An inmate who escaped from the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison this (Sunday) morning, was captured about 100 miles away, south of Geneseo, Illinois.

Justin James Kestner

The Department of Public Safety notified the facility of his capture after 10 a.m., the officer said.

Iowa Department of Corrections spokesperson Fred Scaletta says 25-year-old Justin Kestner had been last seen at 1:30 a.m. during the routine count of the inmates. He was discovered missing at 4:45 a.m. Kestner is serving a 10 year prison sentence stemming from a 2009 theft charge out of Woodbury County. He robbed a Sioux City convenience store.

(WQAD/Radio Iowa)

Police in Council Bluffs say a stray bullet fired from a distance during 4th of July celebrations late Saturday night apparently came down a struck a 7-year old boy in the shoulder. Authorities say officers were called to the 2600 block of Avenue J at around 10:30-p.m. Saturday, to assist medics who were treated the boy.

Upon arrival, officers established the 7-year old had been outside in his driveway watching the neighborhood fireworks with his grandparents when he began crying and complaining of something hitting him in the right shoulder area.  His grandmother noticed a small amount of blood and thought that a firework had struck him. She took him inside to clean him up and calm him down when she discovered a bullet had worked its way out of the wound.

The wound appeared to be about one-quarter of inch in diameter and depth on the child’s right clavicle.  The bullet is believed to be a .223 caliber round which had been fired into the air and came down on the child as he was watching fireworks.  Judging by the size and depth of the wound, authorities say they believe the round was fired into the air a good distance away and had slowed considerably prior to striking him.

The child was taken to the hospital by his grandparents where he was treated and released. The Council Bluffs Police Department is once again warning the public against shooting firearms into the air in a celebratory manner. If anyone has any information regarding this incident please contact Crime Stoppers at (712)328-STOP.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

HAMPTON, Iowa (AP) — Officials have issued a swimming advisory at a state park in Iowa because of higher than normal levels of E. coli. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that Beeds Lake State Park in Franklin County was placed under the advisories following recent water tests. The advisory means officials do not recommend swimming at the park until the bacteria levels are back to normal.

CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) — Filing a court claim in Iowa now only requires a computer. As of July 1st, Iowa courts have moved to a totally electronic, paperless filing system for records. Court documents can now be filed and viewed online. Mason City television station KIMT reports that the clerk of courts office in Floyd County calls the move a welcomed change.

CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) — A Coralville man has been arrested on suspicion of probation violation after an officer found a woman hiding inside a suitcase in his home. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that a probation officer was conducting a residence check at 29-year-old Ryan Ransom home on Wednesday.

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) — A University of Iowa police captain has been named Clear Lake’s new police chief. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that the Clear Lake City Council is set to appoint 45-year-old Pete Roth to the post on Monday. City Administrator Scott Flory says the hiring of Roth follows a four month recruitment process. Roth is expected to start as chief on August 3rd.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Police in Sioux City are urging people not to use a cellphone case that looks like a gun, saying the device could be confused for the real thing. Police Chief Doug Young tells the Sioux City Journal that the case could put people who carry it in danger.