Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: April 3, 2025

On April 1, 2025, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office, the Montana Highway Patrol and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office investigated a fatal motor vehicle accident involving two motor vehicles on U.S. Highway 191 near the intersection with Cobb Hill Road at mile marker 81.

The deceased driver was identified as 55-year-old Juan Farias, and the deceased passenger was identified as 22-year-old Oscar Jacuinde, both residents of Belgrade. The cause of death for both was determined to be blunt force injuries, and the manner was ruled accidental.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Juan Farias and Oscar Jacuinde during this time.

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For immediate release: April 3, 2025 

Media contact: 
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
Cell: 406-595-8963
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County Moves Forward with Old Town Bridge Project 

Gallatin County has taken a significant step forward in the Old Town Bridge project to help replace two bridges on Old Town Road that span the Jefferson River near Three Forks.

The county signed onto a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) last month. Gallatin County is now awaiting the final executed document with signatures from SHPO and the Army Corps, which is expected this week. This agreement has been in negotiation for many months, and Gallatin County has been unable to go out to bid until all required federal permits are secured. 

The bridge located on Old Town Road East was closed to traffic in June 2022 after an inspection identified significant safety issues with the structure. This closure resulted in a 10-mile detour and has forced emergency services to reroute, causing considerable delays in service. The bridge located on Old Town Road West, located approximately one-quarter mile west of this structure, currently has a 7-ton load limit. Due to the significant population increases in both Gallatin and Broadwater Counties, Old Town Road and the two bridges continue to be vital infrastructure for the region. 

Gallatin and Broadwater counties have been collaborating and finding funding to replace the bridges. Both received grants from the Montana Coal Endowment Program and matching funds from the Montana Department of Transportation.  

With this key milestone nearly complete, Gallatin County is preparing for the next steps in the project. The anticipated schedule is as follows: 

• Advertisement of the project: April 5, 12, and 19 

• Preconstruction meeting for interested contractors: Week of April 14 

• Bid opening: Tuesday, April 29 at 9 AM 

• Recommendation of award and Notice of Award to the Commission for approval: May 6 Commission meeting 

Once a contractor is selected, Gallatin County aims to mobilize construction as quickly as possible. Construction for both bridges will be bid and constructed under one contract in an effort to reduce costs. 

The Gallatin County Commission acknowledges the frustrations of Old Town residents about the bridge closure and is committed to addressing the significant inconveniences and threats to public health and safety that have resulted from the closure. 

“We understand the immense frustration and hardship this bridge closure has caused for Old Town residents,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown. “We share their urgency in getting this project completed, and while the permitting process with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and SHPO has been beyond our control, we have done everything in our power to push this forward. Now that we are on the brink of breaking ground, we are fully committed to seeing this project through as quickly as possible.” 

For more information, including a project timeline and history, please visit Old Town Bridge project website. 

Stahly Engineering has led this project through design and permitting stages, after being selected by the county through a competitive procurement process. The next phase will be led by a contractor who will implement physical construction of the bridges. This contractor will be selected through a competitive bidding process to take place in April and May, according to the planned timeline outlined above. 

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For immediate release: March 24, 2025

The Gallatin City-County Health Department has a new temporary home at 400 E. Babcock St. in Bozeman following structural damage to its main office on Mendenhall Street. The health department will be located at this temporary address for at least six months while assessments and repairs are underway. Office hours at the new address are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Click here to read the full press release. 

    

For immediate release: March 24, 2025 

Media Contact:
Patty Howard, Recycling/Outreach Educator for Gallatin Solid Waste Management District
406-582-2493
patty.howard@gallatin.mt.gov 

New High-Visibility Clothing Requirement at Logan Landfill Enhances Safety Measures 

The Gallatin Solid Waste Management District (GSWMD) announces the implementation of a new safety protocol at Logan Landfill to ensure the well-being of all visitors and staff. 

Effective March 1, all people exiting their vehicles in designated areas where heavy equipment is in operation are required to wear high-visibility (hi-vis) clothing. A minimum of 400 square inches of high-visibility material is mandatory. Hats do not fulfill this requirement.  

This measure aims to enhance safety by increasing visibility in high-risk zones. 

From March 1 through March 29, reusable hi-vis vests will be provided at no cost to customers lacking appropriate attire. Starting March 31, a $3 fee will be applied for each vest issued to individuals without compliant hi-vis clothing. 

