A New Jersey housewife, Governor Christie's push for privatization, the suicide of a university student that put a national spotlight on bullying, and a toilet-paper dropping pilot were among the most-read stories on NorthJersey.com in 2010.

The most read stories of 2010:

1. Christie looks to privatize motor vehicle inspections, other services
New Jersey would close its centralized car inspection lanes and motorists would pay for their own emissions tests under a sweeping set of recommendations set to be released by the Christie administration, according to a State House story in July.

2. Westwood pilot charged after toilet paper drop over high school football field
In October, staff writers Stephanie Akin and Denisa Superville reported on Westwood resident Warren Saunders, who was charged with violating state aviation codes for an airplane toilet paper-drop stunt that stirred up post-9/11 anxieties about low-flying planes, according to authorities

3. N.J. 'Real Housewife' faked the fabulous life
In August, the Record's Virginia Rohan detailed the behind-the-scenes story on the bankrupty filing of Teresa Giudice.

4. School board elections
With districts facing cuts and layoffs, readers followed town-by-town results of the April school board election.

5. Lautenberg taken to hospital after fall; diagnosed with bleeding ulcer
Washington Correspondent Herb Jackson reported in February on the medical treatment of Sen. Frank Lautenberg, following a fall at his home.

6. Housewives' bad girl Danielle Staub in Wayne court over hair-pulling complaint
First reported by staff writer Andrea Alexander in 2009, the story of Danielle Staub's court appearance over a fight where the teenage daughter of a castmate allegedly pulled out one of her hair extensions continues to resonate with readers.

7. Ridgewood man takes own life; Rutgers dorm mates charged after sex webcast
The September story by Record staff Ashley Kindergan, Stephanie Akin, Evonne Coutros and Nick Clunn detailed the death of Tyler Clementi and charges levied against his roommate and another Rutgers University student.

8. Update: Pompton Lakes man who killed his children and himself was separating from wife
An October story by Hannan Adely, Andrea Alexander, Barbara Williams and William Lamb detailed the deaths of two young children by their father, who then killed himself.