Gallatin Media Center

PRESS RELEASE

Baldy Mountain Rescue

On August 31^st, 2023, at 9:36 pm, Gallatin County Dispatch received a 911 call from two hikers near Baldy Mountain in the Bridger Range. According to the caller, they had started at Fairy Lake early in the day, and one of the hikers had become extremely exhausted and both hikers were out of food and water. The party was unable to hike down, and with darkness setting in they requested search and rescue.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the Valley Section, as well as a helicopter from Billings Clinic MedFlight responded to the request. A hasty team hiked in from the M Trailhead and was able to access the party on foot where they assessed the patient and treated them for exhaustion and cold exposure. A second ground team used side by sides from Bridger Bowl, then hiked South to bring additional gear to the patient. The ground team was ultimately able to locate a landing zone for Billings MedFlight near the hikers. The patient was then assessed by a flight nurse, however due to weather, Billings MedFlight was unable to transport the patient. The party was assisted down the mountain by GCSSAR personnel throughout the night, but ultimately at daylight, they were flown off the mountain with the GCSSAR Heli Team.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind back country enthusiasts that even a day hike can go wrong quickly. Having enough gear to spend the night if necessary, as well as appropriate gear for the conditions and a way to communicate can greatly increase your chances when things go bad. Sheriff Springer would also like to thank the Valley Section, Heli Team, Comms Team, and Billings MedFlight for their exceptional work on a long and difficult rescue.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: August 31, 2023

On Saturday, April 29, 2023, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a death that occurred at the Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center. The victim was identified as 64-year-old Donna Ventura of Belgrade.

The Coroner’s Office investigation and autopsy results determined that Donna’s death was related to a food borne illness outbreak after consuming a meal at Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman. Donna’s cause of death was determined to be complications of severe gastritis due to probable food-borne toxin. Her manner of death is accidental.

Results of the Montana Department of Health and Human Services and Gallatin City-County Health Department investigation are available on the DPHHS website.

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

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For immediate release: August 29, 2023

Media contact:
Sean O’Callaghan, Gallatin County Planning Director
406-582-3130
sean.ocallaghan@gallatin.mt.gov

 

Progress Report on Flood Portion of Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Gallatin County is a participant in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) Program. This program offers landowners in County jurisdictional areas a discount on their flood insurance
premiums dependent on an evaluation and scoring of the county’s floodplain management program.

One of the activities that Gallatin County is currently receiving CRS credit for is the maintenance of the Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation Plan (adopted by Gallatin County on
January 5, 2022). To continue to receive credit for the Hazard Mitigation Plan, we are required to prepare an annual progress report on the flood-related portions of the Hazard Mitigation Plan and provide copies of that update to the County Commission and the media.

See the full progress report on the flood portion of the Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation Plan here.

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For immediate release: August 29, 2023 

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

 

Gallatin County Staff Hosting Property Tax Rebate Filing Workshop 

If you or a loved one, friend, neighbor or colleague needs assistance filing for the Montana property tax rebate, Gallatin County is hosting a workshop to assist residents through the process. 

The workshop will be on Tuesday, Sept. 5 from 1-5 PM at the Gallatin County Courthouse (311 W. Main St. in Bozeman) Community Room on the third floor.  

Trained county staff will be on hand to help folks file for their rebates. Large monitors will be available for the visually impaired. 

Staff can help find the information needed to file for the rebate, like the home’s geo-code and taxes. However, if you have any dependents in your home, please be sure to bring their Social Security numbers with you.  

The Montana Property Tax Rebate is a rebate of up to $675 per year of property taxes paid on a principal residence. There is a rebate available for property taxes paid for tax year 2022 and another rebate available for property taxes paid for tax year 2023.  

Taxpayers claim this rebate until Oct. 1. They can do this by either filing online or submitting a paper form. 

For more information on the rebates, visit www.getmyrebate.mt.gov.  

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Belgrade Police Department

Name: Dustin Lensing, Chief of Police

Phone: 406.388.4262

 

Montanans: Plan for a Sober Ride This Labor Day Holiday

Montana Law Enforcement planning increased patrols in Gallatin County over the holiday weekend.

Residents encouraged to plan for a sober ride home.

• Local law enforcement and the Montana Highway Patrol are increasing their presence and patrols during the Labor Day weekend
• Montana has the highest share of alcohol-related traffic deaths in the U.S. at 45%. In 2021, 63% of all fatalities were the result of impaired driving
• To ensure the safety of communities across Montana, law enforcement encourages residents to make a plan to get a sober ride home before they start drinking and celebrating during the Labor Day weekend
• Labor Day marks the end of the “100 Deadliest Days,” the period where most traffic fatalities occur in Montana and nationwide

August 28, 2023, Belgrade, Mont. – As Labor Day weekend approaches, Gallatin County law enforcement agencies and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) are encouraging Montanans to plan a sober ride home before they celebrate. Labor Day weekend is the final three days of the “100 Deadliest Days,” the period where most traffic fatalities occur. MHP will be increasing patrols across the state and making DUI arrests to ensure every Montanan gets home safely this holiday weekend. MHP and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) are committed to reducing fatalities and severe injuries on Montana’s roadways.

According to MDT, if drivers have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher, they could receive a DUI charge and other serious consequences, including having their driver’s license revoked, being required to take mandatory classes, and receiving possible jail time, as well as up to $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

“We want everyone to enjoy the holiday weekend, so make sure you plan for a sober ride home,” said Chief Dustin Lensing from the Belgrade Police Department. “Labor Day weekend is full of travel and end-of-summer get-togethers. To make sure we’re all able to have fun safely, start your weekend by making a plan. Whether you’re hanging by the river or going to a BBQ, always use a sober ride.”

