See 2024's Top Stories In Rhode Island

RHODE ISLAND — As residents in and around Rhode Island plan to ring in the new year, Patch is looking back on some of the biggest stories of the year.

Below are the top 15 stories you and your neighbors in Rhode Island clicked on the most:

1. 2 RI Stop & Shop Supermarkets Closing: See List: Stop & Shop's parent company announces the closure of 32 stores, including two in Rhode Island.
2. 1 RI Restaurant Among Top 100 In U.S., According To New List: The restaurant reservation service OpenTable develops the top 100 restaurants list from reviews left by verified users, not food critics.
3. 1 RI Restaurant Nominated For 2024 James Beard Awards: The James Beard Awards recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries and are often called the Oscars of culinary.
4. How Much Snow Will We See This Winter In RI? See 4 Predictions: Several forecasters have put forward their predictions for how snowy the season will be. Here's a look at what they're saying.
5. 'Bomb Cyclone' With Torrential Rain, Possible Tornadoes Headed To RI: A "budding bomb cyclone" will pass over Rhode Island mid-week, dumping torrential rain and bringing the possibility of tornadoes.
6. Here’s How Much Minimum Wage Will Go Up In RI On Jan. 1: The pay raises taking effect Jan. 1 will increase worker pay by about $5.7 billion in the 21 states that are boosting the minimum wage.
7. Social Security Cost Of Living Adjustment 2025: What Rhode Island Residents Can Expect: Cost of living adjustments for Rhode Islanders on Social Security may not be enough to keep pace with inflation, according to advocates.
8. Here Is RI's Richest Billionaire: New Forbes List: Overall, the 400 richest billionaires in America are worth $5.4 trillion, up nearly $1 trillion from last year, a record, Forbes said.
9. Ex-Pediatrician With Practices In RI, MA Sentenced For Molesting Child: David Healey, 52, of Barrington, was a licensed doctor who practiced medicine in North Providence and Worcester, Massachusetts.
10. These Are The Top 5 Safest Towns In Rhode Island: Safewise 2024 List: Bristol was named the safest town in Rhode Island, according to the 2024 State of Safety in America ranking from Safewise.com.
11. This RI Restaurant Is Among America's Top 50, NYT Ranking Says: Of the 50 restaurants highlighted by the Times, 32 are newly opened.
12. This Is RI's 'Most Beautiful' Restaurant, New Ranking Says: People Magazine says this Rhode Island restaurant is located in a gorgeous former mansion by the beach.
13. Father Who Shot, Killed Son Before Fatally Shooting Himself Identified: Warwick Police: Warwick police say a father shot and killed his 4-year-old son, before fatally shooting himself.
14. Rare Infection Kills RI Resident Who Swam With An Open Wound: RIDOH: RIDOH officials say be aware of the potential dangers of vibrio bacteria if you have an open wound and enter salt or brackish water.
15. Earthquake Rattles RI After Magnitude 4.7 Temblor In NJ: "It happened at the same time a large gust of wind hit my windows, so it almost felt like my apartment was a hammock," one RI resident says.

Have a news tip? Email jimmy.bentley@patch.com.