Gallatin Media Center

Media Release:  260701-01
Contact:  Patrick Lonergan, (406) 548-0116

Gallatin County Conducting Test of Community Notification System

Gallatin County, MT – On July 31st Gallatin County Emergency Management will be testing the Community Notification System for registered users in Northern Gallatin County.  Gallatin County has multiple approaches to disseminating emergency information, with community members registering in the Community Notification System providing us the highest accuracy and speed in targeting those directly affected by an incident.  This test is an opportunity for the community to verify they are receiving notifications like they expect.  As time goes on, people move and contact information changes which unfortunately sometimes leads to people not receiving important information they are expecting to receive.

The community is encouraged to log in and verify they have the correct contact information and locations they want to be alerted for.  For individuals who may not already be registered, this is a great opportunity to spend 5 minutes to register in the Community Notification System and ensure they receive critical information that applies directly to them.

More information on the Community Notification System and registration is available at Alerts.ReadyGallatin.com.

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We are testing Gallatin County’s Community Notification System in Northern Gallatin County.

Community Members enrolling in the Gallatin County Community Notification System is one of the best tools we have to ensure individuals are accurately and promptly notified about incidents affecting locations they care about.

 Register Now!

When will this occur

• Friday, July 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM MST in Northern Gallatin County.

What this test will do

• Verify registered users receive text based alerts on the devices they have chosen for Northern Gallatin County (everything North of the mouth of the Gallatin Canyon)
• Messages will only be sent by text-based delivery methods (SMS, Everbridge App, Email).

What we are not doing for this test

• Sending voice telephone calls.
• Sending alerts to individuals who have not registered in the system.
• Sending a Wireless Emergency Alert or Emergency Alert System message.
• Sending notifications via media releases, social media, etc.

What you will see

You will see the following text message through your subscribed text delivery methods at 12:00 pm on Friday, July 31, 2026.

What area will receive the test notification

The test message will be sent to registered users throughout Northern Gallatin County.  To receive an alert for the test, you must have a location registered within the alerting area, or you must have the app installed and be located within the area at the time of the alert.

What should I do before the test

• Make sure you are registered in the Community Notification System, powered by Everbridge.
• If you are registered, verify your contact information and registered locations are current.
• Ensure your family and friends are all registered individually (don’t put multiple individual’s devices on one account).
• Download the Everbridge App from your app store (choose the blue Everbridge app) and enable notifications for the app.

What should I do after the test

• Nothing if you got alerted as expected.
• If something did not work as you expected, give us a call at (406) 548-0111.

Community Notification System

The Gallatin County Community Notification System is the sole emergency alerting platform in our service area for all cities, towns and unincorporated areas, to include Montana State University.  The platform is powered by Everbridge and allows for generation of alerts to opt in users, 911 telephone data, public source phone numbers, opt in incidents, wireless emergency alerts, emergency alert system and more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On the afternoon of Sunday, June 21, 2026, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to and investigated a shooting on Woodman Drive in Belgrade. The victim was transported to Bozeman Deaconess Regional Medical Center for treatment and has since been released. The victim’s name is not being released at this time.

Through the course of the investigation, deputies identified two suspects: Vincent Louie Herrera, 38, and Vanessa Herrera, 33, both of Belgrade. The Sheriff’s Office can confirm there is no active threat to the community, as this was an isolated incident and both individuals appear to have fled the state.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Vincent Louie Herrera for Attempted Deliberate Homicide. A separate warrant has been issued for Vanessa Herrera for Obstructing Justice. The Sheriff’s Office is actively working with local, state, and federal partners to locate and apprehend the suspects.

This incident remains under active investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office detective division at 406-582-2121 or email at SO-Detectives@gallatin.mt.gov.

For Immediate Release

In the early morning hours of Saturday, June 6, 2026, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol investigated a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred near the intersection of Lone Mountain Trail and Lone Mountain Ranch Road in Big Sky. The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased on scene. The decedent was identified as Mary Medford of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mary Medford during this time.

In the early morning hours of Monday, May 25, 2026, the Bozeman Police Department and Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a death that occurred following a fatal shooting in front of a local bar at the 200 block of East Main Street in Bozeman. The victim was transported to the Bozeman Deaconess Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The victim was identified as 29-year-old Sidney Callaghan of Seattle Washington. Sidney’s cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound of the neck and the manner is homicide.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sidney Callaghan during this time.

For Immediate Release

In the early morning hours of Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Bozeman PD, MT DCI, and other local, state and federal agencies, assisted the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a large-scale, multi-location operation targeting illegal drug trafficking activity in Gallatin County.

Search warrants were simultaneously executed at several locations throughout Gallatin County. This coordinated effort is the result of a long‑term investigation into drug distribution networks operating within the region. Multiple individuals were arrested on federal criminal charges.

This operation reflects the strong partnerships between local, state, and federal agencies working together to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs into our community and hold those responsible accountable. It is also a reflection of what can be accomplished when the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Law Enforcement pull in the same direction to make our communities safer.

As your Sheriff, I pledge my Office will continue to deliver on our primary mission of “keeping Gallatin County safe by enforcing the law and keeping the Peace”. I appreciate the exceptional professionalism displayed by our federal, state and local agencies. However, I also recognize there are some community members who are sensitive to our federal law enforcement partners. I want to thank those members for recognizing the importance of these missions and their cooperation by not interfering, disrupting, or obstructing this extensive and well-executed operation. This is also a result of solid relationships, communication, and transparency.

