DETROIT, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State University is working with Detroit Mayor Dave Bing’s office on plans for an urban agriculture facility that could lead to new companies and jobs.

Bing said the MetroFoodPlus Innovation Cluster at Detroit could help “redefine metropolitan food and agriculture for the 21st century.” The Detroit Free Press said a large working farm could be part of the program. Empty buildings also may be turned into multi-level farms.

The East Lansing-based school is providing a three-year, $1.5 million commitment and faculty for the project. Backers say it’s expected to develop the city as a world center for urban food systems technology. The project will use vacant property and land in Detroit, and backers will solicit money to build the facility.

AUBURN, Ind. (AP) — More Fourth of July fireworks shows across Indiana are being called off because of the state’s drought conditions.

Fire department officials are asking people to refrain from shooting off fireworks on their own and the safety of many community shows are under review. Auburn Kiwanis Club President Lauren Wagner told The Star of Auburn it decided to cancel its July 5 show in the northeastern Indiana city because it wasn’t worth the safety risk.

Shows in the nearby communities of Lake James and Kendallville were still scheduled at press time, since their fireworks are shot over water. The show in the town of Delphi near Lafayette also is canceled. Chamber of Commerce President Dale Seward told WLFI-TV the fireworks company will use the payments toward this year’s show for the 2013 event.

Further south, in Tennessee, State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak encouraged residents to leave fireworks to the experts. “To avoid the risk of injury and property damage associated with consumer fireworks, join other community members in attending a public display put on by trained and licensed professionals,” she said.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Victims scammed by the now-defunct Eastern Livestock Co. are splitting another $300,000 in restitution.

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway said 170 checks were sent out to farmers two weeks ago to reimburse people who lost money in the check-kiting scheme. The total victim restitution paid now stands at $600,000.

Metcalfe County Circuit Judge Phil Patton on June 26 sentenced the former Eastern CEO, 71-year-old Thomas Gibson, to 10 years in prison. Gibson, the founder of the New Albany, Ind.-based company, also faces a federal mail fraud charge.

Gibson and former chief financial officer Steve McDonald pled guilty in March to criminal syndication and 172 counts of complicity to theft by deception. McDonald was previously sentenced to 10 years. Two other former executives were ordered to make restitution of $890,000.

REMSEN, Iowa (AP) — A 17-year-old girl has been hospitalized after she was injured in an accident on a northwestern Iowa farm.

Authorities said the accident occurred around 3 p.m. June 25 about three miles northeast of Remsen. The girl was pinned between a gate and some hay bales that were being moved by a skid loader.

She’d been freed before an ambulance arrived. She was taken to Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars. Authorities said her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. Her name and other details about the accident have not been released.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man has died in an ATV accident on a farm near Holly Springs in western Iowa.

The Woodbury County sheriff’s office said 81-year-old Theodore Ericksen, of Sergeant Bluff, died the night of June 26. Officials said Ericksen was doing chores when he went down an embankment covered by tall weeds and the all-terrain vehicle rolled.

DACULA, Ga. (AP) — University of Georgia researchers say toxic algae killed four cows on a farm in metro Atlanta.

The researchers determined toxic algae was found in a pond at the farm in the Dacula area, northeast of Atlanta. The deaths occurred in May and June. UGA researchers said above-average temperatures and an influx of nutrients from the surrounding pasture helped to create the algae bloom that killed the cows.

The university said in a statement property owners should be vigilant about keeping livestock and pets out of water that has become discolored or opaque.