It’s less than a month now until Atlantic welcomes RAGBRAI on Sunday, July 24.  Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ann McCurdy says there is still a need for housing, especially for groups of individuals who will be making their way to our community. Here’s a sample of some of the groups who will be coming to town that weekend…

A 13 member Christian Bible study group from West Point, New York, traveling as married couples with one adult child. A flat area for the pop up camper would be ideal for these folks. They also prefer shower/toilet access.

A group of 13 traveling in a 15 passenger van with trailer seeks a bed for one couple, inside camping or yard camping, with shower and toilet access. The group has participated in RAGBRAI for 22 years. One member is the former Chief of Police in Des Moines. Members come from Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin.

A family group of 3 first time RAGBAI-ers who prefer yard camping. They are from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and range in age from 21 to 50.

A group of 11 from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, which includes 1 physician assistant, 3 nurses, 1 physical therapist, a French teacher, a financier , a retired computer engineer and a New Yorker. They look forward to getting to know the locals and cherishing the experience of what RAGBRAI is all about.  They will camp but would like shower and toilet access.

McCurdy says more than 1,500 people will be looking for yard space in Atlantic, so that may set up camp, have housing, and a place to wash-up.  If you are interested in housing one of these groups, please call the Chamber at 243.3017.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today encouraged Iowa hay and straw producers to register or update their listing on the Iowa Hay and Straw Directory.  The directory lists Iowa producers with hay and straw for sale, as well as organizations and businesses associated with promoting and marketing quality hay and straw. 

“This directory is designed to help both buyers and sellers by listing Iowa growers that have hay and straw and straw available,” Northey said.  “This directory has proven to be a valuable asset to Iowa farmers and encourage those that can use it to take full advantage of this resource.” 

The listing is available to interested buyers throughout the nation, however only sellers from within Iowa can be included on the list. 

Names are gathered throughout the year with added emphasis now that hay harvest has started. Sections within the Hay and Straw Directory include “Forage for Sale,” “Forage Auctions,” “Hay Associations,” “Forage Dealers,” “Hay Grinders” and “Custom Balers.” 

Farmers interested in listing should visit the Department’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov.  An application form can be found by going to the “Bureaus” link and then selecting “Agricultural Marketing.”  Then click on “Hay & Straw Directory” link at the bottom of the page.

A Red Oak man wanted on a Page County warrant was taken into custody Sunday afternoon, in Montgomery County. 20-year old Michael Eugene Sickels was wanted on a warrant for 2^nd degree theft.

Sickels was arrested at around 4-p.m. Sunday by Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies. He was subsequently turned over to the Page County Sheriff’s Department, and is being held in the Page County Jail, on $5,000 bond.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will meet during a regular session that begins 9-a.m., Wednesday, in Greenfield. The board will discuss and possibly act on issues including: taxable mileage; Fiscal Year 2011 Conservation wage increases; assigned FY 2012 Fund Balances, and, a Burial Relief Ordinance.

The Supervisors will also hold a public hearing at 9:30, over an ordinance pertaining to the Local Option Sales and Service Tax, along with consideration of the 2^nd & 3^rd readings of the ordinance. The board is then expected to pass a resolution establishing the Ordinance (26-A), and sign the ordinance into law.