News
First of a 3-part series on grade-level, site input for the new Farragut school
December 6, 2023 by Alan Sloan
With a Boring family member expressing concern about the impact a new Farragut school along Boring Road might have on her family home, which dates back to the 19th century, the second of three campus meetings seeking input about the make-up of the new school was held in Farragut Primary School before about 50 attendees Thursday, Nov. 30.
Dr. Garfield Adams, assistant superintendent of operations for Knox County Schools, joined Douglas Shover, KCS director of facilities and new construction, and Ryan Dillingham, KCS director of transportation, to lead a parent-teacher-administrator feedback/question-answer session about what grade-level school should be placed at the new site and the domino effect on the existing schools.
Adams said the input gathered will be a key element as he and other KCS officials recommend to Knox County Board of Education one of three plans detailed and discussed for input at each Town meeting (see three plans, costing from $42.6 to $66.8 million, on page 3A). That recommendation will happen in January.
“My family’s been there since the 1800s, and this is huge for us,” the Boring family member told the gathering. “And we have had seven generations that have lived there. It’s important to us. We love it.
“We want everybody to enjoy it like they have been,” she added. “People come and walk and take pictures. The whole community loves that road. We just want to make sure that the quality of it and the beauty of it is main thing.
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December 6, 2023 by Tammy Cheek
Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen took another step toward renovations of Town Hall when it voted unanimously, on on first reading, during a special-called meeting Thursday, Nov. 30, to amend its American Rescue Plan Act budget to pay an extra $1.5 million for the renovations.
The Board also approved a contractor bid to do the work.
But the actions came with challenges from two residents who questioned the motion because it “does not match the agenda in the meeting packet, nor does it match the notice in the paper,” pointing out a 200-page comprehensive analysis by Cove Architecture was not in the meeting packet.
“I think what Mike (Mitchell) was more referring to was nobody’s seen the plans,” Alderman David White said. “I can see where the average citizen might want to take a peek at the plans or the specifications and kind of see what we’re going to do, but I don’t think that was put out, and I think that was what Mike’s talking about.”
However, “I’m totally 100 percent in favor of remodeling the (Town Hall) building,” White added. “Our staff and employees need that. They need a work environment that they feel safe in and they can perform.
“I just think it’s time. … It’s good for the citizens, so I’m certainly glad we’re doing it.”
About the 200 pages, “We did not include 200 pages of bid documents that are very specific to what the contractor is doing and what they’re bidding on,” Town administrator David Smoak explained.
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December 6, 2023 by
• At 9:19 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1, two Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Cotton Eyed Joe along Outlet Road in Farragut on report of a disturbance.
Officers spoke with employee/complainant, who said “a male got into an altercation with one of the bouncers over taking a drink on the dance floor inside,” the report stated. “Parties were separated upon officers’ arrival, and (complainant) requested this (customer) to be criminally trespassed. Officers spoke with (the customer), who (said) he did not need medical attention and was upset over the situation.
“Officers advised (customer) he was criminally trespassed, and that if he were to return he would be arrested.”
• At 10:29 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 30, a complainant came inside KCSO West Precinct to report theft from a Briar Creek Drive residence. Complainant advised he received an e-mail at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 28, stating his package from Amazon was delivered.
Complainant said he “went outside to retrieve his package and noticed the seal on the AMD package was cut open and the computer chip was stolen,” the report stated. “Amazon advised the complainant to file a police report for the stolen computer chip.” Total value of loss was listed at $358.99.
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December 6, 2023 by
• Seventeen mothers, PTO leaders and educators have worked side-by-side in a committee to plan the Town’s 2nd Annual Christmas Parade.
The event — complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Admiral Dave, Finley the Dolphin, Buddy the Elf and ex-UT Vols Football greats Bobby Scott and Jeff Hall as grand marshals — is slated to begin at 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 10, with Santa’s Village open from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Farragut Middle School campus.
The new route this year starts at FMS, travels down West End Avenue, proceeds toward Kingston Pike but circles at the second island on the avenue, then travels back up West End to the high school, going the “wrong way” — or clockwise — in FHS’s circle drive car lane before ending in the school’s junior lot.
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December 6, 2023 by
With the Knox County Primary Election quickly approaching, Farragut and Knox voters, perspective voters needing to register and candidates have a few dates to keep in mind leading to the 2024 General Election in August.
• First day to pick up Knox County absentee ballots is today, Wednesday, Dec. 6;
• Knox County candidate qualifying deadline is Thursday, Dec. 14;
• Candidate withdrawal deadline is Thursday Dec. 21;
• Deadline to register to vote is Monday, Feb. 5, 2024;
• Knox County Primary Early voting begins Wednesday, Feb. 14, and runs through Tuesday, Feb. 27;
• Knox County Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 5.
December 6, 2023 by
The website to purchase tickets for the Farragut High School musical “Chicago: Teen Edition” — with performances taking place Thursday, Dec. 7, Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9, in the school’s Vickie B. Wells Auditorium — was incorrectly listed in a Community section story in our Wednesday, Nov. 29, issue.
The correct link is chicagofhs.com
We regret the error.
