Gallatin Media Center

PRESS RELEASE

Gallatin River Rescue

On July 3, 2023, at 6:12 PM Gallatin County Dispatch received information that a family had overturned their paddle-board and were stranded on an island on the Gallatin River near Central Park Road. The family was unable to swim to shore due to the fast moving water conditions.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the Valley Section responded to the area. Volunteers reached the party on the island and assessed all members for injuries. One individual had an injured knee and required GCSSAR assistance to safely navigate the terrain. The rescue team was able to bring the family and injured person safely to shore where they were evaluated by members of Central Valley Fire Department and Manhattan Fire Department.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind the public that rivers in Gallatin County, while beautiful and enjoyable, are powerful and sometimes conceal danger below the surface. Wearing proper flotation devices as well as packing appropriate clothing and gear for the worst conditions one may encounter is a good practice for staying safe.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

M Trail Rescue

On July 2, 2023 at 12:57 pm Gallatin County Dispatch received information that a family of 6 were lost while hiking the M Trail. The caller advised the family had run out of water and were stranded on a rocky portion of the mountain.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section responded to the M Trailhead. Volunteers hiked in on foot and successfully located the stranded family. Search and Rescue volunteers escorted the family to the base of the trail head without incident.

Sheriff Springer reminds everyone to always carry enough food and water for an overnight hike, even if you only plan on a day hike, a device for navigation, whether that be a paper map or GPS device, and a charged cell phone to call for help should you need it.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: June 24, 2023

Shortly after 2 PM on Friday, June 23, Sheriff Dan Springer reports that the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single-vehicle accident north of West Yellowstone at mile marker 37 on U.S. Highway 191.

The driver, 65-year-old Warren C. Johnson of Punta Gorda, Florida, was transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center and later flown to St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Billings. The female passenger, a 61-year-old Anne E. Johnson also Punta Gorda, Florida, was pronounced deceased on scene.

Montana Highway Patrol is conducting the crash investigation and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office coroners are conducting the death investigation.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the Johnson family during this time.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Please be advised law enforcement and first responders are on scene at a multiple vehicle accident south of Big Sky on US Hwy 191 Gallatin Road near Walton Mine Road. Limited traffic is able to pass in either direction at this time. Please avoid the canyon if possible and if travel is necessary, use caution and expect delays. We will provide updates as they become available.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shortly before 9:00pm Thursday night deputies responded to an assault with a weapon in the Big Sky Town Center. The 33 year old female victim sustained a non-life threatening knife wound to her abdomen and was transported to Big Sky Medical Center and later to Bozeman Health Medical Center. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 26 year old Samantha Furgeson and 52 year old Justin Ruff for questioning regarding the incident. If you have information on the whereabouts of Ferguson or Ruff you are asked to contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office  at 406-582-2100.

For immediate release: June 22, 2023

Media contact:
Brian Nickolay, Chief of Hyalite Fire District
bnickolay@hyalitefire.org
406-586-3770

Local Firefighters Train to Serve Montana During Upcoming Wildland Fire Season

**Reporters: Local firefighters who took part in the training will be available for interviews on Thursday, June 22 at 1:30 PM at Hyalite Fire Station at 4541 S. 3 rd Ave. in Bozeman.**

Firefighting personnel from across Gallatin County recently participated in a training to help them prepare to serve during the upcoming wildland fire season, both locally and across the state.

Firefighters and overhead management from Amsterdam, Big Sky, Bridger Canyon, Gallatin Gateway, and Hyalite fire districts and Gallatin County Emergency Management attended the annual CAT camp, hosted by the Montana DNRC’s County Assist Team (CAT) in Helena June 9-11.

The CAT is an all-hazard incident management team containing members with a variety of backgrounds from across Montana that support local emergency responders when an incident (wildfire, flood, etc.) becomes too complex to manage locally.

The CAT camp gave local firefighters experience training on a large fire being managed by an incident management team.

Firefighters stayed in a simulated fire camp and practiced different tactics including digging fire line, deploying hose lays, performing back burns, mop up, and helicopter water drops, all with live fire training.

The training provided firefighters with skills to help with wildfires in our local area as well as anywhere else in Montana through the states strong mutual aid system.

Firefighters gained experience and knowledge in preparation for the upcoming fire season.

But they aren’t the only ones who can prepare for when wildfires return to Montana – everyone can play a part!

Everyone can help out by preparing homes now to protect them during a wildfire. Clear roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles. Move flammable materials, such as mulch, firewood piles, leaves and needles away from wall exteriors. Create a fire-resistant zone that is free of flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home. Get more tips at the Gallatin County Emergency Management website.

