Blaine proclaims October Domestic Violence Awareness Month; swears in Eric Thorvig as city manager

The Blaine City Council on Oct. 6 proclaimed October 2025 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and heard remarks from Alexandria House describing local service levels and outreach plans.

Connie Moore, co‑executive director of Alexandria House, thanked the council for the proclamation and for “your steadfast support for our mission.” Moore said intimate‑partner violence remains widespread and cited recent service numbers: in 2024 Alexandria House provided 2,494 services to Blaine residents and served 136 unduplicated Blaine residents (not including calls to a 24‑hour helpline). For January through May 2025, Moore said the agency provided 1,449 services to Blaine residents, served 66 unduplicated Blaine residents and answered 91 helpline calls from Blaine. Moore urged visible solidarity during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, encouraging residents to display yard signs or “illuminate your home in purple and engage in conversations.”

Later in the meeting the council administered the oath of office to Eric Thorvig, who was sworn in as Blaine’s city manager. An attorney administered the oath; Thorvig recited the standard oath to support the constitutions and municipal code and to “faithfully discharge the duties as city manager.” Mayor Sanders congratulated Thorvig and praised him as “a tremendous human being. Great, great guy.”

The council read and entered the proclamation into the record; Alexandria House representatives thanked the council and noted outreach activities including HopeFest and a purple‑themed day of solidarity on Oct. 23.