The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

OTTUMWA, IA -- The Ottumwa Blue Zones site visit is just around the corner. March 8 is the day the Blue Zones Committee has been preparing for.

The goal of the Blue Zones Project is to bring health awareness to all of Ottumwa’s citizens.

Thursday morning, the committee met to prepare and discuss the visit. They have been putting in long hours in hopes of Ottumwa becoming certified as a Blue Zones City.

“There’s 45 minutes on March 8 that all we do is present our community to them to sell ourselves to determine if we are already or not to implement the Blue Zones Project,” says Blue Zones Co-chair Lynelle Diers.

At the visit, each of the 14 sub-committees will be introduced to the visiting Blue Zones members.

“These meetings are very important so everyone is on the same page,” says Diers.

An introduction video was discussed at the meeting.  It will highlight Ottumwa’s citizens and everything the city has to offer.

The committee is confident that Ottumwa will be chosen.