Gallatin Media Center

If you or someone you know has experienced domestic violence, there are numerous local resources:

Haven’s 24-hour support line – 406-586-4111

Help Center Sexual Assault Counseling Center 24-hour hotline – 406-586-3333

Gallatin County Victim Services – 406-582-2075

Montana State University VOICE Center – 406-994-7069

National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233

 

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For more on DVRT and domestic violence in Gallatin County, check out this podcast with local folks behind the services available to domestic violence survivors – Gallatin County 911, Montana State University Police Department, and Haven. 

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For immediate release: Oct. 27, 2022

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov

 

Gallatin County DVRT Tackles Domestic Violence Issues in Our Community

Read the paper in Gallatin County often enough and it’s plain to see that domestic violence is a problem in our community: Stories of strangulation and other violent acts appear regularly. In the past few weeks alone, there were three high-lethality cases reported in local media – and those are just the cases where law enforcement has intervened.

That’s why the Domestic Violence Respose Team was created in 2012. It’s a group of law enforcement, attorneys, advocates, and more, in our county, trying to work together to address the violence that stems from one partner exerting power and control over the other partner – violence that’s on the rise in our community, according to local experts on the task force.

“Domestic violence cases are complicated to investigate and even more difficult to prosecute due to the intimacy between survivor and suspect. That is why these cases, more than others, require such a collaborative team effort to hold offenders accountable and keep survivors safe,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer. “The predominance of homicide cases in Gallatin County are domestic related homicides. There really is no such thing as too much effort as this is truly a life safety issue.”

One in five people are survivors of domestic violence nationwide — in Gallatin County alone that’s more than 24,000 of our neighbors, friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

And each one of those survivors has family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and classmates who have likely seen the ramifications of that abuse. Domestic violence is an issue that affects us all.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a time to bring this topic out of the shadows and into the forefront of our community conversation. And while this month might be wrapping up, domestic violence is an issue that deserves awareness all year long.

What Domestic Violence Looks Like

Domestic violence has one core component – it’s about power and control. It describes physical violence, sexual violence, economic abuse, spiritual abuse, stalking, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse.

Physical violence can be pushing, kicking, hitting, strangling, and at its worst, killing.

Psychological harm can be threats, manipulation, stalking, name-calling, criticism, blaming, and unpredictable behavior, among many others.

Economic abuse can look like denying access to bank accounts or other sources of money.

These forms of abuse do not discriminate. Anyone can experience domestic violence no matter their age, gender, race, sexuality, or socio-economic status.

Here in Gallatin County, statistics from a local domestic violence organization and from our area law enforcement provide a snapshot of how often survivors are reaching out for help locally.

Haven, a nonprofit that provides shelter, legal advocacy, a 24-hour support line, and other resources to survivors, saw a 12 percent increase in the number of people it served last year from the year before. Haven also saw a 9 percent increase in bed nights at its emergency shelter. Local law enforcement has also seen increases in the number of domestic violence-related calls they respond to.

In 2019, there were 573 calls related to domestic violence responded to among the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, and Bozeman, Belgrade, Montana State University and Manhattan police departments. That number jumped over 41 percent in 2021, with 810 domestic violence calls responded to by those agencies.

“The number of survivors seeking support right now is far outpacing the growth we’re experiencing as a community,” Haven Executive Director Erica Aytes Coyle told KBZK-TV in August.

Gallatin County Domestic Violence Response Team

A local multi-jurisdictional team of professionals has been tackling this issue head on in Gallatin County for over a decade.

The Gallatin County Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) meets monthly with the goal to ensure that each agency and each practitioner, 911 operators and patrol officers, courts and probation officers, is on the same page in maximizing both the safety and well-being for survivors, and the accountability for offenders.

The purpose of DVRT is to educate the community, improve community-wide system response and collaboration, and influence statewide policy regarding domestic and sexual violence.

The team is made up of representatives from the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office, Gallatin County Victim Services, Gallatin County Court Services, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Bozeman Police Department, Montana State University Police Department, Hearts and Homes; Gallatin County Court Services, Bozeman City Attorney’s Office, MSU VOICE Center, Gallatin County Child Protection Services, and Haven.