Practicing fire safety as the summer heats up and dries out is important to preventing wildfires.

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Photos courtesy of Montana DNRC:

For immediate release: June 16, 2023

In the early morning hours of Monday, June 5, 2023, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a robbery at the Plaza Bar in Three Forks, Montana. Reports indicated that a subject entered the bar, sprayed the occupants with bear spray, stole money from behind the bar, and fled the scene in a vehicle. Witnesses described the offender as approximately 5 foot 8 inches with a light build wearing all black clothing. The vehicle was described as a light-colored hatchback SUV or van.

A total of eight people were treated for bear spray exposure. The investigation is ongoing at this time. Community members with information are encouraged to contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at 406-582-2121. The establishment is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to a conviction of those responsible.

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For immediate release: June 8, 2023

Media contact:
Maureen Horton, Gallatin County Treasurer
406-582-3033
treasurer@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County Motor Vehicle Offices in Bozeman, Belgrade to Temporarily Reduce Public Hours

Due to short staffing, the Gallatin County Motor Vehicle Department offices in Bozeman and Belgrade will temporarily reduce office hours to enable staff to maintain current workload.

Beginning Wednesday, June 14, the offices will be open to the public for the following hours during the work week:

• Bozeman office (Gallatin County Courthouse at 311 W. Main St.) – 10 AM to 5 PM
• Belgrade office (312 W. Main St., St. B-8) – 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM

While the offices will be closed to the public for a couple hours a day, staff will be on hand during those hours as it will allow them to catch up on paperwork.

The Gallatin County Motor Vehicle Department is responsible for titling, registration and collection of fees associated with motor vehicles in the county. Drivers’ licenses are handled by the state in a separate office.

Like many employers across the county, our Motor Vehicle Department is short staffed. The offices have a total of 16 positions but are currently down four people with another position reducing to half time soon.

Our motor vehicle offices are the highest trafficked of our county government offices, with more and more customers as our population continues growing. These reduced hours will provide breathing room for our current staff to handle their increased workloads.

We encourage residents to check our website to find information on options like online or mail-in renewals to save them a trip to our offices. We also have a live webcam for the lobby of the Bozeman office so residents can better plan their trips to the courthouse. And we are also going restart some of the programs that were great time-savers for businesses, residents, and staff during the pandemic. We will be announcing programs on the website as soon as they are available.

The reduced public office hours will remain in place until more staff hired. We will keep the public updated.

For information on job openings in the Motor Vehicle Department, and all other county departments, please visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gallatinmt. There you can see detailed job descriptions and apply today!

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For immediate release: June 5, 2023

Media contact:
Steve Saunders, Gallatin County Weed Board Member
406-580-1027
weeddistrict@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County Weed District Seeking Nominations for Noxious Weed Management Award

To kick off Montana Noxious Weed Awareness Week, the Gallatin County Weed District announces the opening of nominations for an annual award recognizing area landowners for their work in controlling noxious weeds in our area.

Gallatin County would like to honor landowners and managers who do an exceptional job of controlling noxious weeds. These stewards are not only caring for their own land but are helping to protect the wild lands and local agriculture that make our county such a wonderful place to live.

The Weed District would like to celebrate these individuals or groups who are a vital part of noxious weed management in our county with the Gallatin County Outstanding Noxious Weed Management Award.

Last year’s inaugural award went to employees at Bridger Bowl Ski Area for their contributions to noxious weed management and their dedication to promoting healthy plant communities in Gallatin County.

If you know of a person or a group who has shown exceptional leadership in the management of noxious weeds on private land in Gallatin County, please nominate them for this award. 

Nominations will be reviewed by the Gallatin County Weed Board, who will pick the winner. The Gallatin County Commission and the Weed District will then recognize the winner at a public meeting in September.

To nominate someone, fill out this form or contact the Weed District to get a copy of the form. Nominations are due by July 31.

The Gallatin County Weed District is located at 903 N. Black Ave. in Bozeman. Staff can be reached at 406-582-3265 or weeddistrict@gallatin.mt.gov.

Information about the Outstanding Noxious Weed Management Award can also be found on our website.

More info on Montana Noxious Weed Awareness Week:

Montana Noxious Weed Awareness Week was established in 2021 as a way to highlight the invasive plants in our state that outcompete native grasses and wildflowers and can seriously impair wildlife habitat, agriculture and recreational opportunities.

Noxious Weed Awareness Week is observed the first full week of June. This year it will be celebrated June 4-10.

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