PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID KNOXVILLE TN PERMIT # 109
5 ACRES IN FARRAGUT
11755 BLACK RD - Close to Turkey Creek, level yard, wood burning stove, stone fireplace, hardwood flrs, main level master w/walk in tile shower, dual vanities, whirlpool w/jets, tile Kitchen w/island, custom cabinets, 3 car garage, 2 BR & full BA up, loft/ bonus. www.valariethompson. com/869255 MLS 869255 $279,900
Valarie M. Thompson M.B.A., ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, RRC, PMN, e-PRO, REALTOR®, CDPE
www.farragutpress.com
Copyright © 2014 farragutpress
ISSUE 29 VOLUME 26
865-218-1149
50 cents
865-694-8100 homesbyval@aol.com
FARRAGUT, TENNESSEE
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014
String of Farragut burglaries ends in arrest KCSO task force members nab two following Cedar Bluff break-in
■
ALAN SLOAN asloan@farragutpress.com
Knox County Sheriff’s Office detectives said two suspects, caught while allegedly attempting to burglarize a Cedar Bluff office early Friday morning, March 21, may be connected to several burglaries in the town of Farragut. Kenneth Carl Loveday Jr. and
Jason Boyd Leffew, both 42 years old and from Knoxville, were charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools. Loveday also was charged with the March 17 burglary of VG’s Bakery at 11552 Kingston Pike. He admitted to breaking into the business by prying open the back door and looking for cash, a KCSO press released stated. “It’s just my really strong
hunch that these are the two guys we’ve been looking for,” KCSO Capt. Jeff Palmer, town of Farragut liaison, said. “Our undercover guys, the Criminal Leffew Investigation Unit … had been floating around in unmarked cars. They had developed intelligence that they were out in a particular
vehicle. I believe it was a black [ F o r d ] Expedition. … They saw the black Expedition leaving the scene.” With both suspects having criminal histories Loveday involving burglary and theft according to the press release, Loveday and Leffew are part of a continuing KCSO investigation involving
more than 20 burglaries, Palmer said. The burglaries, including Karns and Cedar Bluff businesses, date back to Feb. 12. Most of the burglaries were committed by prying open the back door, the report stated. “It’s the same M.O. We had developed a pattern of conduct where they’d used a pry bar to the back door of these businesses and little strip malls,” Palmer added. Leffew was released from Knox County Jail after posting See ARREST on Page 2A
Field of four vie for Trustee ■
ALAN SLOAN asloan@farragutpress.com
Four candidates for Knox County Trustee were listed on Knox County Election Committee’s website as of the filing deadline Thursday, Feb. 20 — three Republicans and one Democrat. Knox County Primary is Thursday, Aug. 7. General campaign begins thereafter leading up to Tuesday, Nov. 4, general election. Incumbent Craig Leuthold, 50, a former Knox County Commissioner, was appointed Trustee in July 2013 to replace John Duncan III, who resigned facing official misconduct charges. “Prior to being appointed Trustee, I did work in the office for 16 years,” Leuthold said. “…
I worked in most of the departments, so I learned about the office.” Also with “two-and-ahalf years” working in Knox County Property Assessor’s Leuthold office, “It gives me a unique set of knowledge and experience that no other candidate has,” Leuthold said. “… Also knowing how this office works in the collections side of it, and how these two offices need to work seamlessly. “I worked as a realtor before I went to work for the Trustee office, for six years,” Leuthold added. “Since I have been in the
office, morale has picked up. And I’ve been able to eliminate five positions. It’s saving the county $300,000 in salaries annually.” Republican Ed Shouse Shouse, 63, currently is Fourth District Knox County Commissioner. “I have a background in business and finance that I don’t think any of my current opponents have,” Shouse said. “… I actually was a trustee for First Tennessee [Bank] for a number of years. … Handing hundreds of millions of dollars of other people’s money. Bond money, tax
money and so forth. I have an extensive background in that field. I was also in the shortrun railroad business for about 15 years. “Bottom line, I’ve got Berrier real life business experience in the private sector, over 30 years of it, that I haven’t see reflected in any of the bios of anybody else that’s running.” Republican Barry Hawkins cites 17 years experience working in Trustee’s office, through July 2011, including “reconciling many of the bank accounts that we had.”
