix knew how to play the guitar.
In the past five years, Sorochan — a University of Tennessee turfgrass professor — has led teams from UT and Michigan State University in a cutting-edge research collaboration with FIFA for the 2026 World Cup.
With a goal of safe, consistent fields across all 16 World Cup sites, Sorochan and his team have developed new technology, performed 170 tests and reshaped the way grass surfaces across the world will be evaluated from this point forward.
In the process, they built the fLEX device — a machine used to test different cleats on a natural pitch — and discovered the grass blend to use for different climates across World Cup venues: Bermuda grass for warmer venues, a blend of Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass for cooler and indoor stadiums, and a blend of synthetic fibers stitched within each pitch to offer consistent bounce.
For Sorochan, the work paid off when he heard the word “immaculate” in a description of the grass during the United States’ opener with Paraguay.
“When you hear those things, it’s cool, but it’s not just me,” Sorochan reflected. “It’s all the moving parts and everything it takes to get that where it was: growing the sod in Washington state, going to visit the sod farm, talking with them and the stadiums and FIFA having that vision. It’s been really cool knowing what it took to get it where it’s at today.”
Read More
June 24, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Construction on Phase 2 of the Grove at Boyd Station subdivision is nearing completion after the Farragut Municipal Planning Commission unanimously approved the final plat for the phase during its meeting Thursday, June 18.
Phase 2 includes 32 residential lots and two open-space lots on 15.86 acres.
Community Development director Mark Shipley said Town staff conducted a site inspection June 8 and found the project ready for final plat consideration. Approval, however, is subject to three conditions:
• The developer must provide a completion letter of credit, in an amount to be determined by the Town engineer, to cover the surface course, sidewalks and streetscaping.
• The developer must provide a maintenance letter of credit, in an amount to be determined by the Town engineer, to cover streets, pedestrian facilities, stormwater infrastructure and streetscaping.
• The developer must correct Note No. 13, which references an open-space lot that is not part of this phase.
In other business, the Planning Commission approved a mostly aerial fiber-optic installation for
Read More
June 24, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
As Knox County Republican candidate for sheriff, Brent Gibson, makes plans for stepping into the sheriff’s role, he assured on Friday, June 19, to step up patrols in Farragut, as well as other areas in the county.
Since Gibson has no Democratic opponents in the General Election, he can set his sights on being sworn into office. While doing so, he reaffirmed his commitment to provide more officers in Farragut and Knox County.
“I love the people in Farragut, and they need to get treated exactly the same as everybody else,” the candidate said. “We’re going to put more people on the streets, period.
“So, those places that have more population than other places are going to get more people,” Gibson said. “We’re going to figure it out. We’re going to do what’s right for Farragut.
“I’m going to allocate more people to the street,” he promised. “Our traffic unit’s going to step up and do some traffic enforcement. My idea of policing is a little different from the current administration.
We’re going to do the best we can … because that’s what I am; I’m a cop,” Gibson said. “That’s all I’ve ever done my entire career.”
Read More
June 24, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
The Town’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan, imminent domain and the recent sewer spill highlighted some concerns related by candidates seeking Farragut aldermen seats in the Aug. 6 General Election, when the they spoke at Concord Farragut Area Republican Club’s meeting in Fruition Café, 129 West End Ave., Thursday, June 4.
Although the mayoral candidates also were scheduled to speak, Alderman Alex Cain, one of the candidates along with Louise Povlin, was unable to attend because of a death in the family. That mayoral forum was rescheduled to, July 2.
However, club members did hear from North Ward alderman candidates Dian Hall and Joey Ruffalo and South Ward alderman candidates Greg Wiberley and incumbent Joe LaCroix.
“My platform, what I’m running on, is transparency,” said Joe LaCroix said. “Our government needs to speak to the people. The people are very in charge of what we do.
“When I was appointed to that position, I started holding meetings, where people could come in to talk to me,” he said, adding he also puts out information on his social media page regarding the Board’s upcoming agendas.
Also, “people need to step in and talk to us, talk to the Town, to get the Comprehensive Land Use Plan going,” LaCroix said.
Another issue he sees is the Town’s infrastructure the Town needs to address.
