Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: May 21, 2025 

Media contact:
Eric Semerad, Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder/Election Administrator
406-582-3054
eric.semerad@gallatin.mt.gov
 

Municipal Candidate Filing Period Shortened Due to New State Law 

As a result of a new state law enacted earlier this month, the timeframe for filing as a candidate in the November 4 municipal election has been reduced. 

This fall, voters in Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, and West Yellowstone will elect members to their city commissions and councils. A full list of available seats can be found here. 

Candidates interested in running for these municipal offices must file their paperwork during the new filing window, which opens on Tuesday, May 27, and closes at 5 PM on Wednesday, June 11. 

Filing forms are available here. Completed forms must be submitted to the Gallatin County Elections Office either in person or by mail. Please note that forms must be received by the office no later than 5 PM on June 11; postmarks will not be accepted. 

The Gallatin County Elections Office is located at:
311 W. Main St., Room 201
Bozeman, MT 59715 

Several candidates have already submitted their paperwork under the original filing window of April 17 through June 16. Those filings will still be accepted and remain valid under the new law. These individuals do not need to refile. 

Additional information for potential candidates can be found here. 

For questions, please contact the Gallatin County Elections Office at 406-582-3060 or gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov.  

### 

For immediate release: May 14, 2025

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

Selected for Jury Duty? Don’t Delay! Respond to Your Postcard Promptly

Have you received a jury duty postcard in the mail? You are not alone.

Gallatin County District Court and Justice Court have each selected new jury pools for their 2025–2026 jury terms. Approximately 8,500 residents were notified by District Court last week, and 4,500 residents selected by Justice Court will begin receiving notices this week. Names were randomly drawn from a combined list of registered voters, licensed drivers, and Montana ID card holders. 

District Court handles cases like felonies, larger civil cases, and family law matters. Justice Court handles small claims, misdemeanors and traffic violations outside city limits, and other limited-jurisdiction cases. 

If you received a postcard from either of these courts, here is what you need to know: 

You are not being summoned for a specific trial…yet. You have been identified as a potential juror for the upcoming year-long term. 

Respond promptly: 

• District Court recipients (white postcard) must complete their juror questionnaire within 10 days. 

• Justice Court recipients (blue postcard) must complete theirs within 7 days. 

Each postcard includes detailed instructions on how to complete your questionnaire, so be sure to read and follow those closely! 

And do not delay. Failure to respond on time may result in a personal visit from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office. This places unnecessary strain on law enforcement and can delay the judicial process for others. 

If you were selected by both courts, contact District Court and they can help remove you from one of the pools. 

Please note: There are several other courts in Gallatin County that maintain their own jury pools, including the courts in Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, and West Yellowstone, as well as the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office. If you received a notice from one of these, please refer directly to that court for specific juror information. 

###

For immediate release: May 13, 2025

Erin Taylor, Chair of the Gallatin County Mental Health Local Advisory Council
406-539-0365
erin.taylor@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County Mental Health Local Advisory Council Hosting “Salons and Saloons” Outreach Event for Hospitality Workers

The Gallatin Mental Health Local Advisory Council is proud to host the second annual Salons and Saloons, a free community event designed specifically for individuals working in hospitality—servers, bartenders, hairstylists, baristas, estheticians, and more.  

Taking place on Monday, May 19 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Gallatin Labor Temple at 422 E. Mendenhall St. in Bozeman, this event aims to empower frontline workers with tools, knowledge, and connections to support patrons who may be experiencing mental health challenges.  

Attendees will hear from staff with the Gallatin Mobile Crisis Unit Team and The Help Center, as well as connect with representatives from local mental health organizations offering community support.  

Appetizers and beverages will be served.  

Whether you work behind a bar or a salon chair, this event is an opportunity to learn how to respond with confidence and compassion when someone needs help. 

###

 

On May 6, 2025, multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Bozeman Police Department, and Montana Highway Patrol, were involved in a vehicle pursuit following a reported road rage incident involving a weapon.

At approximately 1:21 p.m., law enforcement responded to reports of a road rage incident in which a weapon was brandished. The suspect fled the scene, prompting a multi-agency pursuit. During the incident, a Bozeman Police vehicle was struck by the suspect’s vehicle. One officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and his K-9 was uninjured. One adult male is in custody.

The Bozeman Police Department has requested the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office investigate the matter. This is an active investigation; more details will be released later.

 

On May 3rd, 2025, at 6:32 p.m., Gallatin County 911 Dispatch received a call from an individual who was stranded on Baldy Mountain. The subject had attempted to travel from the Bridger Ridge trail toward the Sipes Canyon trailhead and encountered deep snow. After “post-holing” in waist deep snow in shorts and a t-shirt for a time, the subject had superficial injuries to the legs and was cold and exhausted.

Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office deputies requested GCSSAR assistance to locate and assist the subject. The subject had adequate food, water, and cell phone battery, but no warm clothing. The determination was made that the safest course of action would be a helicopter rescue which would more quickly mitigate the risk of hypothermia and not require rescuers to risk their own safety while post-holing in the dark.

The subject remained in contact with rescuers via cell-phone and was able to regain the ridge, where they were picked up by the GCSSAR Heli Team and Central Copters Inc. and flown to the Search & Rescue facility at the Bozeman Fairgrounds. The subject did not require any further medical attention and was given a GCSO courtesy ride to their hotel.

