25 years ago (week of Dec. 20-26, 1970)
It was announced that Columbia's new Call-A-Ride (CAR) service was ready to roll. Residents would simply dial a central dispatch number and state their pickup and destination points. Residents could be driven between any two points in Columbia for 25 cents per ride.
Columbia Medical Plan announced that it would be raising its premium rates in the new year. The monthly premium for a family of three or more would be $51, up from $43.50.
50 years ago (week of Dec. 23-29, 1945)
A year-end prediction was made of a 1946 home-improvement boom for Howard County. Most of the county's 4,068 dwellings were in need of repair or remodeling after the wartime shortage of manpower and materials. Kitchen and bathroom improvements were at the top of most people's wish lists.
