Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: April 17, 2025

A fatal motor vehicle accident occurred on April 17, 2025, at approximately 5:50 p.m., on U.S. Highway 191 near mile marker 68, resulting in the death of Jozie Beth Hrenchir, 48, of Gallatin Gateway. 

The crash involved a pickup truck and a Big Sky Fire Department ambulance. Emergency personnel from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Big Sky Fire Department, and Gallatin Gateway Fire responded to the scene. Ms. Hrenchir was pronounced deceased at the scene by first responders. Additional individuals involved in the incident were transported to a local hospital with minor or no injuries. 

Initial reports indicate that Hrenchir’s northbound vehicle drifted from its lane of travel into oncoming traffic, striking the southbound ambulance. 

At this time, it has not been determined whether speed, impairment, or other factors contributed to the crash. 

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer.

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For Immediate Release: April 17, 2025

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) are reporting Montana’s first cases of measles since 1990.

Click Here to read the full press release.

Media Contacts:

Jon Ebelt, Communications Director, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936
Holly Whaley, Communications Specialist, GCCHD (406) 579-4232

For immediate release: April 17, 2025

The Missouri River Drug Task Force (MRDTF), in coordination with local law enforcement agencies, detained multiple individuals in Bozeman on April 17 in connection with an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.

A search warrant was executed at a residence in Bozeman on Tschache Lane near North 19th Avenue, resulting in the seizure of evidence related to illegal drug activity. Three individuals were taken into custody for suspected drug distribution and immigration violations, and Immigration Services has been notified. The individuals were directly linked to a drug trafficking investigation conducted last week in the same area.

No charges have been filed at this time, as further investigation is currently underway.

The Missouri River Drug Task Force focuses on identifying and holding accountable those responsible for bringing illegal drugs into our community. The task force urges community members to report any suspicious activity or information related to drug distribution by contacting local law enforcement or submitting tips anonymously online.

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For immediate release: April 17, 2025 

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

Ballots Mailing Friday for May 6 School and Special Districts Election 

On Friday, April 18, Gallatin County will mail ballots to eligible active registered voters in school and special districts holding elections this year. This is a mail ballot election, meaning no polling places will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, May 6. 

Voters who live in the following districts will receive ballots. If you do not live in one of these districts, you will not receive a ballot. 

Schools: 

• Amsterdam Elementary 

• Anderson Elementary 

• Belgrade 

• Bozeman 

• Big Sky 

• LaMotte Elementary 

• Monforton Elementary 

• Three Forks 

• Willow Creek 

• West Yellowstone 

Special Districts: 

• Big Sky Resort Tax District 

• Firelight Meadows County Water & Sewer (proposed) 

• Hebgen Basin Rural Resort Area & Tax District (proposed) 

Ballots should begin arriving in mailboxes over the weekend or early next week. If you don’t receive your ballot, or if it is damaged or destroyed, you can request a replacement through 8 PM on Election Day. 

Ballots must be received by the Gallatin County Elections Office or at a designated drop location by 8 PM on May 6. Postmarked ballots that arrive after Election Day cannot be counted. If you’re returning your ballot by mail, we recommend sending it no later than Friday, April 25 to ensure it arrives on time. You can also track your ballot and view your sample ballot by visiting www.MyVoterPageMT.com. 

Drop-off locations for this election are: 

• Gallatin County Elections Office
  311 W. Main St., room 210, Bozeman 

• Belgrade School District administrative office
  312 N. Weaver St. 

• Big Sky Water & Sewer District office
  561 Little Coyote Rd. 

All locations are open during their regular weekday business hours through Monday, May 5. On Election Day, all three sites will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM for ballot drop-off. 

Voters who prefer to vote in person may do so at the Gallatin County Elections Office. 

For questions about specific school district candidates or ballot measures, please contact your school district directly. 

Voter Registration 

Gallatin County is currently in the late registration period. To register to vote or update your registration (such as a name or address change), you must do so in person at the Gallatin County Elections Office. 

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, through May 2. The office will also be open for registration and ballot issuance from 8 AM to noon on Monday, May 5, and 7 AM to 8 PM on Election Day. 

To check your voter registration status or find more information, visit www.MyVoterPageMT.com. For other questions, contact the Elections Office at gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-582-3060, or visit www.GallatinVotes.com. 

 

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For immediate release: April 16, 2025 

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

Logan Landfill Hosting Free Electronic Waste Recycling Event in Honor of Earth Day 

The Gallatin Solid Waste Management District and Recycle Boise are teaming up to host the annual Free Electronic Waste Recycling Event on Saturday, April 26 at the Logan Landfill (10585 Two Dog Road) from 8 AM to 2:30 PM. 

Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world. These items often contain valuable materials that can be reused—and hazardous components that shouldn’t end up in our soil or water. By recycling your e-waste, you’re helping protect our community’s health and environment, conserving resources, and keeping Gallatin County clean for future generations. 