Gallatin County Sheriff Daniel Springer would like to thank Central Copters and the SAR Heli team members who ensured a successful rescue. Furthermore, he would like to remind hikers that conditions at altitude are often not the same as at the trailhead, especially in the spring, so it is always a good idea to bring warm clothing and dress in layers. Finally, when pressed for time, a shortcut may seem like a good idea, but it is better to return by the known safe route you took to get there, as alternate routes may have unexpected hazards.

For immediate release: May 1, 2025

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to report that Helen Ayotte has been safely located.

Helen was found in Bozeman during a traffic stop conducted by Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office deputies. She is safe, and arrangements are now being made to support her ongoing safety and well-being.

We sincerely thank the Ayotte family and the community for their vigilance, cooperation, and support throughout this effort. Your help was instrumental in ensuring Helen’s safe return.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office
April 30, 2025

Bozeman, Montana – On April 29, 2025, at approximately 1402 hours, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a deceased individual in the Moffit Gulch area. Deputies and emergency medical personnel arrived on scene and confirmed the presence of a deceased adult female.

The individual has been identified as Lisa Gillette, a resident of Bozeman, Montana. Her next of kin have been notified.
At this time, no foul play is suspected. However, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office will continue to investigate the matter until the cause and manner of death are determined.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Gillette during this difficult time.

For immediate release: April 30, 2024 

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

Gallatin County Commission Approves Over $1 Million for Public Open Lands Projects 

Thirteen local projects aimed at enhancing parks, trails, and outdoor access just got a boost from Gallatin County. On Tuesday, April 29, the County Commission unanimously approved $1,099,016 in funding through the voter-approved Open Lands Program to support community-driven improvements across the region. 

The projects, which span Bozeman, Belgrade, Three Forks, West Yellowstone, Four Corners, Big Sky, Bridger Canyon, Gallatin Canyon, and beyond, will enhance trails, parks, river access, and public lands enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. 

Among the funded efforts is a new 6.25-mile natural surface mountain bike trail to be built in collaboration by the Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association/The Dirt Concern, Bridger Bowl, and Crosscut Mountain Sports Center. The $100,000 awarded by the county will help support phase one of the project. 

Other projects receiving funding include: 

• City of Bozeman – Construction of a splash pad at Story Mill Community Park – $100,000 

• Gallatin River Task Force – Parking improvements for Hebgen River Access – $100,000 

• City of Belgrade – Mayfair Meadows bike park construction – $100,000 

• Headwaters Trail System – Trail surface and pedestrian bridge maintenance – $100,000 

• Trout Unlimited – Mandeville Creek restoration – $90,000 

• Gallatin Valley Land Trust – Sunset Hills all-abilities trail enhancements – $100,000 

• HRDC – Construction of pedestrian pathway through the Gallatin County Rest Home site – $99,998 

• Monforton School Foundation – Monforton Elementary School playground restoration – $12,110 

• Downtown Business Partnership – Construction of the I-Ho Pomeroy Peace Park – $75,000 

• Bridger Ski Foundation – Winter trails grooming and enhancement – $100,000 

• Grow Wild – Weed management, trailhead signage, and firewise landscaping in Gallatin Canyon – $34,100 

• Gallatin County – Sypes Canyon trailhead improvements – $76,808 

“I’m very pleased that the slate of projects hits all corners of our community,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Jennifer Boyer. “This really reflects our community and the diversity of users and needs.” 

Funding for these projects comes from Gallatin County’s Open Space Levy, which voters approved in 2018. The levy is projected to generate over $4.36 million in 2025. While most of the funds support conservation easements for private landowners, the County Commission designated $1.09 million this year for “other eligible projects”—including land acquisition, capital improvements, and maintenance work that furthers the levy’s goals. 

This year, a record 19 project proposals were submitted, totaling over $1.5 million in funding requests. The Gallatin County Open Lands Board reviewed and scored each proposal before recommending the final slate of projects to the Commission. 

More information on the funded projects, including applications, scores, and supporting materials, is available on the Commission’s agenda. 

###

Headwaters Trail System in Three Forks, photo courtesy of Gallatin County

 

Trailhead signage in Big Sky, courtesy of Grow Wild

Rendering of future I-Ho Pomeroy Peace Park in Bozeman, courtesy of Downtown Business Partnership:

Photo of Bridger Bowl courtesy of Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association/The Dirt Concern

 

 

For Immediate Release: April 29, 2025

The Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) has confirmed two additional measles cases among household members of previously identified cases in Gallatin County, bringing the total number of cases to seven. These individuals, who were not immunized against measles, were being monitored for symptoms while isolating at home.

Read the full press release here.

 

For immediate release: April 29, 2025

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 15-year-old Helen Ayotte, who has been reported as a runaway.

Helen was last seen on April 24, 2025, in Bozeman, Montana.

She is described as:

• Height: 5 feet 5 inches

• Weight: 100 pounds

• Eyes: Green

• Hair: Medium-length, dark brown

• Clothing: Black pants, white Nike shoes, a sweatshirt (possibly tan), and a black-and-white checkered Vans ballcap

• Vehicle: She may be traveling in a 2022 silver Nissan Kicks with Montana license plates

If you have any information about Helen’s whereabouts or see the vehicle described, please call the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office at 406-582-2100 or dial 911 immediately.

Your help can make the difference. Please help us bring Helen home safely.

###