“It’s only by working together that we can see the gaps in how our community responds to domestic violence, and in how we can all work together to save lives and support survivors,” said Bailey Brubaker, the Haven staffer who’s been facilitating the Domestic Violence Response Team since January. “We’ve got a few things in the works for the coming year. It’s exciting to be part of the momentum we’re gaining.”

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month and beyond, we encourage our residents to educate themselves on domestic violence, talk about it, bring this topic into the light, and work together to end this issue in our community.

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Mystic Lake Missing Hunters

 On October 23, 2022, at 9:29 A.M., Gallatin County 911 Dispatch received a report of two overdue hunters. The hunters had been last seen in the Mystic Lake Cabin area the day prior at 7:10 A.M by a third member of the hunting party, but never returned to the cabin for their planned stay overnight.  Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue were dispatched to locate and assist the missing hunters.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Valley Section and SAR Dog teams deployed to the area the hunters were last seen from the Bozeman Creek Trailhead.  After several hours of clearing trail and navigating snowy conditions, ground teams and a SAR Dog team were able to reach the Mystic Lake Cabin, where they located the hunters.  One member of the party had suffered a minor injury the night before, which delayed their ability to make it back to the cabin in the dark.  The hunters had arrived at the cabin after their hunting partner had already gone for help, and were seeking shelter from the inclement weather.  SAR teams conducted a medical assessment and transported the hunters back to the trailhead.

Sheriff Dan Springer encourages hunters to prepare for changing weather conditions and to carry a means of communication should an accident happen.  Seeking shelter and remaining stationary aided rescuers in conducting a timely and efficient rescue in this case.

PRESS RELEASE

Albino Lake Injured Hunter Rescue

On October 22, 2022, at 10:40 A.M., Gallatin County Dispatch received a call from the Garmin International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC), who had received an SOS from a satellite communication device.  After communicating with the device owner, it was determined a hunter had broken their leg while navigating rough terrain near the Albino Lake Trail in Big Sky.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section, Valley Section, and a Big Sky Fire Department responded to assist with the call. SAR Big Sky and Valley ground teams deployed on foot to the patient with ropes and a one wheeled litter. Another SAR Big Sky team deployed from the Eldridge Trailhead on a four-wheel drive side by side. Teams faced difficult terrain and harsh weather while attempting the backcountry rescue in snowy and icy conditions.

It took volunteers several hours to locate, assess, and evacuate the patient. Once ground teams arrived at the patient’s location, they stabilized the injury and created a plan to evacuate the hunter by one wheeled litter, and then onto the side by side for transport back to the trailhead. The hunter was then transported several miles down the trail to the Big Sky Fire Department Ambulance and ultimately transported to Bozeman Health for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the hunting party for being prepared with not only a satellite communication device, but for being adequately dressed for the changing weather and long day in the elements.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Blackline Climber Rescue

On October 21, 2022, at 1:26 P.M., Gallatin County Dispatch received a call that a rock climber had fallen approximately 20 feet and sustained injuries to their ankle and lower back near the base of Blackline in Big Sky.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section, Valley Section, SAR Heli Team, and AMR responded to assist with the call. SAR Big Sky and Valley ground teams deployed on foot to the patient with ropes and a one wheel litter. When they arrived and assessed the patient the ground teams requested a SAR Heli Team shorthaul due to the patient’s condition and location. The patient was packaged and short hauled to an awaiting AMR ambulance. The patient was then transported to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the other climbers for staying with, and helping the injured climber, until help arrived. He would also like to remind everyone that accidents can happen to anyone, to bring plenty of supplies, a communication/location device, and a first aid kit in case of emergencies.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

 

For immediate release: October 20, 2022

Media contact:
Jim Simon, Gallatin Solid Waste Management District Manager
406-582-2492
jim.simon@gallatin.mt.gov

 

Game Animal Carcass Disposal Available in Gallatin County

Southwest Montana hunters can help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) by properly disposing of game animal carcasses at three locations across Gallatin County this hunting season.

Dumping carcasses is illegal, unethical, and can spread numerous diseases, including CWD, a fatal disease of deer, elk, and moose.

