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Sheldon, Iowa — Seventeen high school marching bands will converge on Orab Field Saturday for the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Band Contest.  Bands will be judged, and given ratings of Division I, II, III, IV or V, based upon their performance.  The event is open to the public, with admission set at $6 for adults and $3 for students.

Sheldon High School Band Director Cliff St. Clair tells us about the contest.

St. Clair says that concessions, including lunch, will be available on-site during the contest.

He says that, after the contest in Sheldon, the Marching Orabs, along with most of the other bands that will appear at Orab Field, will climb aboard buses and head south on Highway 60 to compete in a marching band competition in Orange City.

St. Clair says the forecast for Saturday promises great weather to come out and watch the contests.

The Iowa High School Music Association Northwest District Marching Band Contest begins at 9:30 Saturday morning at Orab Field.

Northwest Iowa — Area veterans may have an easier time accessing telemedicine providers thanks to a bill cosponsored by Iowa’s junior U.S. Senator, Joni Ernst.

Ernst says the legislation would be very helpful to disabled veterans, or veterans who live in rural areas.

She says the VETS Act would allow qualified health professionals to operate across state lines and conduct tele-heatlh services, including mental health care treatment for veterans.

Ernst says it’s particularly important for veterans in rural areas.

While Iowa is a rural state, Ernst says she isn’t sure how many veterans might need the service here.

The Veterans Administration health system has had a variety of issues and Ernst says there’s is still a lot to be done to solve them.

Ernst says she hopes this bill will pass and help with some of the issues veterans have with getting the proper care in a timely manner.

Ernst says the bill has bipartisan support along with lead co-sponsor, Democrat Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii. Ernst says tele-health reduced the number of days in a hospital for care by 54 percent and saves veterans on average two-thosuand dollars each year.

Northwest Iowa — October is Pork Month in the United States.

David Struthers, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association says that if you eat, you have a connection to a farmer every day. He says that October — Pork Month — is an opportunity to refresh the connection consumers have with farmers. He says the mission of farmers is to produce safe, nutritious food in a responsible manner for families across the United States and around the world.

We caught up with Lyon County Pork Producers President, Mike Ver Steeg in his combine, and he tells us that pork is a good choice.

October is a busy month with most farmers being in the thick of harvest. Ver Steeg says October became known as Pork Month because it marked the time of year when hogs were traditionally marketed.

He says that today, it serves as a celebration to thank pig farmers and share their stories with consumers. Ver Steeg says pork is very versatile.

That web site again is porkbeinspired.com Ver Steeg says that pork producers are committed to the ethical raising of pigs.

More information from the Iowa Pork Producers Association:

In 2008, pork producers adopted six We Care^SM ethical principles at the National Pork Industry Forum. The pork industry follows the six guiding ethical principles of the We Care initiative to maintain a safe, high-quality pork supply. Pig farmers are committed to:

• Producing safe food
• Safeguarding natural resources in all industry practices
• Providing a work environment that is safe and consistent with the industry’s other ethical principles
• Contributing to a better quality of life in communities
• Protecting and promoting animal well-being
• Ensuring practices to protect public health

“The ethical principles define our values and who we are,” said Struthers. “Consumers can be confident that the pork they eat was raised using these ethical principles.”