Today marks the final day of 2015. Locally, it’s been a pretty good year, unless you work in the oil business.

The price of oil stayed at low levels all year prompting most of the previously hot oil exploration to our south to rapidly cool, then freeze.

For those unaffected by the oil exploration industry, the drop has resulted in low prices at the gas pump.

As we close out this year tonight with celebrations, we urge everyone to realize smart decisions made tonight will allow you to see another year, while dumb decisions can make 2015 end on a sour, even deadly note.

Celebrations tonight are intended to be fun, but we encourage everyone to realize a few of the laws put in place are meant for our own safety.

If you live in the city limits of Natchez and Vidalia, you may be fined for lighting fireworks within the city limits. A professional show — which costs thousands of dollars — will be presented over the Mississippi River tonight so personal fireworks shows aren’t necessary.

In addition, law enforcement officers expect to be out in full force looking for people who make poor decisions and get behind the wheel of a car after drinking.

Be smart, and let’s have fun tonight, but let’s make sure we all safely wake up in one piece on the morning of Jan. 1, 2016.

We hope you have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve. Have fun, but be smart.