Development director resigns after month

The former Maplewood community development director who was hired in November to be Stillwater’s community development director has resigned.

Danette Parr resigned effective Dec. 31, City Administrator Joe Kohlmann said. Kohlmann said he could provide no other details.

Parr had been Maplewood’s community development director for two years. Prior to that, she served as community and economic development director in Plymouth; economic development director in Cottage Grove; director of business development in St. Paul; and community development and natural resources director in Prior Lake.

On Tuesday night, the Stillwater City Council voted to temporarily appoint Planning Director Ben Gutknecht as interim community development director. A salary adjustment, per union contract, will be applied.

City officials hope over the next few weeks to fill the position of interim community development director, Kohlmann said. “We expect the new interim director will be here for at least few months,” he said.

“We’re going to move forward and continue to keep our community development work going,” he said. “We’ve got good people on staff, and we’re going to add to it with more good people.”

Tim Gladhill, who previously held the position, left Stillwater in August to become community development director in Brooklyn Park.

— Mary Divine

Downtown distillery closing this month

Forge & Foundry Distillery in downtown Stillwater will close later this month.

The owners, who made the announcement in a Facebook post, said the distillery’s last day will be Jan. 18.

“This isn’t the end we imagined, but we’re so proud of everything we’ve built together,” the Facebook post states. “Please stop by before the 18th to say goodbye, enjoy your favorite drink, and help us close out this chapter with love and gratitude.”

Forge & Foundry opened at 223 N. Main St. in 2020.

In their post, the owners thanked their customers “for being part of this journey.”

“You’ve celebrated your milestones with us, brought your friends and families here, and supported us through thick and thin,” the post states. “You’ve made our little distillery a place filled with laughter, community, and unforgettable memories. We’ll always treasure that.”

The owners asked for customers to show kindness and patience to staff over the next week.

“(They) have poured their hearts and souls into making this place what it is,” they wrote. “Without their hard work, dedication, and passion, we wouldn’t have made it this far. They are truly the best, and this is an especially tough time for them. They’ve done absolutely nothing wrong, and yet they’re losing their jobs. If you visit us in the next two weeks, please show them kindness, patience, and understanding. They deserve it now more than ever.”

— Mary Divine

Woman, 80, killed in mobility scooter fire

While the investigation continues, preliminary findings suggest smoking likely caused a fire to erupt on a motorized scooter outside a care facility Monday that resulted in the death of an 80-year old woman, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

In a updated news release from the Ely Police Department on Wednesday, the victim was identified as Marjorie Jane Hible, 80, of Ely.

The police department said Hible was “engulfed” before staff members were able to get her off the scooter. The incident was reported to 911 by a witness shortly after 4:30 p.m. outside the Boundary Waters Care Center, which provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.

Hible was badly burned and died after being airlifted to a Duluth hospital.

— Forum News Service