The first decade of the 21st Century ends this year. Because of that, the Eagle is publishing a look back at major events that occurred in the past 10 years. Each year will run in one day's edition. This is the third in this series and focuses on 2002.———The Butler County Commissioners officially decided to build a new prison.The decision came after multiple consultants produced many studies over several years. The decision was made to alleviate overcrowding problems at the prison on Vogely Street.The prison opened this past summer and the former prison will be torn down next year.———Patty Baur and Alve Bennett made a plea in September for information about the deaths of their teenage sons, Shaun Baur and Scott Fosnaught. The boys were found July 17 on Cashdollar Road.The police believed Fosnaught, who was found dead, was struck by a vehicle and died from those injuries. The cause of Baur's fractured skull remains a mystery.He was alive but unconscious when found. He died later at a Pittsburgh hospital.The case remains unsolved.———The grip of heroin grew tighter in Butler County with sharp increases in the number of overdose deaths and those treated for heroin addiction.Twelve people, ranging in age from 16 to 52, died of heroin related overdoses, according to the county coroner's office.Four heroin overdose deaths were reported in each of the previous three years before 2002.———Labor problems, store closings and increased taxes made the headlines along with development and growth.Troubles for businesses and employees included the loss of 100 jobs in a move by Magnetics, a division of Spang, to join its parent company in Allegheny County.Jobs also were lost in the closing of some of the county's larger retail stores such as Kmart, Ames and Phar-Mor.———Water woes hit northern Butler County residents in March with an announcement made by the state Department of Environmental Protection that water wells in Petrolia and the surrounding area were contaminated by hazardous wastes from plants in the Petroleum Valley.The contamination occurred through illegal dumping of wastes from the former Koppers and Witco plants in the 1950s and 1960s, the DEP said.More than 800 homes' and business' wells were affected.A public water system was built to serve those customers and solve the problem.———Butler County Community College hired a new president in the summer to replace President Fred Bartok.Cynthia Azari took the job Nov. 1, 2002.BC3 also dedicated its new Science, Technology and Cultural Center in August, which included a new theater.Slippery Rock University lost its president of five years when the State System of Higher Education board in December fired him.The firing followed a refusal by state board members in October to renew G. Warren Smith's contract.Provost Robert Smith was appointed acting president, and he later became the university's permanent president, still serving today.