Gallatin Media Center

For Immediate Release: July 19, 2023

Between March 28 and April 17, 2023, over 50 individuals reported becoming sick with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms after eating at Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman, MT. As previously reported, two of these individuals died and three were hospitalized.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) have continued the outbreak investigation in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This investigation has been a multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary undertaking. At this time, there is no further risk to the public for illness associated with this outbreak.

The public health departments have published a summary report to indicate the findings from this outbreak investigation. You can read that report here.

For the full press release, visit our website.

For immediate release: July 13, 2023

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

Big Sky Country State Fair to Host Montana Beef Council Barnyard

The Montana Beef Council and the Big Sky Country Fair have teamed up in order to bring education, activities, and fun to Bozeman from Wednesday, July 19 through Sunday, July 23. At the Gallatin County Fairgrounds, the Haynes Pavilion will be transformed into the Montana Beef Council Barnyard, where children’s workshops and giveaways will be taking place each day from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Activities include building your own brand, a roping relay, beef bingo, line dancing, protein poetry, pasture pair tag, and an introduction to beef cuts. While workshops are taking place, parents can pick up resources on where to find local beef, recipes, nutrition information, and ideas on what to make for dinner!

Additionally, the Montana Beef Council will be hosting a scavenger hunt using stickers placed throughout the fair. If participants fill out their scavenger hunt cards correctly, they are given the chance to win beef swag and other prizes. Competitors can sign up at the Montana Beef Council Barnyard or by following this link.

“Last year, we brought one pretty exciting activity to the fair in the form of a ninja obstacle course, but this year, we’re bringing a whole host of activities for families to enjoy,” said Anna Sponheim, project manager for the Montana Beef Council. “In order to accomplish our goal of putting more beef on more plates, we have to get outside the barn, which is why we’re bringing the barnyard to Bozeman.”

Amanda Hartman, Big Sky Country State Fair Marketing/Sponsorship Coordinator, said, “We are excited to team up with Montana Beef Council for the all-NEW Barnyard! Offering more agriculture education opportunities at the Big Sky Country State Fair has been a goal of ours for years, and with the help of Montana Beef Council, we are making that dream a reality.”

More details about the upcoming activities at the Montana Beef Council Barnyard and the Big Sky Country State Fair can be found on the Montana Beef Council Facebook page.

Check out more information about the Montana Beef Council throughout the year on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, or by going to www.montanabeefcouncil.org.

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In the afternoon hours of Friday, July 7, 2023, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with the Montana Highway Patrol, and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a single fatality motor vehicle crash that occurred on Highway 191 near mile marker 71. The crash involved a passenger vehicle and semi-truck. The driver of the passenger vehicle killed in the crash was identified as 50-year-old Brent Fjeldheim of Bozeman. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries of the head and abdomen. The cause of the accident is being investigated by Montana Highway Patrol.

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

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Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner

For immediate release: July 11, 2023

Media contact:
Ralph Bloemers, Executive Producer
hello@elementalfilm.com
503-504-2432
Images, clips available for broadcast.

 

Award-Winning Documentary “Elemental, Reimagine Wildfire” Premiering at Emerson Center

Bozeman, Montana – As fire season is underway, the critically-acclaimed, award-winning documentary ELEMENTAL: REIMAGINE WILDFIRE will premiere in Bozeman on July 26, 2023 at the Emerson Center, located a 111 S. Grand Ave. (ElementalFilm.com). Doors open at 6 PM, and the film starts at 6:30 PM.

The film will be followed by a Q&A moderated by Gallatin County Commissioner Jennifer Boyer and featuring District Ranger Corey Lewellen, U.S. Forest Service; Jay Pape, Preparedness and Mitigation Manager for Gallatin County Emergency Management; George Wuerthner, Fire Ecologist; Zachary Krohn, Fire Management Officer, U.S. Forest Service; and Dustin Tetrault, Deputy Fire Chief for the Big Sky Fire Department.

Filmed in Oregon and narrated by David Oyelowo, ELEMENTAL: REIMAGINE WILDFIRE (84 min) takes viewers on a journey across the nation with the top experts to better understand fire and learn what we can all do to prepare. The film starts with the harrowing escape from Paradise, California as the town ignited from wind-driven embers and burned within a few hours of the fire’s start and then continues to recent record shattering fires in Oregon, California and Colorado. The film includes the voices of fire scientists, firefighters, home safety researchers, and explores what each of us can do to prepare our homes to be hardened against fire in the future.

“A very powerful film that evaluates how society should be investing in suppression and management strategies.  It takes a complex issue with multiple nuances, and breaks it down into a format that is easily absorbed.” (Chief Jesse Alexander, Yuba City Fire Department)

In the wake of deadly fires across the West, ELEMENTAL, REIMAGINE WILDFIRE provides us all with a deeper understanding of the events around use while offering real solutions to live with fire in a hotter drier world.

“Elemental beautifully presents the complexity of the wildfire challenges we face and crystalizes our choices going forward – the film is a must see for all Americans living in fire prone landscapes.”  (Jim Furnish, former Deputy Chief United States Forest Service)

Trip Jennings founded Balance Media and has worked with National Geographic for over a decade. He is the producer of the PBS Digital Series Weathered.  His films have won dozens of awards around the world and have aired on major networks on every continent.

Tickets available here: https://elemental-reimagine-wildfire-bozeman-emerson.eventbrite.com/

Press Kit (with production images, synopsis, director bios & headshots, broadcast clips): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JfnOQWApMFTQnNZiRqUvXe5ElwQqhu8W?usp=sharing

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PRESS RELEASE

Ridge Trail Rescue

On July 09, 2023, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call from a pair of hikers, one of which was dehydrated and out of water, on the Ridge Trail between Ross Peak and Sacajawea Peak in the Bridger Mountains.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section responded to Brackett Creek Trailhead and deployed three teams.  Teams consisted of side by sides, four wheelers, and ground crews.  The hiker had cellphone reception and relayed information via text messages and phone calls.  Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue teams located the dehydrated hiker and provided food and water.  Once the patient regained strength and energy, GCSSAR teams walked the patient to the Ross Pass Trail and then transported by side by side to Brackett Creek Trailhead.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists that long hikes can take more time than expected and can be exhausting.  Being prepared with extra food, water, and a communication device can be extremely helpful if your adventures don’t go as expected.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Sourdough Canyon Rescue

On July 6, 2023, at 8:20pm, Gallatin County dispatch received a call for an ATV rider who had become stranded in between Hyalite Canyon and Sourdough Canyon.

The ATV rider had departed the Lick Creek Trailhead before running out of fuel. The rider was then separated from their ATV by a mother black bear and two cubs. The rider hiked out to Sourdough Canyon and was without water or means of communication when located by another hiker.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the Valley Section responded to the Sourdough Canyon Trailhead. GCSSAR deployed a hasty team up Sourdough Trail to attempt contact with the stranded individual.

The GCSSAR hasty team located the stranded rider approximately 4.5 miles up Sourdough Trail. The rider was assessed for injuries and transported to Sourdough Canyon Trailhead.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions and always have a means of communication.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

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.