Gallatin Media Center

 

 

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.

_______________________________

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.

 

PRESS RELEASE

Lizard Lake Rescue

On August 1, 2023, at 1:20 pm, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call for an injured horseback rider on Lizard Lake Trail approximately 2.5 miles from the Cache Creek Trailhead. The injured rider was bucked from the horse and then stepped on. The rider reported injuries to the hip, lower back, leg, and hand.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section deployed a hasty team on e-bikes as well as ground litter teams. The Heli Team was also requested to access and evacuate the patient. The helicopter was able to land near the patient, load them in the helicopter, and fly to the Sage Creek Trailhead where they were transferred into the care of Big Sky Fire Department for ground transport to Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center.

Sheriff Springer wants to remind residents and guest of Gallatin County that horse accidents can be a common occurrence in the backcountry. This rescue was expedited because the group had a GPS device to provide an accurate location, radios to allow for communication with rescuers, and were able to provide clear and accurate information on the condition of the terrain, condition of the patient, and patient needs.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: Aug. 1, 2023

Media contact:
Sandy Erhardt, Gallatin County Clerk of District Court
serhardt@mt.gov

Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s Office Resuming Regular Public Office Hours

The Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s Office is resuming regular public office hours this week. 

Since September 2022, due to short staffing, the Clerk of District Court’s Office has been closing to the public at 3 PM each business day to enable staff to catch up on office work. 

The department is now up to staffing levels that will allow it to resume normal public office hours. 

Beginning Aug. 1, the office will be open Mondays through Fridays from 8 AM to 5 PM. 

The Clerk of District Court’s Office is located on the second floor of the Law and Justice Center (615 S. 16th Ave. in Bozeman). 

Duties for this office include keeping records for District Court, providing marriage licenses, keeping minutes for court proceedings, filing all actions for every case filed in District Court, and more. 

We thank the public for their patience during these months as the Clerk of District Court has worked to hire and train employees. 

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For immediate release: July 28, 2023

Detection of Harmful Algal Blooms at Hyalite Reservoir and Elk Grove Park Pond 

As Montanans and visitors head to local ponds, lakes and reservoirs for late summer fun, public health official urge citizens to know the health risks of Harmful Algal Blooms, or “HABs”. 

 HABs are caused by blue-green algae that are native to Montana’s freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Not all varieties of blue-green algae are harmful, but some can produce dangerous cyanotoxin, including microcystin.  Blue-green algae blooms often look like pea soup, grass clippings, or green latex paint. The algae are usually suspended in the water or appear as floating mats; they do not grow from the bottom with roots like other water plants. 

On July 26 and July 27, Harmful Algal Blooms were detected at Hyalite Reservoir and Elk grove Park Pond.

See the full press release here.

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For immediate release: July 24, 2023

In the morning hours of Saturday, July 22, 2023, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Forest Service, and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a fatal bear mauling on the Buttermilk Creek trail near West Yellowstone.

The victim was identified as 48-year-old Amie Adamson of Derby, Kansas. At the time of her death, Amie was hiking or running on the trail and would often do so in the early morning. After investigation, the bear attack did not appear to be predatory. Amie’s cause of death was determined to be exsanguination due to a bear mauling. The manner is accidental.

Sheriff Dan Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Amie Adamson during this time.

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