Democrats take majority of school board
Board of Education: Travis Wright from District 8 is vice chair of the Knox County Board of Education, but that doesn’t mean he will move up to the chair. With the unexpected election of Brandy Jenkins in District 9, the Democrats flipped the BOE, now holding a 5-4 majority. Look for Katherine Bike to seek the chair when the new board meets after they take office on September 1, 2026. Here is the new lineup:
- District 1 – Breyauna Holloway (D)
- District 2 – Anne Templeton (D)
- District 3 – Patricia Fontenot-Ridley (D)
- District 4 – Katherine Bike (D)
- District 5 – Lauren Morgan (R)
- District 6 – Lee Ann Eaves (R)
- District 7 – Steve Triplett (R)
- District 8 – Travis Wright (R)
- District 9 – Brandy Jenkins (D)
- Non-voting student on the board – Dominick Pelaia
Republicans retain 7-4 majority on Knox County Commission
Knox County Commission is currently chaired by Gina Oster (District 3) and vice chair Kim Frazier (at-large District 11). Neither will return in September. I haven’t heard any scuttlebutt on a possible chair. It won’t be a Democrat or a newbie or Andy Fox. That leaves three eligible Republicans: Angela Russell, Terry Hill and Adam Thompson. Hill has been chair; Russell is mostly silent; Thompson, a farmer, has been sounding off on land use and preserving agricultural land. Here’s the lineup after September 1, 2026:
- District 1 – Damon Rawls (D)
- District 2 – Courtney Durrett (D)
- District 3 – Brandon Huckaby (D)
- District 4 – Shane Jackson (D)
- District 5 – Angela Russell (R)
- District 6 – Terry Hill (R)
- District 7 – Barry Beeler (R)
- District 8 – Adam Thompson (R)
- District 9 – Andy Fox (R)
- District 10 at-large – Justin D. Cofer (R)
- District 11 at-large – Garrett Holt (R)
New direction for Town of Farragut?
Town of Farragut may be headed in a new direction after the August 6 election of a new mayor and two new aldermen. Farragut is run by a five-member group – the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
Alex Cain
Farragut has shown steady growth since its incorporation in January 1980. Some would say explosive growth. The town has no separate property tax, but is funded by the local share of sales tax and grants from the state or federal government. Many services are provided by Knox County – including schools, law enforcement, the library, senior center and a few parks (Carl Cowan and Concord are examples).
There has typically been a push-pull among developers and homeowner groups. There have been memorable mayors – Bob Leonard, Eddy Ford, Ralph McGill and now Ron Williams. Louise Povlin, a former vice mayor, would have been part of this trend line, but, on August 6, 2026, she was defeated by alderman Alex Cain. It was a 65-vote margin. Unofficial returns had Povlin with 3,034 votes to Cain’s 3,099.
Joey Ruffalo
Alex Cain has lived in Farragut for 25 years. He owns an executive services company that specializes in security and concierge transportation, according to his campaign website. He is a volunteer Farragut High School football coach and has taught criminal justice at both Farragut and Gibbs high schools. He is an active member at First Baptist Concord. He was elected as Ward 1 (North Ward) alderman in 2024.
Greg Wiberley
Joey Ruffalo (1,339) edged Dian Hall (1,257) by 82 votes to win the district north of Kingston Pike. And Greg Wiberley (1,516) won by 105 votes over incumbent alderman Joe LaCroix (1,411) in the South Ward.
Anybody who calls this a mandate is math impaired. The results are a change, for sure, but the election actually shows a town divided. As we often say, stay tuned.
Neighborhood Resource Fair is one-stop shop
Neighborhoods thrive when residents know where to turn for help, information and opportunities to connect. The city of Knoxville’s annual Neighborhood Resource Fair brings these resources together in one place, making it easy for neighbors to discover services, meet community organizations and strengthen connections across the city, said Debbie Sharp, the city’s neighborhoods coordinator.
“Join us on Saturday, August 29, 2026, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the World’s Fair Exhibition Halls 1 & 2, 935 World’s Fair Park Drive, to visit booths from Knoxville and Knox County departments, local nonprofits and community organizations ready to answer questions and connect residents with programs, services and resources that can improve the quality of life in neighborhoods.”
Residents are encouraged to pre-register to receive guaranteed meal vouchers for a concession stand combo meal and extra door prize tickets. Or show up at the door!
New this year: Second Harvest’s Mobile Pantry will be distributing free food boxes to visitors. Also look for:
- Games, face painting, Knoxville Smokies mascots
- Expired/ unnecessary medication drop-off
- Battery and electronics recycling
- Adoptable dogs from the Humane Society.
Empower Knox accepting applications for Emerging Leaders Council
Knoxville residents ages 18-24, as of September 1, 2026, interested in growing their leadership potential are invited to apply for the next cohort of the Mayor’s Emerging Leaders Council program.
Participants will develop their skills learning about civic engagement, elected offices, Knoxville City Council and much more. The program will support nine driven young adults in their development as future leaders of Knoxville. Applications are due by Monday, August 17. If you have questions, contact Emily Norris at enorris@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-3524.
Notes & quotes
Cars for Canines will be Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST at Melton Lake Park. Sponsored by Explore Oak Ridge, the classic car show will benefit Oak Ridge Animal Shelter and Anderson County Humane Society. Food trucks, live entertainment, low-cost microchipping and rabies vaccinations. Free admission for spectators. Pets on leashes or in carriers welcomed. Info here.
Farragut Band Boosters yard sale will be Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 8 a.m. until noon at Farragut High School. Info on donations: kristin.ricciuto@farragutband.org/.
Outdoor Knoxville lists hundreds of activities, many free, all outdoors.
Quote: “They’re digging through my past because they don’t want to talk about Knox County’s future.” – Brandon Huckaby, winner in District 3 for Knox County Commission, “confessing” to a speeding ticket in Corbin, Kentucky, during his youth.
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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes daily at KnoxTNToday – the Let’s Talk series includes topics of law, neighbors, schools, leaders and outdoors. Enjoyed this article? Read more Let’s Talk – Neighbors by Sandra Clark.
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