Gallatin Media Center

PRESS RELEASE

Beehive Basin Skier Rescue

On February 5, at 1:38 pm, Gallatin County dispatch received a call for a skier that had sustained a lower leg injury approximately 1 mile up the trail at Upper Beehive Basin.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky section volunteers responded and skied to the patient’s location. The patient was assessed on scene and packaged before being transported to the Upper Beehive Basin Trailhead by stretcher sled. The individual was then transferred over to a Big Sky Fire Department ambulance who then transported to the next level of care.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind winter recreationalists that even a casual trip out can become an emergent issue. He would like to commend the individuals for having the ability to quickly communicate the emergency to get help on the way and encourages recreationalists to have a fully charged cell phone or some other communication device in case of an emergency.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

On February 3, 2023, at approximately 10:45 am, Gallatin County 911 Dispatch received a report of a semi-truck rollover on Interstate 90 near mile marker 284. The rollover partially blocked the eastbound lane of traffic. The semi-truck was carrying a load of cattle. Many of the cattle survived but some died as a result of the crash and some needed to be dispatched due to the severity of their injuries. To protect the first responders working at the scene and to protect the motoring public, all interstate traffic between Logan and Manhattan has been diverted onto the Frontage Road. As of 3:00 pm, operations to safely remove the cattle continue. Updates will be provided as they are available. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office thanks the public for their patience as first responders work on this incident.

Agencies involved in this event include the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Manhattan Fire Department, Three Forks Fire Department, Gallatin River Ranch Fire Department, Department of Livestock, Gallatin Solid Waste Management, Montana Department of Transportation, as well as citizen volunteers and private tow truck companies.

PRESS RELEASE

Slide Creek Lost Snowmobilers

On Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 6:54 pm, the Gallatin County Dispatch Center received a Garmin Device Activation requesting assistance for two lost snowmobilers that had become separated while recreating together.  The Garmin device put them in the area of Slide Creek off Taylor Fork Rd, south of Big Sky.  Volunteers from the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section responded to assist the snowmobilers.

Volunteers deployed two teams and quickly located the first individual on the trail. One team remained with the first snowmobiler and warmed them in an enclosed Snowbulancewhile the other team went on to locate the second individual.  The second individual was found shortly after and both were returned safely to the trailhead.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists that having communication and knowledge of your location is crucial information in the event of an emergency.  These two individuals prevented a prolonged scenario by being capable of providing their location and status to GCSSAR responders.

Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: Jan. 31, 2023

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

 

Application Period Open for Project Funding from the Gallatin County Open Lands Program

Gallatin County is now accepting applications from projects seeking funding through the county’s Open Lands Program.

This year, the voter-approved Open Space 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, a little over $458,000 has been earmarked by the Gallatin County Commission for “other eligible projects.”

Applicants for projects that fall into the “other eligible projects” category are encouraged to apply for this funding from now through March 17.

These projects must be related to land acquisition, capital improvements, and maintenance projects that support the purpose of the Gallatin County Open Space levy. Applicants must demonstrate how a proposed project is related to the provision of recreation, protection of water quality of streams and rivers, management of growth, or protection of wildlife areas.

Projects funded last year in this category include money toward the expansion and improvement of Peet’s Hill in Bozeman, construction of a “quiet area” at the Gallatin County Regional Park in Bozeman, and improvements to the Anderson Dog Park, also located at the Regional Park.

“We’re excited to see what kind of applications come in and what kind of projects we can support this year,” said Sean O’Callaghan, Gallatin County Planning Director and Open Lands Coordinator.

Application instructions and submittal requirements are available online here.

Applications must be submitted by 5 PM on March 17 to the Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development, 311 W. Main St., room 108, Bozeman MT, 59715.

For questions or more information, contact Sean O’Callaghan at 406-582-3130 or sean.ocallaghan@gallatin.mt.gov.

Following the application process, the Open Lands Board will score submitted proposal and recommend projects to the Gallatin County Commission for final funding approval.

“We get a lot of great projects across the county with this effort and I think it’s really an excellent opportunity to bite off some of the smaller projects outside of the larger conservation efforts,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Jennifer Boyer.

