As 2011 comes to a close, Patch is taking the next week to look back and reflect on the events that shaped the last 12 months.

What were the biggest moments for you? How did they change your neighborhood? Tell us in the comments.

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Here are five stories that stood out in January:

Jan. 1: Dundalk Woman Delivers First Baby at Franklin Square

Shelbi Hines of Dundalk delivered the first baby of 2011 at Franklin Square Hospital Center.

Shane Michael Williams Jr.  was born at 6:28 a.m. on New Year’s Day following a C-section. Shane weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces and was 21-3/4 inches long at birth.

Jan 5: Girl Killed by Train Gone But Not Forgotten

About 200 friends and family gathered for a candlelight vigil to mark the one-year anniversary of Anna Marie Stickel’s death.

The 14-year-old was killed in 2010 after she was struck by a train while walking to Kenwood High School. Her death led Amtrak to spend $3.1 million for heavy-duty fencing along the area where Anne Marie was killed in hopes of avoiding another tragedy.

Jan. 7: Middle River Man Shot Himself with AK-47 After Failed Home Invasion

A Middle River shot himself after attempting a home invasion robbery on Jan. 7 in Glen Arm against people he knew.

Robert Buss, 35, of the 9700 block of Bird River Road in Middle River, was a customer at a business owned by Aubrey Alvano. Police believe Buss has his hair cut at an Essex business owned by Alvano and her husband, Buss attempted to invade her the Alvano’s but was chased from the home from Aubrey Alvano, who had a gun of her own.

Jan. 19: Volunteer Firefighter Mark Falkenhan Killed Battling Apartment Fire

Lutherville Volunteer Firefighter Mark Falkenhan, 43, died after fighting a four-alarm fire in a three-story Hillendale apartment complex.

The Middle River native became the first firefighter in Baltimore County to die in the line of duty fighting a fire since 1984, officials said. About 3,000 people from across the country came out to pay their respects at his funeral

Jan. 26: Snow Blankets the Region

Schools were closed for several days and more than 100,000 BGE customers lost power as one of many winter storms hit the region.