Updates from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 October 2017
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Here are some of the stories making the headlines in the Birmingham Mail:
Chanise Evans
BBC Online
Instagrammers from Coventry and Stoke-on-Trent have been showcasing their best pictures of the cities in their battle to become City of Culture 2021.
Photographers have been highlighting their favourite City of Culture snaps.
A man who died in a crash in Small Heath on Monday has been named by police as Imran Khan.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceThe 29-year-old's family said he had a "heart of gold" and would "move heaven and earth" for his two children.
Imran was driving a black Seat Leon which collided with a Peugeot before hitting three stationary vehicles on Heybarnes Road just before 20:00 on Monday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, while his 20-year-old male passenger suffered fractures to his pelvis and ribs.
A burst water main has flooded Lower Howsell Rd in Malvern.
The good news is that Severn Trent doesn't expect local residents to lose their water supply, external.
The firm said engineers were on site.
Image source, Severn TrentCity of Culture judges have been hosted by the team behind Coventry's bid to take the 2021 title.
The judges were taken to a number of venues, meeting community groups as well as city leaders.
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A roadside mannequin, which was removed by council contractors, has returned to warn drivers about the speed limit.
Balfour Beatty moved the model, nicknamed Betty Goslow from her spot in Aston Ingham, near Ross-on-Wye, because of fears she would distract drivers, rather than slow them down.
Image source, Julia AskewShe is now standing in the garden of the villager who came up with the idea, Julia Askew.
Quote MessageI'm going to put her back in my garden, which is literally a foot away from where she was before."
Julia Askew
Telford and Wrekin councillors will decide today whether to take part in a pilot scheme which would result in it receiving more money from business rates.
The council currently gets about half of the business rates collected in the area, but also receives government grants.
Image source, GoogleThe new scheme, if councillors agree to it, would mean the authority keeps 100% of the business rates it collects, but loses the grants.
The elderly man was returning to his car in a park and was punched to the floor.
Read MoreThe family of a man who died in a car crash in Bewdley have described him as a "rare diamond", who was "one in a million".
James Hammonds, 28, who was known as J and lived in Walsall, died when his Ford Fiesta was in collision with a BMW on Dowles Road on Friday morning.
Image source, GoogleHis parents say he loved his new job, his motorbike and his car.
A car-jacker who targeted a 90-year-old man in Birmingham and was later found to be in possession of a stun gun, has been jailed for nearly three years.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceMohammed Subhan, 19, of Solihull Lane, in Solihull attacked the pensioner, punching him to the floor and leaving him with cuts and bruises, police said.
The attack took place at Highbury Park in Moseley in March.
At Birmingham Crown Court on Monday he admitted robbery, possession of a stun gun, and aggravated vehicle taking and was jailed for 32 months.
An ambulance worker and a police officer give graphic descriptions of verbal and physical assaults by the public.
Read MoreA new book, telling the story of a Worcestershire man who was among the first British settlers to arrive in North America on the Mayflower in the 17th Century, has been published.
Edward Winslow, originally from Droitwich and educated at King's College in Worcester, was one of the pilgrim fathers who made the crossing in 1620.
He was one of the signatories of the Mayflower Compact (pictured below), effectively the first constitution written in what is now the USA.
Image source, Three Lions/Getty ImagesAuthor of The Mayflower Generation, Rebecca Fraser, said he also had a big role in bringing in investment from London and described the first thanksgiving meal.
Quote MessageHe was not only the agent to London for the colony, but he also wrote about the colony, so he took over from William Bradford and he wrote the reports of this new colony."
Rebecca Fraser, Author of The Mayflower Generation
A second man arrested after the murder of a teenager near a boxing venue in Walsall has been released on police bail.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceReagan Asbury, 19, died in hospital after being stabbed late on Saturday after a fight broke out at a bout attended by hundreds of fans.
Police say a 22 year-old from Derby has been bailed until next month on suspicion of assisting an offender.
AFC Telford United goalkeeper Jas Singh says other sides should fear their in-form strike force.
They've scored nine times in the last three games as Telford push for a play-off spot in the National North.
Image source, Tim RobertsTelford travel to bottom-side North Ferriby United on Saturday, who have scored only seven times in 13 games and conceded 32.
Quote MessageWith the firepower we've got at the moment and the confidence, it's a threat."
Jas Singh, AFC Telford United goalkeeper
A Sutton Coldfield man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his part in a plot to deal heroin and cocaine with a street value of £2.2m.
Image source, National Crime AgencyGuy Paget, 69, of Fledburgh Drive, was found guilty of conspiring to supply class A drugs at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday 17 October.
He was identified from supermarket CCTV in 2015 after buying a suitcase, bags and rubber gloves that were later linked to 20 blocks of heroin and 10 blocks of cocaine, worth about £2.2m.
The National Crime Agency said Paget, a "career criminal", had previously served two prison sentences for drug trafficking offences.
Three stories from the Stoke Sentinel today:
A £100,000 habitat for wading birds is being created near Upper Hulme, using money from the National Lottery and local fundraisers.
The Staffordshire Wildlife Trust says that area of the Staffordshire Moorlands could become important for birds such as Curlew, Lapwing and Snipes.
Image source, RSPBCoventry's Upper Precinct could be "totally transformed" under new plans proposed by city developers., external
Image source, Coventry City CouncilThe removal of an escalator and ramps in the area will allow a clear view of the cathedral spire, said the city council.
Empty upper floors of the West Orchards Shopping Centre could be turned into student accommodation.
Plans will be available to the public in Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre on Friday and Saturday.
BBC Sport
Crewe manager David Artell has told striker Jordan Bowery to be more aggressive on the pitch.
Bowery has scored twice in the last three games, helping his side to back-to-back home wins and Artell said "he's played in the Premier League, he's not rubbish".
Image source, Getty ImagesBut he's challenged the striker to fight for the ball more.
Quote MessageMy daughters are a bit too young yet, but if they brought him home I'd be delighted. He's a lovely fella, lovely looking, nice as pie. Want him to be a bit more aggressive on the pitch."
David Artell, Crewe Alexandra manager
Uttoxeter Racecourse in Staffordshire is marking its 110th birthday today.
It's first meeting was held in May 1907, with the second taking place on 17 and 18 October that year.
Image source, Getty ImagesToday, there are six races, starting at 14:30.