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PRESS RELEASE

WEST ENTRANCE INJURED SNOWMOBILER

On Saturday, January 28, 2023, Yellowstone National Park requested assistance for a snowmobile crash 1 mile west of West Yellowstone on the West Entrance Road. The snowmobiler was reported to have fractured their femur in the accident.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, Custer Gallatin National Forest Service and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District responded to assist with the rescue.

Volunteers quickly made contact with the patient, then packaged and transported them to the West Entrance where medical care was turned over to the waiting Hebgen Basin Ambulance for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind snowmobilers to ride within their abilities and be aware of changing trail conditions.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: Jan. 27, 2023

Press Availability: Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell will be available to take questions from reporters today, Friday, Jan. 27, at 1:30 PM at the Law and Justice Center, located at 615 S. 16^th Ave. in Bozeman.

 

Gallatin County Attorney Withdraws Notice of Intent to Seek Death Penalty in West Yellowstone Homicide Case

Audrey Cromwell, Gallatin County Attorney, filed a Withdrawal of Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty today in the Patricia Batts case. See the full filing here.

Batts is charged with deliberate homicide, aggravated kidnapping, criminal child endangerment and strangulation of partner or family member, all felonies, related to the death of her 12-year-old grandson, James Alex Hurley, in West Yellowstone in 2020.

“After consultation with law enforcement, with the victim’s mother, and with the Attorney General Prosecution Services Bureau, we have decided the best way to proceed in this case is to withdraw the death penalty designation. The victim’s mother is in agreement with this decision,” Cromwell said.

“My heart goes out to Alex’s mom and brother. As a parent, I cannot think of anything worse in life than losing your child in the manner inflicted on Alex. There’s nothing worse that could have happened to him. It is critical that we move this case forward to seek justice for Alex in a way that will put an end to this years-long litigation and will provide closure to the family and law enforcement,” Cromwell said.

Montana is one of 24 states that allows capital punishment — 23 states have abolished the death penalty and three others have a governor-imposed moratorium on death as punishment, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. The last execution in Montana happened in 2006 and two people are now on death row in the state, according to DPIC.  However, a 2015 injunction by District Court Judge Jeffrey Sherlock has put a moratorium on executions in Montana indefinitely.

The average death penalty case takes 12 years, including appeals for post-conviction relief. The costs of these highly litigious cases – including the time of judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and court reporters, and the high costs of briefs – are mostly borne by the taxpayer. Death penalty cases in Montana cost taxpayers approximately $2.2 million per case.

“Death penalty factors increase the time and cost of administering justice. We can secure justice for Alex through a sentence that includes life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. And the millions in taxpayer dollars that would have been used on the death penalty case can be redirected toward crime prevention and response so that what happened to Alex never happens to another child in our county,” Cromwell said.

Two other people were charged and pled guilty in connection with Alex’s death. James Sasser Jr., 49, pled guilty to felony deliberate homicide, felony child endangerment and felony tampering with a witness in August 2021. Judge John Brown sentenced him to serve 100 years for the homicide charge and 10 years each for the child endangerment and tampering charges.  James Sasser III pled guilty to felony deliberate homicide and, in October 2020, was sentenced to the Montana Department of Corrections until he is 18 years old.

Batts’ jury trial is currently scheduled for July 10 through Aug. 4, 2023.

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PRESS RELEASE

INJURED SNOWMOBILER JUNCTION 16

On Thursday, January 26, 2023, the West Yellowstone Police Department dispatch center received a 911 call requesting assistance for a snowmobiler who had suffered a possible broken arm after striking a tree. The coordinates retrieved from the 911 call indicated that the incident was located southwest of West Yellowstone near Junction 16.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, Custer Gallatin National Forest Service, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District responded to assist with the rescue.

