An accident in Creston Saturday night resulted in $3,500 damage, but no one was injured. Authorities say a 2011 Chrysler Town and Country van was traveling east on West Adams Street at around 10:15-p.m., and had stopped because of traffic congestion at the intersection with North Lincoln Street, when the van was hit from behind by a 2010 Honda Insight.

The driver of the car, 27-year old Amanda Jean Putzier, of Creston, told authorities she didn’t notice the van, driven by 34-year old Corey Wayne Bisgard, of Ankeny, had stopped. The woman accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake when she got too close, the action of which resulted in the collision. There were no citations issued.

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.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s focus has traditionally been on food production, agriculture and natural resources but under the administration of President Barack Obama the USDA also has taken on a broader rural economic development role. The agency has funded energy projects, small business loans, upgrades to power lines and high speed internet.

Some don’t consider financial support for such rural development projects to be among the agency’s fundamental roles but Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack disagrees. Vilsack is now promoting newly available funding of up to $800,000 to support farmers markets and other local food initiatives.

The USDA since 2009 has invested $800 million in more than 29,000 local and regional food projects including investments in 1,000 local food projects in Iowa and 617 in Nebraska.

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.

Police in Council Bluffs are investigating an assault that left a man in critical condition, Friday night. Sgt. Mark Stuart with the Council Bluffs P-D said Saturday, officers responded to the vicinity of 10th and West Broadway Streets at around 10:30-p.m. to a report of an unconscious man lying in the middle of the street under the Broadway viaduct.

The male subject suffered severe injuries and was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.  The victim’s name is not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin.

The incident remains under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Council Bluffs Police Department. Anyone having information is encouraged to contact the Police Department at (712) 328-4728 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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