5 Things to Know Today: Jan. 4, 2012

1. The weather

The National Weather Service says we can expect a chance of flurries. Skies will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Wednesday night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

2. Gas prices

According to DetroitGasPrices.com, the lowest reported gasoline price in the White Lake area as of Tuesday night was $3.41 per gallon at the gas station.

3. On this day in history

According to History.com, on this day in 1999, for the first time since Charlemagne's reign in the ninth century, Europe was united with a common currency when the "euro" debuted as a financial unit in corporate and investment markets. Eleven European Union (EU) nations (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain), representing some 290 million people, launched the currency in the hopes of increasing European integration and economic growth. Closing at a robust 1.17 U.S. dollars on its first day, the euro promised to give the dollar a run for its money in the new global economy. Euro cash, decorated with architectural images, symbols of European unity and member-state motifs, went into circulation on January 1, 2002, replacing the Austrian schilling, Belgian franc, Finnish markka, French franc, German mark, Italian lira, Irish punt, Luxembourg franc, Netherlands guilder, Portugal escudo and Spanish peseta. A number of territories and non-EU nations including Monaco and Vatican City also adopted the euro.

4. In the news

Take our poll and let us know if you think the Lions can win in this week's Talk About Town.

5. 

Lakeland High School's spring musical is Footloose! Audition times are from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4 and Thursday, Jan. 5. Production team applications are due at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4. At the auditions/callbacks, be prepared to sing a song, read and do a dance you were taught the same day at the audition. Applications for cast and crew heads are in Miss Miller's room (A304) or our website: lakelandhighschooldrama.weebly.com.