Region Digest: Free hunting on opening day of squirrel season

Free hunting on opening day of squirrel season

NASHVILLE - Tennessee residents may hunt without a license on Saturday, the opening day of squirrel season, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Free Hunting Day is an annual TWRA event to promote interest in hunting, a news release states. On that day, state residents don't need hunting licenses or wildlife management agency requirements, but must have completed a hunter education course. Many of those wildlife areas are open to hunters on Aug. 26. Check availability in the 2017-18 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide online at www.tnwildlife.org, at any TWRA regional office, or at most outlets where licenses are sold.

Squirrel season runs through Feb. 28, 2018. Hunters are allowed to harvest up to 10 squirrels a day. Year-round season also applies for armadillos, beavers, coyotes, groundhogs and striped skunks.

Officer seeks immunity in shooting

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A Montgomery police officer is seeking immunity from prosecution in a 2016 shooting death.

Circuit Judge Greg Griffin has scheduled a Sept. 19 hearing on the request by Officer Aaron Smith, who is charged with murder in the death of 58-year-old Greg Gunn. His trial is scheduled for October.

Defense lawyers argued Smith shot Gunn in self-defense and in his official capacity, and should be immune from prosecution.

The confrontation began when Smith stopped Gunn, who was walking through his neighborhood shortly after 3 a.m. Friends said Gunn was walking home and was killed near the house he shared with his mother. Defense lawyers said Smith stopped Gunn because he was acting suspiciously.

Senior care worker charged in death

ATLANTA - A worker at a Cobb County senior care facility was charged after a 91-year-old resident died from injuries suffered at the site, police said Friday.

Landon Terrel, 33, of Powder Springs, Ga., is facing felony murder and aggravated battery charges in Adam Bennett's death. Bennett was a patient at Sunrise at East Cobb and was taken to a hospital by ambulance. He died Friday, according to a police news release.

Hospital staff said Bennett "had injuries which were not consistent with what they were told," according to the release. "Detectives determined that the victim had been assaulted by a staff member at the care facility."

Police chief retiring

BRUNSWICK, Ga. -A veteran Georgia police chief is retiring after serving in the same department for more than three decades.

News outlets report Glynn County Police Chief Matt Doering confirmed he will leave his post in coastal Brunswick at the end of September.

Doering began his career with Glynn County police more than 33 years ago. He has served as chief since December 2003.

Doering called his police career "a joyous experience" and said he plans to "continue to serve our community as best I can."

As Glynn County police chief, Doering oversaw a department with a $10 million budget and 130 personnel, including 122 sworn police officers.

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