“The last couple of years or so I’ve been selling real estate with my brother.” Hawkins, 48, also said he plans to cut office staff roughly in half. “My whole time Hawkins there, that office has always been overstaffed,” he said. “What I’m going to do, I’ve looked at other counties,” saying Davidson County has 22 Trustee office employees and Hamilton County 15 versus Knox County’s 40. “I’m going to bring that staff See TRUSTEE on Page 4A
BOMA OK’s funding increase for outdoor classroom project ■
TAMMY CHEEK tcheek@farragutpress.com
Funding and approval for bids to do work on the outdoor classroom project received final approval during the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting Thursday, Feb. 27. BOMA members voted unanimously on second reading to approve the $165,000 needed to finish the project and award the bid to J&D Excavating and Contracting, Inc. Town administrator David Smoak said the outdoor classroom, being built off Campbell Station Road at the Farragut High School west driveway, was a $235,000 project. Last year, the Town budgeted $100,000 for the classroom, and this year it budgeted $135,000. The additional $165,000 will come from Capital Improve-ment Program reserves. The increase in funding resulted from input during a workshop Thursday, Feb. 13. Town engineer Darryl Smith
said at that workshop additions to the project increased the cost. The Board unanimously voted on first reading to add the additional funding to the capital outlay fund for the project during the BOMA meeting, which followed, Feb. 13. Smith said the classroom is a priority project in the Town’s strategic plan. “The outdoor classroom project is intended to provide a dynamic educational environment for public use in water quality demonstrations and exhibits,” he said. The Town opened bids Tuesday, Jan. 28. There were three: J & D Excavating and Contracting Inc., $335,774; Southeast Contractors Inc., $409,905 and Merit Construction, $399.700. “The staff has worked with J & D in the past, is familiar with their background and history and recommends them highly,” he said. “The bid allows for two deductive bid alternates, as well as one additive bid alter-
LEANNA FARRINGTON GETTYSVUE
nate. The two deductive bid alternates are small elements the staff thinks could be completed as community projects by Eagle Scouts, Smith said. The additive alternate bid would achieve a desired color for the parking lot pavers. Smith recommended accepting all three alternates. On another action, the Board unanimously approved reappointing Jim Holladay to the Town’s Economic Development Committee. Town recorder Allison Myers said EDC charter requires “The term of any member shall expire on the third absence from committee meetings during the fiscal year. Members may seek re-appointment by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.” Myers said Holladay, who is serving his second term on EDC, has missed three meetings because of illness this year and was suspended. In a letter to the Board, Holladay requested re-appointment.
File photo
Farragut and surrounding area children can enjoy the upcoming Book Fest for Children, just as Amelia Hargett, 5, left, and her friend and neighbor, Canie Smith, 7, did during last year’s event. The girls hold up “Mercedes James” at the booth by author Paul Hartigan.
Book Fest slated for April 12
■
TAMMY CHEEK tcheek@farragutpress.com
Farragut and surrounding area children can expect to have fun with books when they attend Farragut Book Fest for Children. The event, presented by Farragut Arts Council and Knox
REALTOR, ABR, MULTI MILLION DOLLAR PRODUCER
9329 Hidden Green Lane 6 BR, 6 Full, 2 Half BAs, 8,431 SF MLS 855496 $1,750,000
WHEATON PLACE
1637 Wheaton Place 3.45 ACRES, 5 BR, 3 Full, 1 Half BAs, 6,642 SF MLS 863786 $608,000
County Library Farragut Branch, is set from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 12, at Founders Park at Campbell Station along Campbell Station Road. This is the seventh year for Book Fest, which is free and See BOOK FEST on Page 5A
www.leannafarrington.com DEVANSHIRE
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY PROPERTY, GO TO www.leannafarrington.com REMAX PREFERRED PROPERTIES, Each office is independently owned and operated.
1733 Cape Brittany Way 3 BR, 2 BA, 1,581 SF Knoxville, TN 37932 MLS 874027 REDUCED TO ONLY $145,000.
SCAN WITH YOUR SMART PHONE TO SEE ALL LISTINGS
10820 Kingston Pike • Knoxville TN 37934 • Cell: 865-771-4151 • Office : 865-694-8100 • Office Fax: 865-531-6377