As 2002 was washes away in a waterfall of confetti and the new year springs forth with a pop of the champagne bottle, people everywhere faced both the memories of the past and the promises of the future.

It has been an eventful year for Americans, from the war on terrorism to expansion and growth on the homefront.

Alabamians have witnessed the closest gubernatorial race the state has ever seen.

Shelby County residents have sent many of their loved ones around the world to fight the war on terrorism.

They have also seen the Shelby County EMA work diligently to prepare for any and all disasters from tornadoes to the continuing threat of biological warfare.

The county continued to grow at lightning pace in 2002 with no signs of slowing down over the next 12 months.

Healthcare services expanded within the county with the addition of the women’s center at Shelby Baptist Medical Center as well as the continuing construction of its new parking deck.

Some events made us proud; some made us mad; others shocked us or simply made us laugh.

We paraded, planned, protested, celebrated and every moment of the way &045; we lived.

The Shelby County Reporter has worked hard to provide coverage of the events which have impacted us, both locally and nationally, during the past year.

We pledge to continue that coverage in 2003