Phil Rockrohr

Phil Rockrohr is a freelance writer for the Pioneer Press.

Luke Livingston, who served as principal at Crow Island School in Winnetka School District 36 for four years, has become the new principal at Washburne School, a D36 middle school. (Phil Rockrohr/for Pioneer Press)

Principal Livingston moves up to middle school with his Winnetka D36 students

August 18, 2025 at 4:35 p.m.

Luke Livingston, who served as principal for four years at Crow Island School, an elementary in Winnetka School District 36, is moving up along with many of his former students...

After nine years at Northbrook School District 28's Greenbriar School, Ginny Hiltz has become principal at nearby Meadowbrook School. (Phil Rockrohr/for Pioneer Press)

Hiltz to guide rebuild of Northbrook’s Meadowbrook School as principal

August 25, 2025 at 2:11 p.m.

Ginny Hiltz, new principal at Northbrook District 28's Meadowbrook School, must lead it through construction of a new school.

The Northbrook Park District's Leisure Center closed Aug. 18 to undergo a $12.1 million renovation and will reopen as the Northbrook Community Center in spring 2026. (Wight & Company/Northbrook Park District)

Work is starting on $12.1 million renovation of Northbrook Community Center

August 18, 2025 at 8:25 a.m.

The planned Northbrook Community Center – formerly the Leisure Center – will create a more modern, welcoming environment intended to connect visitors with nature, according to Joan Scovic, spokeswoman for...

Lisa Engel, principal of Springman Middle School in Glenview, spent the last three years as assistant principal for teaching and learning at the school. She said she wanted to be a teacher since age 7. (Phil Rockrohr/for Pioneer Press)

Glenview’s Springman Middle School gets new principal, Lisa Engel

August 16, 2025 at 8:44 a.m.

Lisa Engel, principal of Springman Middle School in Glenview, spent 3 years there as assistant principal for teaching and learning.

Public awareness is shifting toward the possibility of nuclear annihilation, but two major nuclear powers, the U.S. and Russia, no longer believe that a nuclear war cannot be won, said David Borris of Chicago Area Peace Action at an Evanston rally Aug. 9, 2025. (Phil Rockrohr/for Pioneer Press)

Threat of nuclear war has increased, Evanston peace rally speakers warn

August 12, 2025 at 9:15 a.m.

Public awareness is shifting toward the possibility of nuclear annihilation, said David Borris of Chicago Area Peace Action at an antiwar rally Saturday in Evanston. Two major nuclear powers no...

Greenbriar School Principal Danielle Moran coordinated virtual learning for 1,300 students from 13 elementary schools during the pandemic. (Phil Rockrohr/for Pioneer Press)

Northbrook’s Greenbriar School gets new principal Danielle Moran

August 8, 2025 at 8:53 a.m.

During the pandemic, Danielle Moran coordinated virtual learning for 1,300 students from 13 elementary schools in Wheaton-Warrenville Community Unit School District 200. Moran served in District 200 as director of...

Jon Baffico said he was attracted to his new job as principal of Wilmette Junior High School by the school's "community feel." (Phil Rockrohr/for Pioneer Press)

New Wilmette Junior High Principal Baffico, with 29 years’ experience, plans to boost school community

August 2, 2025 at 7:20 a.m.

Jon P. Baffico joined Disrict 39's Wilmette Junior High as principal and said his goals include boosting community.

At the Dr. Jorge and Luz Maria Prieto Center dedication July 19, 2025 in Evanston, the couple's daughter, also named Luz Maria Prieto, shared a story of her father providing medical treatment to a man who could not afford to go to a doctor. (Phil Rockrohr/for Pioneer Press)

Evanston center named for pioneering Latino couple is dedicated

July 21, 2025 at 12:52 p.m.

Evanston named a community center for Dr. Jorge and Luz Maria Prieto, who led efforts to provide healthcare for Mexican immigrants.

Northbrook's Village Board on July 8, 2025, approved a Chicago developer's plan to build 53 town homes on the site of the former Our Lady of the Brook Catholic Church in Northbrook. (Phil Rockrohr/for Pioneer Press)

Northbrook Board OKs 53-town home development on former church property

July 18, 2025 at 6:43 p.m.

Northbrook's Board approved a developer's plan to build 53 townhomes on the former Our Lady of the Brook Catholic Church site.

The Northbrook Park District's Northbrook Leisure Center will get a $12.1 million update starting in Aug. 2025, and plans call for the building's Little Theatre to be renovated as part of the project. (Phil Rockrohr/for Pioneer Press)

Northbrook’s Leisure Center to get $12.1 million update to make it ‘true community center’

June 24, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

Beginning in mid-August, the Northbrook Leisure Center will get a $12.1 million makeover that will convert it from a 1960s school to a full-fledged community center, officials said. “It feels...

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