Recycle Boise is R2v3 and RIOS certified and will handle all collected materials. Devices with any personal data will be kept secure until the data is destroyed. This is the perfect opportunity to responsibly get rid of old electronics that no longer work or are just taking up space. 

Accepted items include: 

• Computers, monitors, printers 

• TVs (CRT, LCD, and rear-projection) 

• Radios, mobile phones, digital cameras 

• Routers, scanners, fax machines 

• DVD players, stereos, stereo equipment 

• Remote controls, keyboards, cords, and accessories 

• Microwaves (clean, no tray) 

• Servers, tablets, VCRs, and digital clock radios 

Not sure if your item qualifies as e-waste? Give us a call at 406-582-2493. 

The event has been hosted since 2010 and each year, we collect around 30,000 pounds of e-waste per event. Let’s keep that momentum going! 

Customers with e-waste only do not need to stop at the scale. There will be signs directing them to the e-waste building. Customers with household or construction waste items will need to stop at the scale. Regular landfill fees still apply for any non-electronic items brought for disposal. 

Electronic waste is also accepted year-round at Logan Landfill for a fee. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM, and Saturdays from 7 AM to 4:30 PM (summer hours). 

Please note that household hazardous waste will not be accepted at this event. However, the Bozeman Convenience Site offers free drop-off on the second Saturday of each month. Visit our website for details. 

For more information, contact Patty at 406-582-2493 or patty.howard@gallatin.mt.gov, or visit GallatinSolidWaste.org. 

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For immediate release: April 16, 2025

Media contact:
Hali Kapperud, Gallatin County DUI Task Force Coordinator
406-585-1492
hali.kapperud@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County DUI Task Force Hosting Annual Law Enforcement Award Ceremony

The Gallatin County DUI Task Force is hosting the annual Law Enforcement Award Ceremony on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 6 PM in the Gallatin County Courthouse Community Room at 311 W. Main St. in Bozeman. The top law enforcement officers from each agency with jurisdiction in Gallatin County will be recognized for their efforts and contributions to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of those people who made the decision to drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs in 2024. The award ceremony is open to the public.

 The Gallatin County DUI Task Force is a group of volunteers who are passionate about helping to reduce the incidence of driving under the influence, DUI crashes and deaths related to those committing DUIs. The Task Force works to increase the awareness of the dangers, implications, and severity of DUIs through education and civic outreach.

 For questions regarding the award ceremony or the DUI Task Force, please contact the DUI Task Force Coordinator at hali.kapperud@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-585-1492.

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For immediate release: April 4, 2025

At the end of March 2025, the Missouri River Drug Task Force (MRDTF) received information from a local apartment complex maintenance employee who reported finding ounce-quantities of suspected methamphetamine, scales, and baggies inside of an apartment bedroom while conducting routine maintenance. MRDTF followed up on this lead in coordination with Montana State University Campus.

Supported by Montana State University and Bozeman Police departments and Federal Drug Enforcement agents, an April 2 search warrant was executed. The results of the searched warrant yielded three adult Hispanic males later determined to be in the United States illegally, approximately 2 pounds of methamphetamine, over 1 pound of cocaine, approximately $45,000, and four motor vehicles seized. All three males were booked into the Gallatin County Detention Center where they were held on drug related charges.

On the heels of the university drug bust, on April 3, MRDTF conducted a surveillance operation. During this operation a Bozeman Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop during which the officer noted observations consistent with the distribution of narcotics. Through consent of the owner, a search of this vehicle yielded approximately 1 ounce of cocaine located in a concealed container and approximately $500 cash. The Hispanic male later attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended and transported to the Gallatin County Detention Center where he was booked on drug related charges. During his interview, the male denied being a part of a drug distribution network.

Based on intelligence gleaned from this surveillance operation, MRDTF investigators were granted a search warrant for the male’s apartment located within the city limits of Bozeman. This search warrant was executed in the early morning hours of April 4 by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office MRDTF investigators, supported by the Montana Department of Criminal Investigations and the Bozeman Police Department.

An adult Hispanic female was detained while investigators completed the search. This search warrant yielded approximately 1 pound of cocaine and approximately $145,000 U.S. currency. The adult male and adult female were booked into the Gallatin County Detention Center where they were held on drug related charges. Both individuals were determined to be in the United States illegally.

These operations culminated in the seizure of over 2 pounds of methamphetamine, 2 pounds of cocaine, $190,000 cash, four motor vehicles and the arrest of five illegal aliens.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer praised the great work of observant citizens and the Missouri River Drug Task Force, and the coordination of multiple law enforcement agencies.

“This operation illustrates the long-term detrimental effects felt locally of unsecure borders and the need for strong community collaboration and enforcement amongst all of the cultural communities in Gallatin County. One observant citizen was unafraid to make a report and had a major impact on drug trafficking known to exist in Gallatin County,” Springer said.