The Gallatin Solid Waste Management District is proud to assist Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks by providing safe places to dispose of game animal carcasses. In southwest Montana, the Gallatin Solid Waste Management District offers three sites for disposal:

Logan Landfill
10585 Two Dog Rd., Manhattan

Hours:
Until Oct. 31
Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM
Saturday, 7 AM to 4:30 PM
After Nov. 1
Monday to Saturday – 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Disposal fees:

Minimum fee – $5 per vehicle
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) (all deer, elk and moose carcasses and whole animals will be disposed as MSW) – $27 per ton

Bozeman Convenience Site
2143 Story Mill Rd., Bozeman

Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday, 8 AM to 3:30 PM

Disposal fees:
Minimum fee – $10 per vehicle
Bulky/oversized item fee – $5
Municipal Solid Waste – $27 per ton

West Yellowstone Transfer Station
263 Ecology Ln., West Yellowstone

Hours:
Until Oct. 31
Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 4 PM
Saturday – 9 AM to 1 PM
After Nov. 1
Tuesday to Thursday – 10 AM to 4 PM
Saturday – 9 AM to 1 PM

Disposal fees:
Minimum fee – $8 per vehicle up to 120 pounds
Regular Household Waste – $126 per ton

 

This year, Montana FWP is continuing CWD surveillance in specific areas known as Priority Surveillance Areas, which includes southwest Montana.

Carcass disposal requirements include the following: carcass parts such as brain, eyes, spleen, lymph glands, and spinal cord material, should be left at the kill site when possible. If the animal is transported for taxidermy or meat processing, the brain and spinal tissue must be bagged and disposed of in a landfill. A carcass may be transported within the state regardless of where it was harvested if the carcass parts of disposed of in a landfill after butchering and processing.

This requirement applies to all deer, elk, and moose carcasses wherever in the state they are harvested by hunters or as vehicle-killed salvage.

Protect our herds: property dispose of carcasses!

To learn more about chronic wasting disease in Montana, collecting and submitting samples, surveillance efforts, and what you can do to prevent the spread of the fatal disease, please visit fwp.mt.gov/cwd.

For more information on disposing of game animal carcasses at the three Gallatin Solid Waste Management locations, contact the following:

• Logan Landfill – 406-284-4029
• Bozeman Convenience Site – 406-587-7890
• West Yellowstone Transfer Station – 406-646-9383

 

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CORRECTION: The previous version of the below press release had the incorrect address of the incident. It has been corrected in the version below (see bolded red text below). We apologize for the error.

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For immediate release: Oct. 19, 2022

At approximately 6:45 PM on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunshots at 20 Cliff Manor Ln., approximately 10 miles south of Gallatin Gateway in Gallatin Canyon. A witness reported a female had shot a male and fled the scene. When responders arrived, they found a male, identified as 53-year-old Jason Jones, deceased. Preliminary findings showed Jason died from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigation indicated the suspect to be 50-year-old Kimberli Jones, Jason’s spouse. Kimberli was later found near the Hyalite reservoir deceased due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident is still under investigation at this time.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jason and Kimberli Jones during this time.

For immediate release: Oct. 19, 2022

At approximately 6:45 PM on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunshots at 50 Cliff Manor Ln., approximately 10 miles south of Gallatin Gateway in Gallatin Canyon. A witness reported a female had shot a male and fled the scene. When responders arrived, they found a male, identified as 53-year-old Jason Jones, deceased. Preliminary findings showed Jason died from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigation indicated the suspect to be 50-year-old Kimberli Jones, Jason’s spouse. Kimberli was later found near the Hyalite reservoir deceased due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident is still under investigation at this time.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jason and Kimberli Jones during this time.

Sheriff Springer will be available for press inquiries at 12:00 today at the Gallatin County Detention Center, Conference Room.

For immediate release: Oct. 13, 2022

Media contact:
Eric Semerad, Gallatin County Elections Administrator
406-582-3060
eric.semerad@gallatin.mt.gov

 

Gallatin County Elections Office Mailing Over 62,000 Absentee Ballots on Friday, Oct. 14

On the morning Friday, Oct. 14, the Gallatin County Elections Office is mailing out over 62,000 absentee ballots for the 2022 federal general election on Nov. 8.

