One good cost-cutting measure for the holidays is to purchase day-old baked goods from high-end bakeries to serve to family and friends.

Births BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL Chelsea Brown, of Battle Creek, a daughter. Billy and Caroline Clifford, of Kalamazoo, a daughter.

The big upswing in gas prices on Tuesday hadn't led to much of a downturn by Thursday morning.

Births BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL Jayson and Jamie Cardella, of Marcellus, a son.

It's been several weeks since the Gary Fields Comedy Club closed its doors in downtown Battle Creek.

Comic book creator Mark Crilley * WHEN: 7 p.m. today. * WHERE: Willard Library, 7 W. Van Buren St., Battle Creek.

Though homeless, Gary Fields Comedy Club shows haven't left the area. The veteran host of stand-up closed his downtown Battle Creek club in early October, citing rising costs and 'never-ending taxes.' However, Dave Simon, promoter for the Stagecoach Barn in Richland, announced today the Barn will host Fields comedy shows from 8 to 10 p.m. Nov.

Dr. Robert Simon, former chairman of emergency medicine at Chicago's Cook County Hospital, will give a talk titled ``Reducing Health Care Costs'' at the Thursday meeting of the Gull Lake Area Rotary.

It took a while, but the gas stations on West Main Street in Kalamazoo finally came down in their price for regular.

Albion College is pleased to announce that the following local students have been awarded Albion College scholarships in recognition of their superior academic achievements.

The event allows people to buy, sell or trade helmets, hats, medals, swords and other military relics.

Author visit: Tess Gerritsen WHEN: 7 to 8:30 p.m. today. WHERE: Burnham Brook, 200 W. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek.

A pedestrian was killed early Thursday after being struck by a vehicle east of Richland, authorities said.

A pedestrian was killed early Thursday after being struck by a vehicle east of Richland, authorities said.

A 67-year-old Munster, Ind., man was killed early today when he was struck by a pickup truck as he walked across M-89 near 38th Street in Kalamazoo County's Ross Township.

The results are from a new Fidelity Investments survey of 200 people in the Detroit area who had and had not experienced a layoff or early retirement in the last 18 months to gauge the impact on their behaviors.

Heavy with fruit, the branches of apple trees are hanging low to the ground at Midwest farms.

Special to the Kalamazoo Gazette RICHLAND - Unlike most potlucks, the Community Harvest Sampler planned for Oct.

The works of longtime local artists John Balks and Mary Large will be on display at three locations this week in conjunction with National Adult Day Services Week.

Author signing: Patricia Polacco WHEN: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. WHERE: Fireside Books, 1110 W. Michigan Ave., Marshall.