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For immediate release: April 4, 2025

Media contact:
Scott Randall, Consultant Project Manager
406-447-5005
srandall@rpa-eng.com

Gallatin County Launches Second Virtual Open House for Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Action Plan

Gallatin County is excited to announce the launch of the second Virtual Open House for its Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Action Plan. This open house will be available from Friday, April 4 through Sunday, May 4 and invites residents, stakeholders, and community members to provide valuable feedback on the Draft Action Plan and its proposed safety recommendations.

This virtual event will share an overview of the proposed recommendations designed to reduce transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries throughout Gallatin County. The SS4A Action Plan focuses on improving transportation safety across rural areas and the urban-rural interface near Bozeman and Belgrade. These cities recently initiated their own SS4A planning efforts, and the county-wide plan will address safety issues specific to rural regions and their connections to these urban centers.

“We are excited to share the Draft Action Plan and proposed recommendations with the public,” said Cola Rowley, Gallatin County Deputy Administrator and project manager for the SS4A Action Plan. “Input from our community is essential to ensuring the plan reflects the diverse needs of all roadway users. Whether you walk, bike, drive, or use public transportation, this plan will work to make Gallatin County’s streets safer for everyone.”

Focus Areas: Targeting the Most Critical Safety Issues

In order to focus limited resources effectively, the SS4A Action Plan has identified several key crash types that predominantly contribute to community safety problems. By addressing these focus areas, the plan aims to make a measurable impact on reducing fatalities and serious injuries in Gallatin County. The four primary focus areas are:

• Run-off-the-Road Crashes
• Intersection Crashes
• Driver Age (Younger and Older Drivers)
• High-Risk Behaviors (Speed, Impairment, Seatbelt Use, Distractions)

These focus areas are at the core of the SS4A Action Plan, guiding the development of strategies, projects, programs, and policies that will be implemented to improve safety.

Proposed Recommendations: Comprehensive Strategies for Safer Roads

The SS4A Action Plan outlines a series of strategies designed to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in Gallatin County and generally improve transportation safety. These strategies include example projects, programs, and policies to help the community and its partners work toward safer streets for all users.

Several specific projects, programs, and policies are also recommended to proactively address identified safety concerns from all angles:

• 19 Projects: Infrastructure-focused efforts such as enhanced signage, improved traffic control, and shoulder widening to improve safety.
• 8 Programs: Combination of infrastructure-based programs (like curve signage, shoulder widening, and vegetation control) and behavioral-based initiatives (such as driver education and public awareness campaigns) aimed at reducing crashes and promoting safe driving.
• 3 Policies: Policy changes aimed at improving road safety, such as establishing prioritized snow removal routes, setting lighting standards, and implementing regulations for safe driving practices.

Virtual Open House Details

The Virtual Open House will include a variety of interactive materials, including a video, survey, and summary content, allowing participants to engage with the plan and provide their feedback on key safety priorities and proposed solutions. This is an excellent opportunity to ensure the community’s concerns and ideas are reflected in the final plan.

Event Details:

• What: Gallatin County Safe Streets for All Virtual Open House
• When: Friday, April 4 – Sunday, May 4
• Where: Online at GallatinCountySS4A.com

A Collaborative Process

The SS4A Action Plan is being developed through extensive community input, comprehensive data analysis, alignment with past planning efforts, and stakeholder feedback. This virtual open house is one of several ways the county is gathering input, ensuring that the plan reflects the experiences and safety needs of residents across Gallatin County.

About the Safe Streets for All Action Program

The SS4A initiative is part of a nationwide program aimed at reducing transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries. In 2023, Gallatin County received funding to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. The plan identifies the most significant roadway safety concerns in the community and outlines projects and strategies to address them. Action Plans are the foundation of the SS4A grant program. Once a community has an approved Action Plan, it can apply for additional funding to implement the plan’s projects and strategies, including infrastructural, behavioral, and/or operational activities.

How to Participate

Visit GallatinCountySS4A.com during the open house period to explore the materials, review the Draft Action Plan, and participate in the survey to share your thoughts.

Feedback can be submitted at any time through the website or by contacting the consultant project manager, Scott Randall, via email at srandall@rpa-eng.com, by phone at 406-447-5005, or by mail at 3147 Saddle Drive, Helena, MT 59601.

For more information about the SS4A program or to access the Virtual Open House, please visit GallatinCountySS4A.com.

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For immediate release: April 4, 2025

In the afternoon hours of Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office investigated a fatality that occurred in the Dakota Bowl, an out-of-bounds area of the Big Sky Resort. The skier was found unresponsive by ski patrol approximately 200 feet below the ridge at the bottom of a rock field.

Ski patrol initiated life-saving measures and transported the skier to the First Aid Room where he was pronounced dead. The skier was identified as 63-year-old Jon Lamb of Big Sky. An autopsy is scheduled, and cause and manner of death are pending autopsy results. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the death as the incident occurred in Madison County.

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

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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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