Child taken into protective custody with fractured arm

A 10-month-old girl with a fractured arm has been taken into protective custody with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Grand Island police Capt. Robert Falldorf said officers were called to an apartment at 604 Sutherland because a child was unconscious and unresponsive. However, when police arrived, the child was conscious and alert, he said.

She was taken to St. Francis Medical Center because she had a bump on her head and red marks on her arm. X-rays revealed she had a fracture near her elbow and a fractured forearm on her right arm, she said.

Falldorf believed the baby-sitter called 911 at about 8:30 p.m. Monday. The child lives at the apartment with her parents, he said.

No one has been arrested and the matter remains under investigation. Police are looking into who inflicted the injuries, which aren't believed to be accidental, Falldorf said.

Man charged with four felonies for domestic assault

A Grand Island man was charged Wednesday with four felonies for stabbing and assaulting his estranged girlfriend.

Jose Martinez, 21, 1303 E. Seventh St., was charged in Hall County Court with second-degree domestic assault, terroristic threats and two counts of using a weapon to commit a felony for an April 1 incident involving Cindy Garcia.

Martinez was arrested at Garcia's apartment after he showed up at her door at about midnight, the two argued and he used a small paring knife to poke her in the arm, said Grand Island police Capt. Robert Falldorf.

Garcia also suffered bruising on her face and head from where Martinez kicked and hit her, Falldorf said.

Garcia refused medical treatment for her injuries, he said.

Martinez's bond was set at 10 percent of $250,000 and he was ordered not to have any contact with Garcia. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 19.

GIPD warns of bogus law enforcement telemarketing

The Grand Island Police Department has received several complaints from people who've been contacted by telemarketers seeking donations for law enforcement.

The solicitors, who are claiming to be Grand Island police officers, are refusing to provide a call back phone number or contact with a supervisor. They are often rude or use profanity, according to a press release from the Police Department.

The department doesn't solicit donations via telemarketing. These callers aren't members of the Police Department and don't represent the department, according to the release.

VeraSun, US BioEnergy finish merger

VeraSun Energy Corp. and US BioEnergy Corp. officially merged Tuesday after approval by both companies' shareholders.

The move was announced in a news release from VeraSun.

With the merger, VeraSun now owns and operates 10 ethanol plants with an annual capacity of 908 million gallons per year, including plants in Albion, Central City and Ord.

Seven other plants are under construction or development.

Under the merger agreement, each outstanding share of US BioEnergy common stock will be converted into 0.81 share of VeraSun common stock. VeraSun common stock will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "VSE."

The Ord and Central City ethanol plants had been owned by US BioEnergy under the names US Bio Ord and US Bio Platte Valley.

Adoption information meeting set for Monday

For those interested in international adoption, a free "How to Adopt" informational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the Grand Island Public Library.

Prospective parents can learn firsthand from families who have already adopted children from overseas. Social workers from Holt International, the largest international adoption agency in the United States, will speak and answer questions about the process involved.

Holt International offers step-by-step assistance through the international adoption process and includes helping families while in the country if they must travel.

For more information about the meeting, call Debra Stickney at (308) 440-6421.

City honored with governor's award

Burwell was given the Showcase Community Award by Gov. Dave Heineman last week.

The community and Burwell Economic Development were recognized for passing a local option sales tax, with some of the proceeds going toward economic develop- ment.

They were also commended for their revolving loan fund, community needs assessment survey, Leadership Plenty course, travel guide and funding of projects through federal, state and local programs.

Receiving the award on behalf of the city of Burwell and Burwell Economic Development were Mayor Rebecca SonDag, City Clerk Sandy Psota, Burwell Economic Development Director Lynn Franzen, economic development board members Dan Bird and Richard Bolli, and community member Terry Cone.

The award is presented annually to one community in the state that has identified community development goals and strategies and used local, state and federal resources to accomplish major projects in the community.