20 YEARS AGO

DEC. 28, 2005

It was close, but in the end, Marion County voters determined that development of a multimillion-dollar casino-based business was not what they wanted. The vote was 2,577 for and 2,377 against, making it fail 52% to 48%.

The annual New Year’s Eve ball drop and fireworks will begin at 11:45 p.m. Saturday.

Cardie Oil Inc. of Tampa was sold Sept. 15 to Shawmar Oil and Gas Company of Marion. A feature story by Rowena Plett tells the history of the Tampa business that was operated for 66 years by the family of G.G. and Ruth Mueller.

The family of Jackie Hett met Dec. 20 at a Wichita motel for their annual Christmas celebration. This was their 19th year to celebrate.

The grand opening of St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shoppe, 404 E. Main St., Marion, will be 1:30 p.m. Dec. 30.

Beautiful weather and warm temperatures in the 50s Monday let children of all ages try out new toys they received for Christmas. Tyler Wildin and Bailey Shiplet are pictured trying out new electric scooters they received from Santa.