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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
- Fort Walton Beach’s retail landscape shifts as JOANN announces its closure and Murphy USA plans a new station at the former newspaper site. Meanwhile, local dancers shine with Choctaw claiming a state title and Fort Walton Beach heading to nationals.
- The SS United States gets a new departure date, and students prepare for the College and Career Fair while Niceville-Valparaiso Kiwanis earns international recognition.
COASTAL RESOURCES
Okaloosa announces new departure date for SS United States
After a brief delay, America’s fastest ocean liner is now scheduled to begin its historic final journey next week, marking the start of its transformation into the world’s largest artificial reef.
- Okaloosa County officials announced today that the SS United States will begin its departure from Philadelphia on February 17, following a short move between piers later this week. The announcement comes after an earlier postponement to address additional U.S. Coast Guard requirements for the towing operation.
The 990-foot vessel will first relocate from Pier 82 to Pier 80 during high tide on Friday, February 14, at 2:47 p.m. The ship will then begin its journey down the Delaware River on Monday, February 17, timing its departure with the low tide at 11:18 a.m.
The two-week journey to Mobile, Alabama, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the historic liner, which has been docked in Philadelphia since 1996.
- In Mobile, contractors will spend approximately 12 months preparing the vessel for its new role as an artificial reef, removing hazardous materials and making modifications to ensure it will rest upright on the seafloor.
“As the World’s Largest Artificial Reef, the story of the SS United States will be told to thousands of divers from around the world as they explore her unique design and features,” said county officials. The ship will be deployed approximately 20 nautical miles south of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area, surpassing the USS Oriskany, an 888-foot aircraft carrier sunk off Pensacola in 2006, as the world’s largest artificial reef.
The project aims to create a thriving marine habitat while preserving the legacy of this historic vessel, which still holds the transatlantic speed record set during its maiden voyage in 1952.
- The ship’s conversion is expected to attract diverse marine life, from red snapper to wahoo, creating new opportunities for both fishing and diving activities in the region.
To maintain the ship’s historical significance, Okaloosa County will partner with the SS United States Conservancy to develop a land-based museum. The museum will feature iconic components salvaged from the ship, including its distinctive funnels and radar mast, along with the Conservancy’s extensive collection of artifacts and archives.
The public can follow the ship’s journey through GPS tracking available on the Destin-Fort Walton Beach website once the movement operations begin.
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SCHOOL
Okaloosa School District to host fifth annual ‘College and Career Fair’
by Ashley Armacost
The Okaloosa County School District and the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation will host two college and career fairs during school hours on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
- Businesses and organizations throughout Okaloosa County will come together to provide information on post-graduation employment opportunities, higher education and military service to students in attendance.
This event gives students an opportunity to hear informative presentations that address interview skills, resume building and more. Students are also able to complete a unique interest inventory that identifies careers suited for them.
Juniors and seniors from Choctawhatchee, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville high schools can register and attend at Beachside Community Church at 200 Racetrack Rd. NW, Fort Walton Beach. Students can register through links provided by their schools.
Sessions:
- 8 am – 10 am: Fort Walton Beach and Niceville Students (Breakfast Provided)
- 11 am – 1 pm: Choctawhatchee Students (Lunch Provided)
The College and Career Fair is not designed to be a ‘drop-in style’ event, according to the OCSD. Students should plan to stay for the entire free Session. Attendees will have the chance to win prizes and gift cards. Students are responsible for their own transportation and registration is required.
Crestview High School is hosting their own career fair on March 7, 2025 from 9 a.m. to noon located in the new multipurpose building. This fair will be open to high school juniors and seniors from Baker, Crestview and Laurel Hill.
Local businesses still have the opportunity to participate in the OPSF College and Career Fair. Vendors wishing to participate can click here for more details. Vendors for the Crestview High event may contact olivia.taylor@okaloosaschools.com.
SCHOOL
Fort Walton Beach Stars Dance Team heads to national championship
The Fort Walton Beach High School Stars Dance Team departed Wednesday for the National Dance Alliance (NDA) high school national championship in Orlando, Florida, with a celebratory send-off from local first responders, students, and parents.
- Fort Walton Beach Police Department provided an escort for the team’s departure, while Fire Department crews sprayed water down from above as the bus drove beneath. Parents and students gathered outside the school’s new multi-purpose facility to wish the team well on their journey.
“It’s been a great year and we’ve had a lot of fun,” said head coach Erin Longo, who is in her 11th year leading the program. “There’s a lot of new young energy on the team. This freshman batch that came in bring a lot of fun energy. I think it’s almost re-energized the upperclassmen.”
The 27-member team has embraced a shift in their performance style this year, moving toward more fluid movements in their large varsity hip-hop routine. The change has paid off, with the team seeing higher regional scores in authenticity and staging compared to previous years.
- “We have tapped into a little bit more fluid movement. There’s more of a lyrical-vibe going on this year versus the hard hitting, aggressive hip hop style we have normally done,” Longo said.
