Maine
Niles West educator to become principal of Maine South High School in Park Ridge
Maine Township High School District 207’s board of education announced the new principal for Maine South High School in Park Ridge on Monday, and he’s a local pick.
They selected Antwan Babakhani, assistant principal for student success at Niles West High School in Skokie, was selected for the job out of 42 applicants, according to a District 207 spokesperson.
“Antwan impressed the interview teams with his comprehensive understanding of educational leadership, collaborative mindset, and deep commitment to supporting and empowering students,” said incoming superintendent Tatiana Bonuma. “We are excited to welcome Antwan and look forward to the future as he embarks on this journey to promote student success at Maine South.”
To narrow down the pool of applicants, four rounds of interviews were done with students, parents, teachers, support staff, school administrators and district administrators, according to the district. Officials also used focus groups and surveys to create a principal profile to help find the best candidate.
“I am honored and thrilled to serve as the new principal of Maine South High School,” said Dr. Babakhani in a news release. “It is a privilege to join this vibrant community of students, educators and staff known for its commitment to excellence in education, inclusivity and fostering a supportive environment where every student can thrive.”
Babakhani has been Niles West’s assistant principal since 2013, and had been a dean of students for a year prior. From 2009 to 2011, Babakhani was the assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Amundsen High School in the Chicago Public Schools. Babakhani teaches asynchronously as an adjunct professor at Concordia University.
Babakhani earned his his bachelor’s degree in English Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He earned his master’s degree in reading and doctoral degree in educational leadership from Concordia University.
Babakhani’s base salary is $188,000 and will begin the role as principal on July 1. The district had been seeking a new principal for Maine South after former principal Ben Collins accepted a position as superintendent for Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. Maine South started the school year with interim principals Steve Isoye and Mike Pressler
WISCASSET, Maine (WMTW) – A Maine man has been arrested after police say he intentionally set a bed on fire after a dispute with his girlfriend, while they were still in it.
Police responded Monday, March 9, to a report of a fire that had been intentionally set inside a home on Beechnut Hill Road, according to the Wiscasset Police Department.
Investigators say the homeowner, Terry Couture, 41, set the bed on fire following an argument while both he and his girlfriend were in it. Authorities said the fire was extinguished and no serious injuries were reported.
Couture was arrested and charged with attempted murder, arson, aggravated criminal mischief, and domestic violence criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.
The investigation is ongoing.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
CLIFTON, Maine (WABI) – Maine Maple Sunday is less than two weeks away, and the Williams Family Farm in Clifton is gearing up for one of the sweetest seasons yet.
A long stretch of frost and snow meant a late start this year, but the first boil of sap has finally run through the evaporator, and maple season is officially underway.
At Williams Family Farm, everything is done by hand:
- Fresh maple syrup, bottled on-site
- Maple sugar, carefully extracted in small batches
- Baked candied pecans, cashews, and more
The Williams family has spent years working with whatever weather sends their way.
Long winters, surprise warmups, and everything in between—they’ve learned how to adapt so community members can enjoy their products.
As co-owner John Williams explains, the key is in the temperature.
“You need to have it warm during the day and still freezing at night, so typically that’s the middle of February,” said Williams. “We have a lot of trees, so we have to start tapping them before the conditions are ideal, so we start tapping way before it’s time for it to run just so we can get them all tapped. If you have ten trees in your backyard, you want to wait until roughly now, the middle of February to now, and when it’s actually running and put them in then because you can put all your taps in, in one day.”
They’re excited to welcome the community during Maine Maple Weekend on March 21 and 22.
They will be boiling up sap, hosting demonstrations, and providing free samples.
Locals can also join them for their third annual pancake breakfast where all proceeds are donated to Holbrook Recreation.
Follow the link to find out their hours for March and more.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
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