Operations like this don’t occur by federal agents flying into Bozeman and executing from there. It takes months of work by our local investigators, in cooperation with all our partners, and years of trust. The relationships we have formed and maintained are what makes these operations run safely while protecting our citizens. This is exactly what this community expects from its Sheriff’s Office, and we are proud to deliver on these expectations while protecting your quality of life.

For Immediate Release

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer travel across Montana and the unofficial start of the “100 Deadliest Days” — the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when serious injury and fatal crashes traditionally increase nationwide.

As roads become busier with holiday travelers, outdoor recreation, and community events, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents and visitors alike to make safety a priority throughout the holiday weekend and summer season.

“Memorial Day weekend is a time for families and friends to come together and enjoy the start of summer,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Spring. “We want everyone to arrive safely, enjoy their weekend responsibly, and make it home to their loved ones. Simple decisions, like planning for a sober ride, can prevent tragedies on our roadways.”

Throughout the holiday weekend, Gallatin County deputies will conduct increased traffic enforcement focused on impaired driving and other dangerous driving behaviors. The Sheriff’s Office will work alongside the Bozeman Police Department, Belgrade Police Department, Montana State University Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Gallatin County 911, and the Montana Department of Transportation’s Vision Zero initiative to help keep roads safe for residents and visitors alike.

Impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes in Montana, and law enforcement officials remind drivers that these crashes are entirely preventable.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to keep the following safety tips in mind this holiday weekend and throughout the summer:

• Plan for a sober ride before drinking alcohol. Call a taxi, use a rideshare app, or ask a sober friend for a ride.
• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Slow down and obey posted speed limits.
• Avoid distractions while driving.
• Watch for motorcycles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
• If you see dangerous or impaired driving, call 911 when it is safe to do so.

“Every driver plays a role in keeping our community safe,” Springer said. “Responsible choices behind the wheel protect not only you, but everyone sharing the road.”

For more information about Vision Zero, contact Tammy Ross with the Montana Department of Transportation at 406-444-9192 or tross@mt.gov.

Contact:  Patrick Lonergan (406) 548-0116
Release:  260513-01
Date:  May 13, 2026

Big Sky, MT – Big Sky public safety agencies will conduct a test of the Gallatin County Community Notification System in the Big Sky area on June 5, 2026, at 12:00 PM.  Individuals who have opted into the Community Notification System will receive a test message, allowing them to confirm they are receiving alerts as expected prior to the event of an actual emergency. This test also provides an opportunity for participants to verify that their contact information is current and for those not yet registered to enroll.  Registering for the Community Notification System ensures emergency officials can deliver timely, accurate information directly to individuals affected by an emergency situation.

More information on the test and how to register is available at:  https://www.readygallatin.com/community-notification-test-big-sky/

Notification tests for other areas of Gallatin County are planned for later this summer.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office
Date: May 1, 2026

Animal Cruelty Investigation Leads to Arrests and Rescue of Severely Neglected Animals

On April 29, 2026, deputies from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, alongside Animal Control units, executed a search warrant in the Clarkston area following an investigation into suspected animal cruelty.

During the search of the property and associated outbuildings, deputies located numerous animals in severe states of neglect. The animals recovered included eight horses, two donkeys, one cow, eleven dogs, eight guinea hens, and one cat. Deputies also discovered the carcasses of one horse, one cow, and one dog.

All livestock found alive were severely emaciated. A local veterinarian conducted an initial on‑site medical assessment and determined that the animals were suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, and severely neglected hooves.

Animal Control units from the Bozeman and Belgrade Police Departments assisted in the removal and transport of the animals. The Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol assisted with securing and moving the extremely untrained and unruly horses, which had to be pursued on foot and caught by hand throughout sloped pastureland.

All recovered livestock have been transported to a safe location where they will receive appropriate nutrition and veterinary care. The State Brand Inspector has been notified.

Miguel Lopez and Jewels Lynch were both arrested and charged with cruelty to animals.

The Sheriff’s Office is thankful for the support of numerous agencies, veterinarians, businesses, and the broader Clarkston community for their assistance in the completion of this investigation and in establishing care for the affected animals.

Press-Release-Clarkston-Animal-Cruelty-1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office
Date: May 1, 2026

Animal Cruelty Investigation Leads to Arrests and Rescue of Severely Neglected Animals

On April 29, 2026, deputies from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, alongside Animal Control units, executed a search warrant in the Clarkston area following an investigation into suspected animal cruelty.

During the search of the property and associated outbuildings, deputies located numerous animals in severe states of neglect. The animals recovered included eight horses, two donkeys, one cow, eleven dogs, eight guinea hens, and one cat. Deputies also discovered the carcasses of one horse, one cow, and one dog.

All livestock found alive were severely emaciated. A local veterinarian conducted an initial on‑site medical assessment and determined that the animals were suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, and severely neglected hooves.

Animal Control units from the Bozeman and Belgrade Police Departments assisted in the removal and transport of the animals. The Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol assisted with securing and moving the extremely untrained and unruly horses, which had to be pursued on foot and caught by hand throughout sloped pastureland.

All recovered livestock have been transported to a safe location where they will receive appropriate nutrition and veterinary care. The State Brand Inspector has been notified.

Miguel Lopez and Jewels Lynch were both arrested and charged with cruelty to animals.

The Sheriff’s Office is thankful for the support of the numerous agencies, veterinarians, businesses, and the broader Clarkston community for their assistance in the completion of this investigation and in establishing care for the affected animals.