For Longo, who was once a member of the Stars dance program as a student at Fort Walton Beach High School, the program holds special significance. “This was the program that I was a part of when I went to school here. So it’s deeper for me. It means a lot more. I’m truly invested in the legacy of this program,” she said.
The team has shown exceptional dedication this season, with every team member, including alternates, performing the competition routine at a basketball game – a first in Longo’s coaching tenure.
“We haven’t had this type of work ethic as a whole with every single team member stepping up,” Longo said. “It speaks for just the character of the kids that are on the team this year.”
GIVING BACK
Niceville-Valparaiso Kiwanis Club earns distinguished status
The Niceville-Valparaiso Kiwanis Club has been named a Distinguished Club by Kiwanis International for the 2023-2024 year for its community service work and leadership.
- The recognition highlights the club’s initiatives supporting various children’s organizations, including college scholarships, Children in Crisis, Children’s Advocacy Center, Studer Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart, and Sharing and Caring.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition,” said Dr. Bo Arnold, president of the Niceville-Valparaiso Kiwanis Club. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our members, who continuously strive to make a positive impact on our community.”
David Kerr, who served as club president during the 2023-24 year, said, “This achievement reflects the strong spirit of service in our club. We are proud to be part of a global organization that is committed to changing the world one child and one community at a time.”
The club, which is celebrating its 50th year, was founded in 1975. It focuses on projects supporting education, child welfare, and community engagement through partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, and other organizations.
- Kiwanis International selects Distinguished Clubs annually based on service projects, growth, leadership development, and overall impact. The organization has clubs in more than 80 countries.
The Niceville-Valparaiso club is seeking new members. Those interested in joining can visit Niceville-kiwanis.com for more information.
SPORTS
Choctawhatchee Dance Team claims state title in Small Varsity Pom Division
The Choctawhatchee High School Indianettes Dance Team added another trophy to their collection, winning the 2025 Universal Dance Association (UDA) Florida Championships in the Small Varsity Pom Division.
- The victory marks a return to form for the team in this division, where they last claimed the title in 2020.
The 12-member squad, led by Coach Dee Dee Shank, has maintained their competitive edge with back-to-back state championships in the Small Varsity Game Day Division in 2023 and 2024.
At a February 10 school board meeting, Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised the team’s dedication. “It’s about the summertime. It’s about the heat. It’s about the sweat, the tears, the struggle. It’s about when things didn’t go right, you didn’t quit,” Chambers said.
Athletic Director Andy Thigpen highlighted the team’s commitment beyond competition. “They are probably the most engaged, practiced individuals, hardest workers that are probably in the school. The hours they put in are unbelievable,” Thigpen said.
- The championship team includes Vladilynn Carbonel, Lucy Carroll, Ann Elise England, Ella Evans, Katherine Evans, Addison Millhouse, Khameela Layco-Mitchell, Nevaeh O’Neal, Denise Slaton, Alyssa Vinson, and Kassidy Williams.
Coach Shank noted that with only two seniors on the current roster, the future looks promising. “It is a really special group of girls. There are only two seniors in this group. It’s very promising for the next year and years to come,” she said.
BUSINESS
JOANN store in Fort Walton Beach slated to close amid bankruptcy
Fabric and craft retailer JOANN plans to close its Fort Walton Beach location at 224B Eglin Parkway NE as part of a larger restructuring that will shutter approximately 500 stores nationwide, according to new documents.
- The company filed a motion on February 12 seeking court authority to begin the store closures, following its January 15 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
The retailer says right-sizing its store footprint is crucial for ensuring the company’s future. The Fort Walton Beach location is among hundreds listed in court documents for closure, though no specific timeline has been announced.
“The last several years have presented significant and lasting challenges in the retail environment, which, coupled with our current financial position and constrained inventory levels, forced us to take this step,” said Michael Prendergast, Interim Chief Executive Officer of JOANN, in a statement.
During the restructuring process, the company says stores and JOANN.com will remain open, with employees continuing to receive pay and benefits. Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, LLC is serving as the “stalking horse” bidder in the court-supervised sale process.
JOANN has operated for more than 80 years, growing from a single Cleveland storefront into a national chain with over 800 stores across 49 states. The company says it remains committed to serving its customer base of sewists, quilters, crocheters and crafters throughout the restructuring.
COMING SOON
Murphy USA to build new gas station at former Fort Walton Beach newspaper site
A new Murphy USA convenience store and gas station is coming to the former Northwest Florida Daily News property in downtown Fort Walton Beach.
- The project, located at 10 Eglin Parkway NE, will include a convenience store with an attached fuel station canopy. The site will undergo complete redevelopment, according to permit applications filed with the City of Fort Walton Beach.
The 1.22-acre property will be transformed from its previous use as a newspaper office into a convenience store and fueling station. The project includes full site improvements with associated utilities.
Before demolition began this week, crews from Fort Walton Beach Fire Department, Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District and the Okaloosa Island Fire Department performed training exercises in the old building.
“It’s great to have real buildings to train on,” said Fort Walton Beach Fire Chief Jeremy Morgan. “It’s an opportunity to practice some firefighting techniques, like forcible entry through doors, without having to worry about destroying property.”
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