RI Patch's Top Stories of 2015

A tranquil day at the beach was rocked by a mysterious explosion in the sand. A teen is charged with forcing his peers into prostitution. Two men die in a murder-suicide on the streets of Newport.

Those are just some of the top headlines across Rhode Island in 2015. We also met an obese man on an inspiring journey to save his marriage, and himself. And a Rhode Island icon finds himself at the center of the national race debate.

Take a look back at the year that was, as Patch highlights some of the top stories of 2015.

Mysterious Beach Blast Sends Woman Flying Into Rocks

• The woman, 50, was transported to South County Hospital after she became trapped on the rocks.

16-Year-Old Boy Jailed For Sex-Trafficking Of Minor

• Jmaire Wray, 16, allegedly worked with a 20-year-old co-conspirator to force girls under 18 to post ads and meet with men for sex.

Two Dead after Sidewalk Murder-Suicide in Newport

• The shooting occurred after an argument between two men on King and Williams Streets.

Sex Crimes at Prep School Revealed in Investigation

• St. George’s School in Middletown failed to report dozens of cases of sexual misconduct among staff and students in the 1970s and 80s.

560-Pound Man Riding Bike Across Country to Save Marriage

• “I was just failing as a human being,” Eric Hites said.

800-Pound RI Man Booted from Hospital For Ordering Pizza is Moving to Ohio

• John Assanti made headlines around the world when he was told to leave a hospital for ordering a pizza.

Autistic Man Worked for Applebee’s without Pay, Family Wants Answers

• What they don’t want is for anyone to boycott the restaurant, which was unaware that Caleb Dyl, 21, had not been paid for about a year.

Deli Closes Due to Lack of Decent Help

• The Woonsocket deli posted a sign on its window that said it has been unable to find “quality” workers and was closing.

Tall Ship Providence Topples Over in Storm

• The replica warship was hauled out at Newport Shipyard when it tipped over in blizzard conditions.

16-Year-Old Girl Charged with Child Porn in Cyberstalking Case

• Police said a 16-year-old girl posted nude photos of a 14-year-old girl on Facebook and sent the photos to other local children.

RI’s Fired Dancing Cop Finds Himself at Intersection of Race Debate

• From a coffee cup to a protest outside a Christmas tree lighting, Rhode Island’s famous Dancing Cop is now the center of controversy.