Voters who are registered to receive their ballots absentee should start seeing them arrive in their mailboxes in the coming days.

Sample ballots can be found here.

Absentee ballots must be returned no later than 8 PM on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, in order to be counted. Ballots postmarked on or before Election Day but received after Election Day cannot be accepted.

Absentee ballots may be returned by mail. The Elections Office advises mailing them no later than Tuesday, Nov. 1 to ensure they arrive on time. They can also be dropped off at the Elections Office leading up to and including Election Day.

On Election Day, ballots can be dropped at any polling place in Gallatin County, and there will also be a drive-up box at the front of the Gallatin County Courthouse in downtown Bozeman.

Polling places will be open for in-person voting on Election Day at the following locations:

• Bridger Canyon Fire Station – 8081 Bridger Canyon Rd.
• Gallatin County Fairgrounds – 901 N. Black Ave. in Bozeman
• Hope Lutheran Church – 5152 W. Graf St. in Bozeman
• Povah Community Center – 10 Geyser St. in West Yellowstone
• Big Sky Water & Sewer District Office – 561 Little Coyote Rd. in Big Sky
• Gallatin Gateway Community Center – 145 Mill St. in Gallatin Gateway
• Belgrade Special Events Center – 220 Spooner Rd. in Belgrade
• River Rock Community Center – 101 River Rock Rd. in Belgrade
• Three Forks High School – 212 E. Neal St. in Three Forks
• Manhattan Christian School – 8000 Churchill Rd. in Churchill
• Manhattan High School – 200 W. Fulton Ave. in Manhattan

Polling places will be open 7 AM to 8 PM on Election Day, with the exception of Bridger Canyon Fire Station, which will be open noon to 8 PM.

If you are voting in-person, please check your voter registration to make sure you vote at the correct polling place location.

Visit www.MyVoterPageMT.com to check your voter registration status and your information on file.

If you still need to register to vote or update your registration in order to vote in November’s election, you must appear in person at the Gallatin County Elections Office. Voters can register now until noon on Monday, Nov. 7 (the day before Election Day), and from 7 AM to 8 PM on Election Day.

The Elections Office is located in room 210 of the Gallatin County Courthouse at 311 W. Main St. in downtown Bozeman.

For questions or more information, call us at 406-582-3060, email us at gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov, or visit our website at gallatinvotes.com.

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For immediate release: October 12, 2022

Media contact:
Patty Howard, Outreach Educator – Gallatin Solid Waste Management District
406-582-2492
patty.howard@gallatin.mt.gov 

 

Fix-It Repair Clinic Slated for Oct. 15 at Belgrade Community Library

Do you have small items that need to be fixed? A lamp on the fritz? A sleeping bag with a hole? Your kid’s favorite toy with some broken pieces? Then the Fix-It Repair Clinic is the place for you!

The Gallatin Solid Waste Management District is partnering with the Belgrade Community Library to bring you this community event to help give new life to your stuff!

This free clinic will be held Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Belgrade Community Library, located at 106 N. Broadway.

Volunteers will be on hand to fix small items such as toys, clothing, small appliances, lamps, jewelry, and more. This will save their owners money and keep the items from ending up in the landfill. Past clinics have helped keep over 2,000 pounds from going into the Logan Landfill!

For more information, please call 406-582-2493 or visit www.gallatinsolidwaste.org.

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Sheriff/Coroner Dan Springer releases name of Vehicle vs. Bicyclist Victim

 

On Sunday, October 9, 2022, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a fatality involving a vehicle and bicyclist. The accident occurred on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, near the intersection of W Oak St. and N 15^th Ave. in Bozeman. The victim was identified as 40-year-old Kelly Fulton, a high school teacher in Bozeman. Fulton was transported to a Billings hospital where he ultimately died of his injuries. Cause of death was determined to be subdural hematoma due to blunt force injuries of the head. The manner was ruled an accident.

 

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and students of Kelly Fulton during this time.