Local/state briefs

 GRAND ISLAND

’America's Got Talent' personality to perform at fundraiser tonight

A finalist on the NBC show "America's Got Talent" is scheduled to perform in Grand Island this evening at a Special Olympics benefit.

Elvis impersonator Joseph Hall will perform at the old Walnut theater at 7 p.m. Proceeds will go to the local chapter of the Special Olympics, said Dave Davis, who manages fundraisers at the theater.

Hall, who is from Lincoln, is being flown to Nebraska by the producers of "America's Got Talent" for the event, Davis said.

Only a handful of the 500 tickets, which are $8 each, are still available, he said.



Hit man scam surfaces in Central Nebraska

The Nebraska State Patrol is urging citizens to be aware of a scam involving the extortion of money to prevent a "hit" or termination of the life of the recipient of the e-mail.

Investigators with the patrol in Grand Island say they have received several complaints regarding the so called "Hit Man" e-mail over the past few months.

The e-mail claims to come from someone who has been paid to terminate the life of the recipient. The sender offers to spare the recipients' life for a fee. The amount of the fee can vary, but is usually thousands of dollars. 

"This type of scam is devised to frighten the recipient into complying with the senders wishes," said investigator Jason Probasco. 

The e-mail insinuates the recipient is being watched. It warns the recipient not to contact anyone, including police, family or friends and to avoid going outside until the situation has been resolved. The sender then provides details on how payment of the money should be made.

"It is important to remember unsolicited e-mails can and often should be deleted without opening them," Probasco said. "It is recommended that anyone receiving an e-mail from an unidentified or unknown source to delete the e-mail unopened."

For additional information on scams and identity theft, visit the Nebraska attorney general's Web site at www.ago.state.ne.us or call the attorney general's Consumer Protection Division at (800) 727-6432.



Artists can show creative side at Sidewalk Chalk Festival

Artists of all ages are encouraged to hit the streets Saturday for Grand Island's Sidewalk Chalk Festival.

Professional grade chalk will be provided for those competing in the sidewalk chalk art competition. 

Registration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and is free to all participants. Three children's age divisions and adult amateur and professional contests will be offered.

The festival will be located on First Street, from the 100 to 300 blocks, and the community is invited to view and vote on the chalk artwork from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cash prizes for three children's age divisions and  adult amateur and professional contests will be awarded.



St. Francis Medical Center offers teen volunteer orientation

St. Francis Medical Center will host a teen volunteer orientation at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug, 23, in room SFMC-2 at 2620 W. Faidley Ave.

Any teen age 14 or older is invited to learn about volunteer opportunities available at St. Francis. Each year, teens volunteer approximately 2,500 hours of service to various departments around the hospital.

For more information, contact Christy Sullivan at 398-5564.



Activities and events needed for calendar of events

The Grand Island/Hall County Convention & Visitors Bureau calendar of events is being updated for the months of September through December. Those events or activities listed with the CVB by Friday will be included in the fall/winter edition of the Official Visitors Guide.

The Fall/Winter Official Visitors Guide will hit the stands on Sept. 1. The guide is distributed throughout Hall and surrounding counties. The guide can be found in visitor information racks throughout the state, Iowa and up to the Grand Maire on the Canadian border. The guide is sent with every request for information and provided in information packets for visitors and conference attendees.

Events included in the calendar of events should be something that would be of interest and open to the public and indicate if there is a fee to attend. Events from all Hall County communities are included in the calendar of events. All events are also listed in the calendar of events on the CVB Web site at www.visitgrandisland.com.

To have your event included in the fall/winter 2008 edition of the Official Visitors Guide, call the Hall County CVB at (308) 382-4400, or print off a calendar of event form at their Web site under "Submit an Event."



 HASTINGS

Rummage for Rover sale planned in Hastings

The annual Rummage for Rover yard sale will be Aug. 15 and 16 at the Adams County Fairgrounds. All proceeds from the sale go to the Heartland Pet Connection Animal Shelter.

 The Heartland Pet Connection is seeking donations of items to sell at the sale. This year, to add to the event, baby clothing through size 2T will be accepted. However large appliances, computers and building/electrical supplies will not be accepted.

Sale items can be taken to the Adams County Fairgrounds Aug. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. or Aug. 15 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The sale will run Aug. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. for a $5 fee and Aug. 16 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a special bag sale during the final hour.

For more information, call (402) 462-7387.



 PALMER

Palmer man killed in four-wheeler accident

A 67-year-old Palmer man died Monday as a result of a four-wheeler accident on his property.

Merrick County Sheriff Tony McPhillips said that Richard P. Chochon, 321 U Road, Palmer, was on his four-wheeler in a creek bed when the vehicle rolled over on him.

McPhillips said Chochon's body was discovered when he did not return home and neighbors went out looking for him.

Because there were no witnesses, no one knows for sure when the accident occurred, McPhillips said. However, the accident could have occurred at about 7:30 p.m. based on the time when Chochon left on his four-wheeler.

McPhillips said his office received a call for a coroner at 8:38 p.m. Monday.



RAVENNA

Motorist killed in collision east of Ravenna

Authorities are still investigating a traffic accident east of Ravenna that resulted in one fatality.

A motorcycle and pickup truck collided at the intersection of Navaho Road and Highway 2 at about 4:25 p.m. Wednesday, closing a section of the highway for four hours. Both vehicles were totaled, according to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office.

The driver of the motorcycle was transported from the scene by Ravenna ambulance to the Kearney Good Samaritan Hospital and pronounced dead shortly after.

The 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling eastbound on Highway 2 when it hit the 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck traveling southbound on Navaho Road.

Deputies were assisted by the Kearney Police Department, Ravenna Police Department, Ravenna Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, GSH paramedics, State Department of Roads and the Buffalo County Attorney's office.

The Kearney/ Buffalo County Fatality Accident Investigation Team were called to the scene.

The attorney's office has ordered an autopsy and will release names at a later time.