Good morning, Andover. Triple AAA is warning that today will be the start of heavy highway travel as we head into the 4th of July weekend. Here’s what else you need to know today:
Weather: It’s going to be noticeably hotter today as we head to a high of 83 degrees with lots of sun. Look for more of the same Friday, with a high of 93.
Church disaffiliation: Nearly 90 percent of the members of the Ballard Vale United Church voted in favor of disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church last Sunday because of General Conference of the UMC’s stance on LBTQIA+ parishioners. Ballard Vale United has been discussing the move for 2.5 years. The final vote was 41-5. Read more on the Andover Townsman.
Summer reading challenge: Memorial Hall Library is challenging Andover residents to read 500,000 minutes between June 21 and Aug. 21 as part of its summer reading challenge. Minutes will be tracked using the Beanstalk app. As of Thursday morning, Andover residents had already read more than 106,000 minutes in the challenge. More information and registration.
Great grants: Andover is receiving help in extending its fiber network to water pumping stations in the form of a $250,000 grant from the Community Compact Municipal Fiber program, according to a news release from State Sen. Barry Finegold. Meanwhile, the Cummings Foundation awarded Andover Community Trust a grant of $25,000 annually for four years to help with its efforts to develop affordable housing.