Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: May 18, 2023

On Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 6:22 PM, Gallatin County dispatch received a call regarding a motor vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 191 at mile marker 71 near the mouth of Gallatin Canyon. Reports indicated that multiple vehicles were involved, and injuries were present.

Law enforcement and medical personnel responded. 35-year-old Bozeman resident Deivin Roney Soto Baires was pronounced deceased at the scene. Multiple other involved individuals were transported to Bozeman Deaconess Regional Medical Center. All other involved parties are in stable condition.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Montana Highway Patrol in the on-going investigation.

Sheriff Springer would like to express his condolences to Mr. Soto Baires’ family and friends and thank all of the first responders involved in this tragedy.

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For immediate release: May 17, 2023

Gallatin City-County Health Department Rescinds Closure Order and Institutes New Health Officer Order with Corrective Actions Required Prior to Dave’s Sushi Reopening  

 

See the full press release here.

For media, if you have follow-up questions, please submit them in writing to whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov.

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For immediate release: May 3, 2023

 

The Gallatin City-County Health Department, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), other local health departments, and federal agencies continue to investigate the foodborne illness outbreak linked to eating food at Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman.

The investigational activities are ongoing, and DPHHS and the Gallatin City-County Health Department acknowledge that the investigation may not be able to identify a specific pathogen as the source of this outbreak. This outbreak appears to be isolated to people who ate at Dave’s Sushi between March 31 and April 17, 2023. The restaurant remains closed, and there does not appear to be any further risk to the public.

DPHHS recommends that individuals who experienced illness after eating at Dave’s Sushi in late March and April 2023 call and report their symptoms to their local health department so cases can be tracked as part of this outbreak investigation. Contact information for all local health departments is here. 

 

Read the full press release here.

For immediate release: April 30, 2023

In the morning hours of 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. Donna’s death is suspected to be related to a foodborne illness. The Gallatin City-County Health Department has been notified. There is no current safety concern to the public. Donna’s cause and manner of death will remain pending until autopsy and toxicology results are available.

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

For immediate release: April 18, 2023

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

Gallatin County Commission Approves Funding for Open Lands Projects

The Gallatin County Commission approved using Open Lands Program money to help fund six projects that improve public open lands in Bozeman, Three Forks, West Yellowstone, Big Sky and Four Corners.

On Tuesday, April 18, commissioners voted unanimously to spend $458,223 to provide funding to the following applicants and projects:

• Gallatin Valley Land Trust – East-West Connector trail – $100,000
• Yellowstone Shortline Trail – construction of a nine-mile trail in the West Yellowstone area – $100,000
• Headwaters Trail System – trail surface maintenance – $100,000
• Big Sky Owners Association – Little Coyote Pond and West Fork River restoration project – $100,000
• Eagle Mount – land acquisition for future Eagle Mount programming, infrastructure, community recreation and public access to the Gallagator Trail – $38,928
• Craighead Institute – wildlife habitat and water quality improvements at Gallatin County Regional Park – $19,295

“I’m really impressed with all of the applications,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Jennifer Boyer. “All of these projects are well designed, community minded, and have incredible support from a variety of partners and agencies.”

Money for these projects comes from the voter-approved Gallatin County Open Space Levy, which was passed in 2018. This year, the levy is estimated to bring in over $2.44 million total.

While a majority of that money funds conservation projects, such as conservation easements for private landowners, over $458,000 was earmarked by the Gallatin County Commission for “other eligible projects.”  These projects must be related to land acquisition, capital improvements, and maintenance projects that support the purpose of the Open Space Levy.

Eleven applications were received during the application period earlier this year. The Open Lands Board scored the submitted proposals and recommended these six projects for approval. 

Commissioner Zach Brown said these “other eligible projects” are a great addition to the Open Lands Program that go beyond traditional conservation easements to help support “all kinds of recreational, open space, and water quality type efforts that benefit our constituents.”

“It’s meaningful to spread the love to different corners of the county,” Brown said.

More information on the projects, including applications and scoring, can be found attached to the commission’s agenda here.

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For immediate release: April 18, 2023

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

Logan Landfill Hosting Free Electronic Waste Recycling Event on Earth Day

The Gallatin Solid Waste Management District and 406 Recycling are hosting the annual free electronic waste collection event on Earth Day – Saturday, April 22 – at the Logan Landfill (10585 Two Dog Road) from 8 AM to 2 PM. 

Collected items will be processed by 406 Recycling, an R2-certified recycler, which ensures that high environmental standards are met through the entire life of the recycling process. All personal information is kept secure until it is destroyed. This is a great opportunity to recycle some of those electronic items that don’t work or are collecting dust.

Electronic items that will be accepted include: computers, monitors, printers, TVs (including CRT, LCD and rear-projection), radios, digital cameras, mobile phones, routers, scanners, fax machines, DVD players, stereos and equipment, remote controls, keyboards, microwave (clean inside and no tray), servers, tablets, VCR’s, digital clock radios and accessories and cords. If you’re not sure if something is considered e-waste, call 406-582-2493 for clarification.

Customers will need to stop at the scale house for instructions. If you have other items to dispose of, normal trash rates still apply.

Logan Landfill accepts e-waste all year during regular business hours 7 AM – 5 PM Mondays through Fridays, and 7 AM – 4:30 PM on Saturdays (summer hours) for a fee of $27 per ton, with a $5 minimum for up to 400 pounds. The rate for commercial e-waste recycling is $48 per ton.

