Good morning, Battle Creek.

Mike Morse Law Firm will offer free Uber vouchers this New Year's Eve to help residents have a safe ride home.

Vouchers worth $20 off rides are available online from Dec. 26 through Dec. 31 and rides must be taken between 5 p.m. Dec. 31 and 5 a.m. Jan. 1.

Shoppers in Battle Creek should check return policies carefully as major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Macy's now offer shorter return windows and added fees for holiday items (gift receipts and original packaging are key).

Gas prices statewide average $2.73 a gallon today, down 12¢ from last week and 43¢ from last month, with Calhoun County at $2.67 (Ann Arbor rates reach $2.87 while Traverse City shows $2.54).

Engineers and trades workers in Emmett Township were honored today for the Verona Road Watermain Extension that supplies 5 million gallons daily to Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park, saves about $13 million, and earned the 2025 Public Works Project of the Year award from the Southwest Michigan Branch of the APWA.

Michigan beneficiaries with end-of-month birthdays will receive their December Social Security check on Wednesday, Dec.

24 (the final payment before a 2.8% cost-of-living increase takes effect in January) according to the Social Security Administration.

E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. shared fire safety tips to help Battle Creek families protect their homes this holiday season by advising them to keep candles 1 foot from flammable items, water Christmas trees daily, and plug space heaters directly into wall outlets * ensuring safety.