Read More
June 24, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Farragut Municipal Planning Commission will have a new youth representative serving on the commission.
During its meeting Thursday, June 18, the commission unanimously appointed Farragut High School junior Kaylee Jin as its youth representative.
"During the past fiscal year, FHS senior Albert Liu has served as the youth representative and has done an excellent job," Community Development director Mark Shipley said. "For the upcoming fiscal year, Kaylee Jin has applied to be the Planning Commission representative."
Shipley described Jin as "a very impressive student" with a desire to be involved in her community.
"This is exactly why the youth representative program was created a number of years ago," he said. "The Planning Commission is intimately involved with how the community will look and feel over time, and having someone present to address the perspective of young people is critical, especially with the upcoming update to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan that will be occurring over the next year."
"This board has more influence over what the Town's going to be than any other board that we have in the Town," Shipley added.
Read More
Be part of a historic community celebration
June 24, 2026 by
In 2026, America marks its 250th Anniversary, and farragutpress is creating a special commemorative edition honoring our nation’s history, heritage, and future. This edition will publish on July 1.
Businesses, organizations, and community leaders are invited to showcase their support and connect
with thousands of local readers through two unique advertising opportunities.
The farragutpress America 250 Special Edition will commemorate our nation’s semiquincentennial
with historical features, community stories, local perspectives, and reflections on America’s past, present, and future.
This keepsake edition is designed to be saved, shared, and enjoyed long after publication.
Read More
June 24, 2026 by Jake Nichols
Saturday, June 13, the District 5 unit of the Knox County Democratic Party gathered for a picnic and meet-and-greet with candidates ahead of the Knox County general election in August.
The setting was more relaxed than a typical political gathering, as people came together in the River Sound neighborhood from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“I feel like this has been our best way of outreach to people,” said Damon Boggess, Knox County Democratic Party’s District 5 representative. “It’s welcoming and fostering that sense of community is what Democrats need to be doing more. This is an informal way of getting to know people, and whenever we’re canvassing, people will say, ‘There are no Democrats on my street.’ And we can say, ‘Actually, there’s 20 in your neighborhood.’ So it’s a way to get those people working together to establish a sense of community.”
This picnic is an annual event for the group, though election years bring a different feel.
There were Democratic candidates for different offices present Saturday. A few of these included District 14 State House Representative candidate Lindsay Young Honaker, District 2 State House Representative candidate Michaela Barnett, U.S. Senate candidate Maria Brewer and Katina Sharp, who is running for the Knox County Commission’s At-Large Seat 10.
Read More
June 24, 2026 by
farragutpress is now accepting political profile submissions for the 2026 election cycle.
As the 2026 election season approaches, farragutpress is providing political candidates with an opportunity to share their message directly with readers through candidate profiles published in the newspaper.
• Each candidate may submit one profile, and the written content should be 400 words or fewer.
• One photograph may accompany the profile.
• While the newspaper will not alter the substance or message of submitted profiles, it reserves the right to make spelling and grammar corrections as needed / AP style.
• All submissions will be reviewed by the Publisher prior to print deadlines to ensure they meet established standards.
• Candidates need to provide contact information with their submission in case clarification or follow-up is necessary.
Candidates may email their political profiles to editor@farragutpress.com
The deadline for political profiles prior to the August 6th election is 12 p.m. on Friday, July 10th.
Deadline for profiles is Friday by 12 p.m. prior to the following week’s publication.
June 24, 2026 by
• Mail theft: A Farragut woman reported June 11 that a $1,000 check she mailed from the Farragut Post Office at 11409 Municipal Center Drive in July 2025 to the Internal Revenue Service had been altered and fraudulently deposited. The complainant said she recently learned the IRS never received payment. After contacting her credit union, she discovered the check had been washed, rewritten to a different payee and deposited through a mobile banking account. The incident was reported as felony theft from a building, forgery and fraud by false pretenses.
• Public intoxiction: On June 14, Knox County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a suspect on a charge of public intoxication after responding to a disturbance at a business on Outlet Drive. According to the report, deputies found the suspect yelling in a parking lot after a verbal argument. The suspect allegedly showed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and the odor of alcohol and was taken into custody after deputies determined he posed a danger to himself and others.
Read More