For more information about the free e-waste collection event, please call Patty at 406-582-2493, or email her at patty.howard@gallatin.mt.gov. You can also visit our website at GallatinSolidWaste.org.

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For immediate release: April 14, 2023

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 Thursday, April 20 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 2022. 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:

As temperatures rise and with more snow in the forecast, Gallatin County is beginning to see increased calls for assistance with flooding.  If you are in IMMEDIATE need of assistance with obtaining sandbags, please contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 406-582-2100.  We will provide you information on where you can obtain sandbags.  You can also call 211 to be connected to additional resources. And don’t forget to sign up for emergency alerts through the Gallatin County Emergency Management Community Notification System. Sign up today at www.readygallatin.com!

For immediate release: April 11, 2023

Media contact:
Tim Martindale, Gallatin County 911 Director
406-582-2092
tim.martindale@gallatin.mt.gov

 

Gallatin County 911 Releases 2022 Annual Report, Celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

April 9-15 is 911 Dispatcher Appreciation Week in Gallatin County and the perfect time to highlight all the incredible work our dispatch center staff does for our community.

The Gallatin County 911 annual report for 2022 highlights the activities and accomplishments of Gallatin County 911, operations, systems and records division last year.

The 2022 annual report shows that Gallatin County dispatchers processed 152,829 incoming calls, a 4.77% decrease from the previous year. However, the 2022 total was 1.22% higher than the five-year average of calls.

“We’ve seen several factors contribute to the decrease in calls being processed by our staff,” said Gallatin County 911 Director Tim Martindale. “Throughout the year, we’ve made an effort to educate the community on when to call 911 and when not to. We’ve also invested in the PulsePoint app to encourage the community to be part of our solution in responding to calls. Along those same lines, several of our law enforcement partners are investing in online reporting tools, this would directly contribute to the number of calls coming into our center going down.”

In addition to statistics on calls and 911’s budget, the report also highlights accomplishments of the staff, including launching an online records request portal, taking part in the implementation of a mobile mental health crisis team, lifesaver awards, and numerous trainings completed by staff.

“I could not be prouder of the commitment and excellence that our staff exudes,” Martindale said. “Like any organization, there are times where we fall short, but with this staff, we pick ourselves up, take ownership and move forward.”

Click here to see the entire report.

Gallatin County 911 continues to look for quality dispatchers. Click here to see our current job openings and apply to join our team.

In conjunction with National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the Gallatin County Commission proclaimed April 9-15 as 911 Dispatcher Appreciation Week in our area.

“The Gallatin County Commission honors the staff of the Gallatin County 911 Dispatch Center for their service and sacrifice, which make all of the communities in our county better and safer places to live, work and play.”

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For immediate release: April 12, 2023

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

 

Ballots for School and Special Districts Election to be Mailed April 14

On Friday, April 14, ballots for the 2023 school and special districts election on May 2 in Gallatin County will be mailed to active registered voters in districts that are holding elections. This election is a mail ballot election, meaning there will be no polling places open on Election Day. 

Those districts include the following:

• Schools:
  • Anderson
  • Belgrade
  • Big Sky
  • Bozeman
  • Cottonwood
  • LaMotte
  • Malmborg
  • Manhattan
  • Monforton
  • Springhill
  • Three Forks
  • West Yellowstone
  • Willow Creek

• Special districts:
  • Gallatin Valley Urban Transportation District
  • Belgrade Regional Park, Trails & Recreation District Creation/Bond
  • Hebgen Basin Hospital District
  • Logan Water & Sewer District

In total, more than 63,600 ballots will be mailed. Voters can expect to start seeing their ballots in the mail by this weekend or early next week. Sample ballots can be found here.

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

As with all mail ballot elections, there is always an option to vote in-person at the Gallatin County Elections office, located in the Courthouse at 311 W. Main St., room 210 in Bozeman. In-person voting for this election begins today, April 12. If your ballot is destroyed, spoiled, lost, or not received, you may request a replacement ballot no later than 8 PM on Election Day.

Ballots must be received at the Gallatin County Elections office or a designated place of deposit by 8 PM on Election Day. Ballots may be returned by mail or in-person. If you’re mailing your ballot, mail it no later than Wednesday, April 25 to ensure it arrives at our office in time. Ballots postmarked on or before Election Day but received after Election Day cannot be accepted. You can check your ballot status at www.MyVoterPageMT.com. 

Places of deposit for this election are:

• Gallatin County Elections Office (311 W. Main St., room 210 in Bozeman)
• Monforton School District Office (6001 Monforton School Road, Bozeman)
• Belgrade City Hall – Finance Department (91 E. Central Ave., Belgrade)

Voters in any district can drop their ballots off at those locations. All three locations are open during regular business hours Monday through Friday until May 1, and then from 7 AM to 8 PM on Election Day on May 2.

Voter registration

Gallatin County is currently in the late registration period for the May 2 election. In order to register to vote or update your registration if you’ve moved or changed your name, you must appear in-person at the Gallatin County Elections office. 

You can do so now through Election Day. Please note there is one short registration closure from noon on May 1 until 7 AM on Election Day. It is then available until 8 PM on Election Day.

You can check your registration status at MyVoterPageMT.com.

If you have other questions, please contact our office at gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-582-3060. For more information, you can also visit www.GallatinVotes.com.

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