JACKSON, Miss. – Donnie Register has a new reason to be thankful he’s married – police say his wedding band deflected a bullet and probably saved his life.

Two men walked into Register’s shop at The Antique Market on Saturday and asked to see a coin collection, police Sgt. Jeffery Scott said.

When Register retrieved the collection, one of the men pulled a gun and demanded money. A shot was fired as Register threw up his left hand, and his wedding ring deflected the bullet, police said.

“The bullet managed to go through two of his fingers without severing the bone,” said his wife, Darlene Register. “A part of the bullet broke off and is in his middle finger. The other part is in his neck, lodged in the muscle tissue. But it’s not life-threatening.”

She said she gives God all the credit.

Police were searching for the robbers, who Scott said “stole a substantial amount of cash.”

Mich. town may allow hens to be kept outside in yards

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – People who want fresh eggs should be able to keep their own hens around the house or yard, even in this college town, a city councilman said.

Stephen Kunselman said a number of business people and residents support the idea and said he plans to bring a resolution before the council.

Many communities allow chickens but not roosters, which can make a lot of noise at dawn, Kunselman said. He said regulations typically require a 25-foot setback from other homes to avoid disturbing neighbors.

The chicken talk enlivened Saturday’s council retreat in the hometown of the University of Michigan.

“What’s with the chickens?” Councilman Stephen Rapundalo asked Kunselman.

“Chickens lay eggs,” Kunselman said. “I want fresh eggs. It’s just a simple ordinance change.”

From Associated Press reports