GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — The top prosecutor in Hall County has been named a district court judge in the 9th Judicial District.

Gov. Dave Heineman appointed Hall County Attorney Mark Young, of Grand Island, to the court bench. Young replaces Judge James Livingston, who retired in October.

A judicial nominating commission had forwarded the names of two others to the governor for his consideration: Thomas Klein, of Wahoo, and John Marsh, of Kearney.

The 9th Judicial District consists of Buffalo and Hall counties.