Dead body found hanging in Georgia school playground - and more Chattanooga region news

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. - Authorities in Central Georgia say the body of a 19-year-old man was found hanging in an elementary school playground.

Houston County Schools spokeswoman Beth McLaughlin said the body was discovered as children at Lake Joy Primary School were being led to recess on Monday. McLaughlin tells the Macon Telegraph it's unclear how many students saw the body and district officials will be in contact with parents.

Officials said children were kept from going outside while emergency responders investigated and removed the body from campus.

County Coroner Danny Galpin said an autopsy is scheduled for the man today and his identity hasn't been released.


Grandma cited for kids in car

ATLANTA - A grandmother was cited Monday morning for leaving a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old in her car, with the windows down and the doors unlocked, while she went into Whole Foods Market in Buckhead.

According to a police report, 63-year-old Marlene Denise Wood didn't seem to grasp "the possible consequences of her actions. Ms. Wood continually advised she had just run into the store to run an errand." She could not say how long she had been in the store.

She told the officer she had left the car seat for the younger child "unattached so if she was not back to the car in time he could get out."

It was around 76 degrees. One of the children complained of being hot so an ambulance was called; he was found to be unharmed.

She was cited for reckless conduct, but she was not taken to jail on the misdemeanor charge.


Man killed in gun battle

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Authorities say a man has been killed after exchanging gunfire with another man in the Booker Heights area of Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said the two men got into an argument which escalated to the gunfire shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday.

Deputies were called to the area after reports of gunshots and a man lying in the street. They found 20-year-old Charles David Thomas, of Booker Heights dead.

Deputies said they questioned a 19-year-old man, who was later released. Officials say evidence will be presented to the District Attorney's Office to consider what, if any, criminal charges will be filed.


New city schools open in Shelby

MEMPHIS - It's the first day of classes for new public school systems in six Memphis suburbs.

Classes began Monday in Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland and Millington.

After a federal court battle and the creation of a state law that cleared the way for the new school districts, suburban residents voted to start their own individual school systems in July 2013. They were seeking to avoid the consolidation of Memphis City Schools and the county's school system. The merged system existed for only the 2013-14 school year.

The new systems give Shelby County eight school districts. Along with the six suburbs, classes also began Monday for Shelby County Schools, which covers the city of Memphis and areas outside the suburbs, and the Achievement School District.

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