In about a month and a half since Norton Patch launched, there has been plenty of news in town. Looking back at the abbreviated year, Patch compiled the top stories of 2010.

Rather than picking which news events were the most important or had the most impact, however, we allowed the readers to do the picking for us. The following stories were the most read stories, according to the page views tracked at Patch headquarters:

10.) Norton Girl To Show Off Flair For Writing During First Night- Dec. 31

As soon as First Night chairman Brian Coughlin spoke to Lily Holloway's fourth grade class about Norton Has Talent, the 9 year old knew she wanted to be involved.

9.) Norton Patch VIP Of The Week: Richard Gomes- Dec. 18

As a veteran of almost 40 years with his hometown department, you'd think Norton Fire Chief Richard Gomes would have been a little bit squeamish at some point about the idea of running into a burning building to save the lives of people who were high-tailing it the other way. But that's just not the case for Gomes, 56, the town's third fire chief ever.

8.) Police Respond To Five Accidents During The Season's First Snow Storm- Dec. 27

Norton received more than a foot of snow over the past 24 hours, but police only responded to five minor accidents during the 12 to 8 a.m. shift. There have been none since then, as of 5 p.m. today, probably because people stayed home. Fallen limbs caused two of the accidents.

7.) Norton Fire, Police And Bomb Squad Respond To Report Of Suspicious Package- Dec. 7

At 1 p.m. on Dec. 7, Norton Police and Fire Departments and Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad and the State Fire Marshall's Office responded to Wheaton College for a report of a suspicious device.

6.) VIDEO: Norton Boy To Showcase Musical Skills During Norton Has Talent- Dec. 31

Already a budding musician at age 10, playing guitar and singing various times for school, Derek Martin plans on becoming much more. "Becoming famous is my biggest dream," he said. Just one more step in achieving this goal, Derek performed in Norton Has Talent, part of the town's First Night celebration Dec. 31. Derek played his guitar and sang songs, one of which is a special tribute to Norton.

5.) Despite Breaking School Records, Lancers Swimming Falls To Hopkinton- Dec. 13

The Norton Lancers boys and girls swim team hosted Hopkinton Friday at Wheaton College earlier this season. In a struggle against the 2010 Tri-Valley League champions, Lancers lost to the Hillers, 75-88.

4.) Yes – Norton's 300th Is A Big Deal- Dec. 31

Columnist Bill Gouveia writes about the excitement attached to celebrating Norton's Tri-Centennial and First Night. 

3.) Road Rage Suspect Arrested In Norton- Dec. 19

On Dec. 18, at approximately 1 p.m., Norton police received a report of a possible road rage incident. The victim stated that he was traveling into Norton from Easton on E. Main Street, when a gray Chevrolet Blazer was operating erratically behind him. The suspect vehicle passed him on E. Main Street and came to stop, forcing the victim's vehicle to stop as well. The suspect exited the vehicle, approached his vehicle and began arguing with him, waving a knife. The victim said that the operator then got back into his vehicle and drove away. The victim had two other occupants in the vehicle with him.

2.) Chief May Roll Them, But They Are Our Dice- Dec. 8

Columnist Bill Gouveia responds to a letter written in to a local newspaper, adding some controversy to the site concerning Norton Fire Chief Richard Gomes' decision to temporarily close the Chartley Fire Station due to lack of funding. Be sure to check the comments and weigh in.

1.) Suspect In Wheaton Bomb Scare Arrested- Dec. 9

Dec. 9, Norton Police detectives arrested Nicholas Barnett, 19, of West Simsbury, CT, in connection with the suspicious device discovered under the Peacock Pond bridge at Wheaton College on Tuesday, Dec. 7.