Illinois State Police Troop 2 announced Tuesday troopers will launch the following specialty patrols in December in La Salle County.

The Hall girls basketball team won in the Princeton tournament and more basketball results in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

The La Salle-Peru girls basketball team broke open a tight game with Somonauk-Leland after the first quarter and eventually earned a 52-21 victory on Friday at the Tim Humes Breakout Tournament at Somonauk High School.

A La Salle man was granted pre-trial release Friday after prosecutors charged him with having unlawful sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl.

Chester Weger has not yet succeeded in overturning his murder conviction – but a judge ruled Friday he can keep trying.

Princeton, which made its fourth straight Class 3A quarterfinal appearance, had a heavy presence with six all-conference selections on both sides of the ball.

St. Bede boys basketball coach Brian Hanson said "it's been a while since we've been this deep." The Bruins look to play fast but value the ball on offense and apply constant pressure on defense.

The Hall girls basketball team are wearing the No. 33 on their warmups this season in honor of the Derek “Birdy” Baird, the much beloved former Red Devil player in the Spring Valley community.

Illinois Valley residents will have a new Georgia-style barbecue option come Saturday, located at 1402 Peoria St.