MHP is on high alert during the holiday weekend because of Montana’s sobering statistics: :

• Montana has the highest fatality rates in the nation for the number of deaths caused by impaired drivers per vehicle mile traveled
• The state has the highest share of alcohol-related traffic deaths at 45% (2021)
• 63% of all traffic fatalities in Montana are the result of impaired driving (2021)
• 1,268 people were killed in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver from 2012-2021

 

“By designating a sober driver or using a rideshare or taxi service, you’re making our community safer,” said Chief Lensing.  “Make sure you celebrate responsibly as you gather with friends and family for the end of summer. Together we can keep our community safe.”

Montana Department of Transportation — Vision Zero
This is a Vision Zero message from the Montana Department of Transportation. This and other enforcement and educational campaigns are strategies to reach Vision Zero — zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Montana roadways. For more information about Vision Zero, contact Janet Kenny, Montana Department of Transportation, at 406-444-7417 or jakenny@mt.gov.

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PRESS RELEASE

Blackmore Mountain Trail

On August 18, 2023, at 10:00 am Gallatin County 911 was contacted regarding an injured trail runner on the Blackmore Mountain Trail. The runner had hyperextended their knee and had limited mobility and loss of feeling in their foot.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section and Heli Team, as well as AMR medical personnel responded to the Blackmore Mountain Trailhead. Search and Rescue volunteers deployed a one wheeled litter up the trail to meet with the injured runner.  Volunteers located the patient about 5 miles up the trail where they assessed their injuries and assisted the runner in getting back to the trailhead.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind backcountry enthusiasts to be prepared when recreating in the backcountry. Having the ability to communicate with rescuers cuts down the amount of time it can take to get medical attention when things go bad.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Sourdough Trail Rescue

On August 16, 2023, at 12:35pm Gallatin County Dispatch received a 911 call that an individual had crashed their mountain bike 5 to 6 miles up the Sourdough Trail. According to the reporting party, the individual had sustained a broken arm and a possible head injury resulting from the bicycle accident.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section and Hyalite Fire Department medical personnel responded to the Sourdough Trailhead. Search and Rescue volunteers deployed several UTV’s up the trail to meet with the mountain biker.  Volunteers located the patient about 6 miles up the trail where they assessed their injuries and packaged the patient.  The bicyclist was transported back to the trailhead and transferred to the awaiting Hyalite Ambulance. Custer Gallatin National Forest Service personnel who were in the area doing trail work also assisted by transporting the bike back to the trailhead for the patient. The patient was ultimately transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center for further evaluation.

Sheriff Springer would like to commend the individual that called 911 and provided dispatch with the cyclist’s location and extent of the cyclist’s injuries. This type of information can expedite rescue and ensures our crews have all necessary supplies, resulting in a faster and more efficient rescue.

Photos courtesy of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Granite Peak Climber Rescues

 

On August 13, 2023, at 10:44am Gallatin County Dispatch received an agency assist request from Park County Sheriff’s Office.  Park County had received a call from the International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) after an emergency beacon activation reporting a climber had fallen and was injured about 200 feet from the summit of Granite Peak near Cooke City.  The climber was the guide in a group of 4 and due to the injuries, location, and experience of the other climbers, they were requesting help to extract the group from the mountain.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Heli Team and Comms Team responded.  After a reconnaissance flight around the area, a GCSSAR paramedic was inserted near the climber’s location.  The medical assessment found the patients injuries didn’t require immobilization, which meant the patient was able to be flown to an awaiting Guardian Flight medical helicopter in a “screamer suit.”  The remaining members were ultimately flown off the mountain and back to the trailhead.

Just as the first mission was wrapping up, a call for help was received again from Granite Peak. A second group of climbers had a member of their group fall and sustain injuries. The injured party was short hauled off Granite Peak and transported by a private party to a higher level of medical care.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind recreationalists that accidents can happen to anyone and being prepared with a GPS communication device can make all the difference. The backcountry is vast and rescues can take hours, so being prepared with proper equipment, extra clothing, food, and water, is essential in emergency situations.

 

Photos courtesy of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, August 6, 2023, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with Montana Highway Patrol and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office investigated a fatal motor vehicle accident between a motorcycle and a pickup truck. The accident occurred at Mile Marker 15 on the Frontage Road near Belgrade. The driver of the motorcycle was taken to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center where he died of his injuries. The victim was identified as 28-year-old Hunter Berry of Manhattan. His cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries of the head and the manner was ruled an accident. The driver of the pickup truck fled the scene after the crash. Law enforcement is still looking for the driver of the pickup truck at this time.

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

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Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner

For immediate release: August 4, 2023

Media contact:
Amanda Hartman, Marking & Sponsorship Coordinator
406-582-3275
amanda.hartman@gallatin.mt.gov

2023 Big Sky Country State Fair Attendance

Final attendance numbers are in from the annual Big Sky Country State Fair held in Bozeman July 19-23. The regional attraction drew 46,513 people; numbers were up 15% from last year 2022 despite the heat on Friday-Sunday.

Food Row and Carnival sales held strong in 2023 with an increase in Food Row over 10% and Carnival saw a record-breaking day on Saturday. Before the heat came, the Big Sky Country State Fair had a record-breaking opening day with 10,193 people and another record-breaking Thursday with 7,517 people. 4-H Market Sale also had a strong showing and was up
from 2022!

“2023 was another amazing fair,” said Caitlin Quisenberry, director of the Gallatin County Fairgrounds.

See the full press release here.

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Photos courtesy of the Big Sky Country State Fair.