A fire truck from Andover showed up in style at the annual tree lighting. Original Article

Mayor Jamie Barthel communicates with residents of Andover at the tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 5. Original Article

The community tree glows for the first time this year during Andover’s annual tree-lighting ceremony. Original Article

The newly lit Colorado blue spruce glows outside the Andover Community Center during the city’s annual tree-lighting ceremony on Dec. 5. Original Article

Volunteers dish out hot cocoa at Andover’s Dec. 5 tree-lighting ceremony. Original Article

Andover held its annual tree lighting at the city’s Community Center, with Santa and Mrs. Claus greeting families and White Rabbit serving hot cocoa, s’mores and other treats. Dozens of families took part in the festivities — roasting marshmallows at the fire pits, posing for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and building impressively large snow forts in the fresh snowfall. Mayor Jamie Barthel thanked attendees for coming out and joined the crowd for the countdown to the lighting. Rep. Peggy Scott and Council Members Rick Engelhardt and Jonathan Shafto were also present. ...

The Blaine City Council held its Truth in Taxation hearing to present and gather public feedback on a proposed 9.9% increase to the city’s overall levy in 2026. Several council members expressed frustration with ongoing levy growth, even as the increase is lower than last year’s — a goal the council had set for 2026. The city’s 2026 budget and tax levy will be considered for adoption Dec. 15. Finance Director Jason Zimmerman outlined the annual property tax timeline, beginning each January when property values are established for the following year’s taxes. Value notices are mailed in February, and current-year property tax statements are mailed in March. First-half taxes are due in May, proposed levies are set in September, and proposed tax statements are mailed in November. Final tax levies must be certified to the county auditor within five days of Dec. 20. ...

At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Andover City Council unanimously approved a reasonable accommodation request for a wheelchair ramp at 13981 Olive St. NW. Community Development Director Joe Janish said the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status and disability, and requires reasonable modifications that allow individuals with disabilities full use of their homes. Janish said the ramp will be installed at the front of the house, extending to the side before descending toward the driveway. ...

A Blaine resident diagnosed with heart failure at age 28 plans to return to the Porcupine Mountains in 2026 for a snowmobiling trip he takes each year with friends. For that resident, Spencer Peka, the trip almost never would have happened. Peka said that during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he began having increasing difficulty catching his breath. While at his family cabin north of Askov over Memorial Day weekend that year, he noticed trouble breathing, though not enough to raise concerns. ...

After going into closed session to discuss preliminary allegations, the Andover City Council unanimously voted to terminate the full-time building supervisor of the city’s Community Center. Council Member Scott Schue, making the motion to terminate the employee, said that it was based on relevant documentation that they had already received, as well as testimony from the individual. The termination was effective immediately. City Attorney Scott Baumgartner said that the Council had discussed testimony, and that Recreational Facilities Manager Erick Sutherland had been in the meeting along with human resources and City Administrator Sarah Cotton. He indicated that based on testimony and evidence he approved of the termination. ...