On Monday, the Free Press will have its Top 10 stories of 2006, as voted on by the reporters, editors and photographers at the paper. Here’s how I voted:

1. Spasm of shootings and stabbings shakes Kinston from April to June.

2. Lenoir County voters approve $69.7 million school construction bond.

3. Willie Ray Starling defeats incumbent state House Rep. Stephen LaRoque in the Republican primary that began in May and ended in September, with three investigative hearings in between.

4. The state lottery gets an enthusiastic reception from players when it debuts in March. Kinston’s Piggly Wiggly on North Herritage Street makes it to the top 10 in sales statewide.

5. Delta announces intentions to cease offering service at the Kinston Jetport.

6. Smithfield Packing opens new $100 million plant, creating 300 new jobs.

7. Lenoir County Schools Superintendent John Frossard quits.

8. Disputed union vote at Roger Carter Corporation being a prelude to the company filing for bankruptcy protection.

9. Audit faults Eastern Region board of commissioners for lax financial oversight and criticizes the spending practices of the former executive director.

10. Lenoir Memorial Hospital marks 100 years of hospital care in Lenoir County.

My top 10 doesn’t necessarily match the final results, but you’ll have to wait until Monday to see what those were. In the meantime, feel free to post your top stories here. Unfortunately, I won’t get the comments posted until Tuesday when I get back to work, but I promise they will be posted.

Until then, have a happy new year!