Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Police, city officials and a former employer are warning the public about an alleged scam artist in Council Bluffs. According to the Daily NonPareil, 39-year old James Urso, also known as “James Fetter,” has left a trail of unhappy customers throughout the country, often times taking money up front for work he fails to complete.

James Urso, AKA “James Fetter.”

Officials in Council Bluffs say he’s likely doing the work there, to pay restitution to victims allegedly scammed elsewhere. In April, Ohio’s Attorney General announced the indictment of James Urso on felony theft charges relating to his home improvement businesses.

Urso, of Mt. Gilead, OH, operated companies under the names Help Point Restoration LLC and ZunCare Restoration LLC. The indictment alleges that in 2011 and 2012, Urso took nearly $22,000 from four homeowners for roof replacement and other repairs but failed to perform the work, deliver the materials, or provide a refund.

In December 2012, the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section filed a civil lawsuit against Urso and his companies, for violations of Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act. As a result of the lawsuit, Urso was ordered to pay more than $52,800 in consumer restitution and civil penalties to the state of Ohio.  On April 29th, a warrant was issued for Urso’s arrest in Ohio. The felony warrant charged him with 5th degree theft and 4th degree Theft/Theft from an Elderly person.

Urso plead guilty to the charges earlier this month. He’s scheduled to appear in an Ohio court on Oct. 2nd for a disposition hearing. He’s also been charged in Kentucky, Colorado and Oklahoma.

Anyone in the area who’s had money stolen by a contractor is asked to call police at (712) 328-5737.

The Iowa State Patrol says one person was injured during a single-vehicle accident Sunday night on Interstate 29, in Pottawattamie County. 45-year old Bruce Allen Cornwall, of St. Clairsville, OH, was transported by Lewis Township Fire and Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, after the pickup he was driving went out of control and hit a bridge guardrail.

Officials say Cornwall’s 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup was traveling north on I-29 just after 10-p.m., when the truck crossed into the left lane. Cornwall over-corrected, sending the vehicle spinning clockwise into the right lane. When the driver’s side of the vehicle hit a bridge guardrail at the 45-mile marker, Cornwall was ejected out the left side window of the pickup and landed in the east ditch. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Alcohol was found at the scene and is believed to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet Monday night (8/25), at the high school. During the work session, which begins at 7:30, the Board will discuss several matters. Among them: School Improvement plans; A review of programs at the Cass County Educational Opportunity Center (CCEOC) and the Link Center; A review of the SAM (School Administration Management) Program, and, Board and Superintendent goals.

The meeting takes place in the High School Media Center.

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Board is set to meet Monday evening (Aug. 25), at City Hall. During their 5:15-p.m. session, the Board will receive updates on the Summer Rec Program, Capital Projects, and Boy Scout Cabin. Old business includes a policy on donors and/or sponsors placing names on park buildings.

In his report to the Board, Director Roger Herring will talk about graffiti on the playground equipment at Pellett Park, and, this coming weekend’s two-day Disc Golf Tournament at Sunnyside Park. Herring says last year, people from five states were in Atlantic for the tournament, which was spearheaded by Frank Saddlemire.

DENISON, Iowa (AP) — A northwest Iowa firm is prospering by creating concrete security barriers for government buildings and other projects. The Sioux City Journal reports Petersen Manufacturing’s custom-made concrete planters and benches help keep office buildings and theme parks nationwide safe.

The company began nearly 101 years ago when founder L.T. Petersen invented an automatic livestock watering appliance that was popular with farmers and feedlots. During the farm crisis of the 1980s, the company developed more picnic tables, benches and planters. Those products helped make the company a preferred supplier of concrete security products after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Sales manager Paul Schumacher says the company has developed ways to make the concrete barriers more attractive. And in recent years, there has been renewed interest in the company’s livestock waterers.