Volunteers located the crash scene near coordinates provided by a passing snowmobiler who stopped to assist the injured party. Volunteers quickly packaged the injured snowmobiler into a specialized enclosed Snowbulance and transported them to a waiting Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District ambulance.  The injured snowmobiler was transported to the Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank the passing snowmobiler for stopping to assist. The updated 911 coordinates received from the passerby allowed rescuers to locate and care for the patient more quickly.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE 

Buck Ridge Rescue

On January 25, 2023, at 10:51 am, Gallatin County dispatch received a call that a snowmobiler had sustained a leg injury on Buck Ridge Trail near mile marker 13 in Big Sky.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section volunteers responded to the scene by snowmobile with a specialized rescue sled. The patient was medically assessed and packaged on scene before being transported to the trailhead.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind winter recreationalists, that even a ride out on the trail can become an emergent issue. He would like to commend the riders for having the ability to quickly communicate the emergency to get help on the way and encourages recreationalists to have a fully charged cell phone or some other communication device in case of an emergency.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

 

For immediate release: Jan. 25, 2023

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

 

Public-Private Partnership Raising $4.5 Million for HRDC’s Homeward Point

Local governments, banks and businesses across Gallatin County have come together to support the Homeward Point portion of HRDC’s Community Commons campus that will include space for people that are oriented toward home or on their way home, or in other words, in need of a temporary place to stay.  

The Gallatin County Commission pledged $2.25 million from the county’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as a challenge grant to the county’s business community. Commissioners then worked with the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Bozeman, and First Security Bank President and CEO Jim Ness to challenge area businesses and organizations to match the contribution. 

In just over a year, more than a dozen organizations have pledged $2.1 million and counting in matching funds, for a total of more than $4.35 million and counting toward Homeward Point. The groups are continuing to solicit donations from additional businesses with the goal of hitting $4.5 million.

“HRDC is excited to see collaborative partners leaning into this community problem and stepping up to support on the ground solutions,” said Heather Grenier, HRDC President/CEO. “While shelter is not the answer, it is a necessary landing spot to make space for working towards the solution, which includes housing that is affordable to the individuals and families that power this community. Together, we can facilitate change, save the lives of somebody’s brother, aunt, father, or grandfather, and create lasting solutions that contribute to better outcomes for everyone in our community.”

 

“Houselessness and urban camping is a wicked problem facing our community, and most others across the country,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown. “It is an emotionally charged issue for many with no simple solutions. However, this process of turning tough conversations and conflict into a tangible partnership has given me hope. This partnership makes me proud to live in the Gallatin Valley, and the Gallatin County Commission is so grateful to the members of the business community who met our challenge to take a step forward as a community.” 

Contributors of funds include:

• Gallatin County
• City of Bozeman
• Gallatin Valley Tourism Improvement Business District 
• Lone Mountain Land Company
• Bozeman Health
• Gallatin Association of Realtors
• First Interstate Bank
• First Security Bank
• Town Pump Foundation
• Stockman Bank
• American Bank
• Opportunity Bank
• Bank of Bozeman
• Montana Title & Escrow
• Rockin’ R Bar
• Kimpton Armory Bozeman
• Off The Beaten Path
• Security Title

“Building a solid foundation for all housing must begin with putting a hand out to those who may have run into a hard time in their lives and need help getting back on their feet,” said Daryl Schliem, Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce CEO. “Completing the funding match not only gives us a 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year Homeward Point for assisting those in need, but also builds a solid foundation to continue public-private partnerships to tackle other issues our community faces.”

“I am so thankful to be part of a community that recognizes problems we are collectively facing, and works together to solve them,” said Jim Ness, First Security Bank President and CEO. “We can accomplish so much more when we work together and collaborate. I want to thank the Gallatin County commissioners for recognizing the need and providing this matching grant, the City of Bozeman for their contribution, and to our wonderful business community for rising up to the challenge with their contributions. I am truly humbled and proud to be a part of this effort to address homelessness in our community.”

To learn more about or donate to the Community Commons project, please visit thehrdc.org/community-commons/. 

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PRESS RELEASE

Madison Arm Trail – Rescue

On January 24, 2023, at 11:10 am, the West Yellowstone Police Department dispatch center received a call for an injured snowmobiler on the Madison Arm Trail, five miles north of town.  The snowmobile accidentally left the trail and struck a tree.  The patient was complaining of chest and back pain.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue from the West Yellowstone Section and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District personnel responded to the scene by snowmobile with a specialized rescue sled.  The patient was assessed on scene before being transported off the trail to an awaiting ambulance.  The patient was then transported by ambulance to Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, ID for continued care and evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank the large group of snowmobilers who stopped on the trail and assisted the injured individual with warming blankets and protected the sharp corner of the trail from other snowmobilers potentially crashing into the scene.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.