Logan Landfill, managed by GSWMD, is dedicated to maintaining a safe environment for both visitors and employees. It is currently open for summer hours:  

• Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

• Saturday: 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

For more information on the hi-vis clothing policy or other services, please contact GSWMD at 406-582-2495 or visit our website at www.gallatinsolidwaste.com.  

About Gallatin Solid Waste Management District: 

The Gallatin Solid Waste Management District is committed to providing efficient, environmentally sound, and cost-effective waste management and recycling services to the residents of Gallatin County. Through continuous improvement and community engagement, GSWMD strives to promote sustainability and public safety. We serve the areas of Amsterdam, Belgrade, Big Sky, Bozeman, Four Corners, Gallatin Gateway, Manhattan, Three Forks, and West Yellowstone (part of Hebgen/West Yellowstone Refuse District). 

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On March 19, 2025, Gallatin County 911 Dispatch received a call for a snowmobile accident in which two snowmobilers had struck a tree and were seriously injured. GCSSAR, Big Sky Team and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded.

GCSSAR Big Sky volunteers deployed resources including hasty teams, a Snowbulance, and an Orion rescue sled. When they arrived at the scene on the accident, they found one of the patients was in a deteriorating medical condition. Search and Rescue called for LifeFlight medical helicopter, who responded and landed the helicopter on the groomed snowmobile trail. The patient was flown to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center. The second patient was transported by ground to the trailhead. The second patient was transferred into the care of Big Sky Fire Department and was transported to Big Sky Medical Center.

The Big Sky Section of Search and Rescue received tremendous assistance from a group of volunteer firefighters and other bystanders who were recreating in the area. Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank all the bystanders who had taken time to receive medical training and who jumped into action to help other backcountry users in their time of need.

In addition, the injured snowmobilers were wearing all the appropriate equipment including full face helmets and goggles. Wearing the proper equipment for the sport likely prevented this terrible accident from having deadly consequences.

 

For immediate release: March 10, 2025 

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov

 

Gallatin County Announces Informational Presentation on Hidden Creek Affordable Housing Development in Bozeman 

Gallatin County invites community members to an informational presentation and neighborhood meeting to discuss the Hidden Creek affordable housing project, a collaborative effort to address the growing need for permanent deed-restricted community housing. 

Event Details: 

• What: Informational presentation and neighborhood meeting 

• Who: Neighbors and anyone interested in the development 

• When: Monday, March 17, 2025, at 5:30 PM 

• Where: Gallatin County Courthouse, 311 W. Main Street, Room 300, Bozeman, MT or a virtual attendance option is also available here.

The Hidden Creek project, located on the vacant land north of the Gallatin County Rest Home on Durston Road in Bozeman, represents a partnership between Gallatin County, United Housing Partners LLC (UHP), and the Human Resource Development Council, District IX (HRDC). This innovative development aims to expand affordable housing options in Gallatin County by providing: 

• 182 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) apartments 

• 8 for sale equity-restricted rowhomes managed by a community land trust (CLT) 

• An infrastructure-ready parcel for future use, to remain under Gallatin County ownership 

The presentation will include updates on the formal subdivision process and site plans, as well as opportunities for public input. Representatives from Gallatin County, UHP, and HRDC will be available to answer questions and discuss how the development will meet community needs. 

Efforts to develop the Hidden Creek neighborhood began in 2021, and milestones include securing $2 million in funding from the City of Bozeman, and $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a $500,000 pre-development loan, and donation of the land from Gallatin County. Construction planning is ongoing, with continued input from local stakeholders and partners.

For additional details about the Hidden Creek project, including site plans and project history, visit the Gallatin County Affordable Housing webpage. 

Community members are encouraged to attend in person or online to share their thoughts and learn more about this transformative initiative. 

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On February 17th, 2025, at 6:11pm, Gallatin County 911 Dispatch received a call reporting a missing person who had been snowmobiling in the Taylor’s Fork area near Big Sky. The caller reported that they were snowmobiling with a family member who had gotten stuck in a lower basin area. The caller thought their family member had made it out but then was unable to find them. After a couple of hours of searching and not locating the other snowmobile, the caller contacted Gallatin County 911 Dispatch to seek assistance. The Big Sky section of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) was activated.

