30 years ago

march 27, 1996

At a special meeting March 20, the board of education voted 4-3 to build a junior high school addition to Marion High School. Fifth and sixth grades will move to Florence Middle School.

Chris Costello, Dan Holub, Don Kraus, and Janice Waner voted for the motion. Rex Savage, Doug Sharp, and Kay Tajchman voted against.

Van’s Department Store celebrates its 50th anniversary this week. Van’s moved to its current location in 1951 It was built new on a lot cleared after a fire. The store had the first-ever display mannequin in Marion.

Florence Middle School students Ashley DeForest, Mark Hanson, Jessica Moore, Kyle Ramsey, and Jess Whiteman recently were selected incentive winners for having good grades and perfect attendance and meeting other requirements.

Jay and Judy Smith have purchased Gambino’s of Marion. Judy has been with the restaurant for six years, the past three as manager. The Smiths say their base of loyal customers made the purchase a good opportunity for them.

Marion High School’s FFA chapter will be painting house numbers on curbs to increase visibility and speed emergency response times. The project will begin Friday.

About a dozen Marion Chamber of Commerce businesses are participating in an Easter promotion this year. Grand prize is $115 in gift certificates good at any chamber business.