Names Released of the Two People Found Dead in River Watch Community House Fire

September 19, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The names of the two people found dead in a house fire last week in the River Watch Community of DeKalb County have now been identified.

According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, the State Medical Examiner has identified the deceased as 33-year-old Kristin Kerrigan of Nashville and 34-year-old William Waynick of Franklin

The residence is owned by the Waynick family.

The address of the property, previously reported as 566 River Watch Trace, is actually 110 Mountain Harbour Drive Sparta (DeKalb Co)

Cause of the fire remains undetermined as the investigation continues.

Information on any plans for Kerrigan’s memorial were not immediately available.

William Thomas Waynick, II, age 34, passed away on September 13, 2023. Will was born on May 10, 1989 to Roger and Nancy Waynick. He was the second of their four children, their eldest son. Will was a naturally gifted athlete and excelled at baseball, football, and track. Will was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was stationed at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida and served aboard the USS Gettysburg. Will was an avid hiker and loved the outdoors, which he enjoyed during his years spent in Maine and Colorado. He returned to Tennessee last year and went to work for Tennessee State Parks at Montgomery Bell.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Waynick, Sr.; maternal grandparents, Helen Malone and Jerry Malone; and paternal grandparents, June and Bill Waynick. He is survived by his mother, Nancy Waynick; siblings, Elizabeth (Eric) Pike, Roger Waynick, Jr., and Katie Waynick; niece, Annie Pike; aunt and uncle, Hope and Scott Stawski; and cousin, Henry Stawski.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 18 at Brentwood United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. Visitation with the family begins at 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Will’s memory to Home Street Home TN via Venmo @homestreethome or 413 Rockwood Drive, Hermitage, TN 37076.

September 18, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A kidnapping charge has been brought against the mother of a child who was reported missing last week which prompted a TBI Endangered Child alert.

28-year-old Sarah Tiana Harrison of Gainesboro was arrested Thursday by the Smithville Police Department on the kidnapping charge. Her bond is $18,000 and she will appear in DeKalb County General Sessions Court September 28.

According to the affidavit of complaint “On September 13, 2023 at approximately 1 p.m. Sarah Tiana Harrison did abduct Jameson Ferrell, her seven year old son from his home on West Broad Street in Smithville. Harrison does not have custody of Jameson and per court order is to have no contact with him. Full custody had been given to Jameson’s father David,” the complaint states.

Hours after the TBI Endangered Child Alert was issued for Jameson last week, an updated alert reported that Jameson had been found safe in Byrdstown.

The case was investigated by Lieutenant Detective James Cornelius of the Smithville Police Department.

September 18, 2023
By:

The Smithville Fire Department is teaming up with State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week™ campaign, “Cooking Safety Starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.” This year’s campaign, which runs Oct. 8-14, works to educate families about simple but important steps they can take to keep themselves and others safe.

NFPA quote: “Cooking fires are the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire injuries. This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign works to highlight when and where cooking fires happen most often, along with simple ways to minimize those risks,” said Lorraine Carli, VP of Outreach and Advocacy.

Smithville Fire Department and Smithville State Farm Agent Mallory Pfingstler encourage all residents to cook with caution. In support of those efforts, Pfingstler recently donated a Fire Prevention Week kit to the fire department, which includes home fire safety and prevention activities and information for children and adults.

“State Farm encourages homeowners to make fire prevention an important part of their overall home safety plan. Fire Prevention Week reminds that cooking with caution should be at the top of the list. This also is a good time to check your smoke alarms to ensure they are functioning,” said Pfingstler.

Smithville Fire Department shared the following cooking safety tips through this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign:

•Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove to prevent spills and burns.

•Always keep a lid nearby when cooking on the stove. If a small fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.

•Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

•If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

•Keep kids and pets 3 feet (1 m) from the stove/oven and where hot foods and liquids are being served.

•Watch what you heat. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

•Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

•Be alert. If you are tired or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove/oven.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay Attention to Fire Prevention.”, visit www.fpw.org.

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