The missing person eventually contacted 911, which provided coordinates to their location. GCSSAR teams met at Sage Creek Trailhead, where the missing party had originally left from. One Team left on snowmobiles to look for the missing person while another stood by in case there were other needs. At about 8:43pm, searchers located the missing person, who was all right without any injuries. GCSSAR members escorted them safely back to the trailhead.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind all who recreate in the backcountry that not only is it a good practice to go with another person but also make sure to plan how you are going to keep in contact with each other in areas without cellular service such as a two-way radio, or GPS messaging device.

For Immediate Release: Feb. 13, 2025

The Gallatin County annex building, located at 215 W. Mendenhall St. in Bozeman, has been temporarily closed due to structural issues. This building, which houses employees from the Gallatin City-County Health Department, including the Bozeman WIC office, and the Gallatin County Local Water Quality District, was deemed unsafe after a roof truss was compromised. All occupants were evacuated safely.

Read the full press release here. 

For immediate release: Feb. 10, 2024 

Media contact:
Meghan Hazer-Alvarez, Gallatin County Planning Department
406-582-3130
meghan.hazeralvarez@gallatin.mt.gov 

Gallatin County Hosting Community Listening Sessions on Zoning Reform 

Join us for an important opportunity to shape the future of planning and zoning in Gallatin County! 

Over the years, residents have highlighted challenges and gaps in the county’s planning and zoning framework. With 22 separate zoning districts that operate independently, the system is challenging for property owners to navigate, inefficient for the county to manage, and creates significant barriers to implementing routine updates when needed.  

Additionally, 74% of the private land in the county’s planning jurisdiction remains unzoned, leaving these areas vulnerable to unexpected land use changes. Unzoned areas have limited local review mechanisms compared to zoned areas to mitigate the impacts of development on neighboring properties, water quality and quantity, agriculture, wildlife, and more. 

The Gallatin County Commission wants to hear directly from community members about their experiences and challenges with the County’s zoning framework and explore potential zoning reform options, tailored to address these challenges. To provide for this, the county is hosting a series of community listening sessions on zoning reform where the public can share their experiences, ideas, and perspectives on the county’s current system and zoning reform with the County Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, Planning Board, and planning staff.  

The listening sessions will begin with a brief presentation by the Planning Department followed by time reserved for the public to provide verbal comments with the various boards and commissions present, as noted below. Written comments may be also provided via email at envision@gallatin.mt.gov prior to the final scheduled session. 

No votes or decisions will be made at these meetings. However, this is an important opportunity to share perspectives with elected officials and voting members of planning related boards and commissions to inform likely future decisions around zoning reform. 

“Gallatin County residents care deeply about land use planning and property rights. We look forward to open, honest conversations where diverse perspectives and ideas can help shape a more efficient, effective system. Together, we can build a vibrant community that reflects our shared vision for the future!” said Sean O’Callaghan, Gallatin County Chief Planning Officer.

Resources, including videos created by staff, to help you understand the county’s planning framework and its challenges are available at www.envisiongallatin.com. 

These sessions will be at the following days and times: 

• Feb. 18 – 1-4 PM 
  County Commission & Planning staff present 

• March 13 – 1:30-4 PM 
  County Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Planning staff present 

• March 25 – 6-8:30 PM
  County Commission, Planning Board, and Planning staff present 

All sessions will be held in the Gallatin County Courthouse Community Room, located on the third floor at 311 W. Main St. in downtown Bozeman. For those unable to attend in person, sessions will also be accessible virtually via Zoom. Details for joining online will be provided on www.envisiongallatin.com prior to the sessions. 

Questions or written comments can be submitted by emailing envision@gallatin.mt.gov or calling the Planning Department at 406-582-3130. 

Stay informed! 

• Sign up for project updates by emailing envision@gallatin.mt.gov. 

• Subscribe to the county’s weekly newsletter, The Bulletin, at www.gallatinmt.gov/subscribe. 

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For Immediate Release: February 10, 2025

“Through with Chew Week” is February 16 – 22

The Gallatin City-County Health Department is encouraging people who use smokeless tobacco to set a quit date and quit for good. Over half of the smokeless tobacco users who used Quit Now Montana in 2023 were able to successfully become tobacco-free! Quit Now Montana coaches can help you, too.  Read the full press release here.

Media Contact: 
Holly Whaley
holly.whaley@gallatin.mt.gov