Welcome to the site!
With regards to your problem, what's happening to the shifter? Does it work like it should?
When your key gets stuck in the ignition there is a plug you can pull out of a hole on the bottom of the steering column and insert a small screw driver. You will cause the lock cylinder to rotate to the "off" position so you can get your key out. This is part of the shift interlock system.
I would start by pulling your console out and looking for a wire that is broken/loose on the shift interlock connector. I just repaired mine on my '98 so a lot of this is still fresh.
