Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: December 13, 2022

Media Contact:
Andrea Lower, Treatment Court Coordinator
406-582-3700
andrea.lower@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County Treatment Court Christmas Celebration

Gallatin County Treatment Court will be holding its annual celebration on Friday, Dec. 16. Treatment Court will begin at 9 AM in the 18^th Judicial District Court- Judge John Brown’s courtroom, Room 129- at the Law and Justice Center, located at 615 S. 16^th Ave. in Bozeman.

The celebration is to honor on-going success and sobriety of the Treatment Court participants and graduates with their family and friends. The five core values of Treatment Court are honesty, integrity, responsibility, sobriety and service.

In 1999, Gallatin County Treatment Court became the first adult treatment court in Montana. It is an 18-month voluntary post-conviction, alternative sentencing program that provides tools necessary to overcome their addiction. This includes supervision and monitoring, drug and alcohol testing along with attending addictions counseling, mental health therapy and support groups.

Judge Brown voiced appreciation for the county’s continued support for the Gallatin County Treatment Court Program.

“The evidence shows that treatment courts are the single most successful intervention for leading people living with substance use disorders out of the justice system and into lives of recovery and stability,” Brown said.

At Friday’s celebration, participants will receive gifts and treats donated by the Friends of Treatment Court and other supportive members in our community.

The Treatment Court Team includes:

• Honorable Judge John Brown, Gallatin County District Court
• Andrea Lower, Treatment Court Coordinator
• Eric Kitzmiller, Chief Deputy Gallatin County Attorney
• Kirsten Mull-Core, Attorney
• Adrienne Ellington, Attorney
• Dr. Jim Murphey, PhD Licensed Clinical Psychologist
• Stacey Lyons, MSW, LAC with Alcohol and Drug Services of Gallatin County
• Erik Peterson, Probation and Parole Officer for Montana Department of Corrections
• Korie Diehl, Assistant Treatment Court Coordinator
• Pattie Urie & Wicker- Facility Dog Team, Canine Companions- MT Big Sky Chapter

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PRESS RELEASE

Bozeman Urban Search

On Sunday, December 11, 2022, at 3:22 a.m., Bozeman Police responded to a report of a developmentally disabled person that was missing and possibly walking around outside without proper winter gear.  After an extensive search of the residence Bozeman Police requested assistance from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue to locate the missing person.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers, along with Bozeman Fire Department and American Medical Response, responded to conduct an urban search.  Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue dog teams began searching outward from the residence for the missing person.   Bozeman Police Officers were mobile searching the area.

The individual was eventually located at a nearby intersection, evaluated by medical personnel, and returned safely to their residence.

PRESS RELEASE

Carrot Basin Rescue

On December 10th, 2022, at 2:23 P.M., Gallatin County Dispatch received a call that a snowmobiler had sustained serious injuries to their lower leg near the Carrot Basin area of Big Sky. Another snowmobile rider had placed the call for help using his satellite phone from the trail.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) Big Sky Section and the Big Sky Fire Department responded to the call. GCSSAR teams deployed on snowmobiles.  When they arrived and assessed the patient they immobilized the injured leg. The patient was packaged and brought out to the awaiting Big Sky Fire Department ambulance. The patient was then transported to the next higher level of care for further evaluation and treatment.

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

For immediate release: Dec. 9, 2022

PRESS RELEASE

Gallatin River Ranch Stranded Motorist

On December 6, 2022, at 6:24pm Gallatin County 911 received a call from a stranded motorist whose vehicle had become stuck in the snow in the area of Nixon Gulch Rd and Gallatin River Rd. The driver and family were traveling home and accidentally slid into a precarious situation in the snow next to a steep drop off. After assessing the situation, the driver determined they didn’t think a tow truck could safely reach the vehicle and requested assistance to get the family home safely.

Due to road conditions and the location of the vehicle, volunteers from the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) Valley Section responded to the area with side by sides and ATV’s to assist the stranded individuals. After a helicopter from Lifeflight Network was able to find their exact location, the entire family was safely brought down from their vehicle and transported home.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind everyone that with the heavy snowfall we have received this year to always travel prepared. Remember to bring warm clothing and have a communication device handy. Even the best equipment can fail in extreme weather so if you need assistance, please call 911 sooner rather than later.

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

For immediate release: Dec. 2, 2022

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

Gallatin County Purchases Farm Bureau Building in Bozeman

Gallatin County has purchased the Farm Bureau building in Bozeman, adding space for current and future county operations to continue serving our growing population.

On Thursday, Dec. 1, the Gallatin County Commission signed closing documents finalizing the purchase of the 24,000-square-foot building, located at 502 S. 19th. Ave., just east of the Law and Justice Center.

“It’s a great addition to our Law and Justice Center campus for our growing county,” said Commissioner Scott MacFarlane. “Purchasing an existing building and renovating is a more economical choice than building new. Getting this facility is a better deal for taxpayers and will help us serve our citizens for years to come.”

The county bought the building from 502 South 19th LLC, managed by Jeffery Greenberg, for $3.6 million. The county is also paying about $150,000 in additional fees for things like inspections and broker’s commission.

County staff will now work to develop plans for remodeling, which the county aims to begin in the fall of 2023.

Remodeling plans depend on what departments are moved into the building, how much space they will require, and what they each need to perform their work. The list of county offices that will be moved into the building hasn’t been finalized, but some departments will include Court Services and 911 Records.

“During our public outreach for the bond to build our new courts building, we told the public that we planned on building a new facility on the Law and Justice Center campus for other programming that wasn’t going to be in the new courts building. We are following through on that promise, but in a different way that enables us to get about twice the space for the same price as building new,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Joe Skinner.

Commissioners will also decide on if the county will rent out any space to organizations outside of the county, including current tenants.

There are 15 tenants currently in the Farm Bureau building. The county will work directly with them through this ownership transition. Tenants will remain in place while the county works on a timeline for them moving out or potentially continuing to lease space. If any of those tenants are displaced, the county will assist them with temporary and/or permanent relocation.

“As we take over this building as the new owners, we are committed to working with each current tenant to help make this transition as seamless as possible,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown. “In the coming months, we will work with each tenant on a transition plan, eventually leading up to a remodel followed by moving in our county departments.”

The Farm Bureau building purchase is one of a number of ongoing capital projects the county is currently engaged in to add needed space, upgrade aging facilities, and provide better and more efficient customer service to our citizens.

Construction of the new courts building, located next to the current Law and Justice Center, began in October. It is slated to be finished by the fall of 2024.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office building, located near the intersection of Jackrabbit and Baxter lanes in Four Corners, will be remodeled and expanded. And a new building for Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue will be constructed at the sheriff’s office Four Corners campus. Both of those projects are slated to start late this spring and wrap up in 2024.

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For immediate release: Dec. 2, 2022

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

Gallatin County Purchases Farm Bureau Building in Bozeman

Gallatin County has purchased the Farm Bureau building in Bozeman, adding space for current and future county operations to continue serving our growing population.

On Thursday, Dec. 1, the Gallatin County Commission signed closing documents finalizing the purchase of the 22,000-square-foot building, located at 502 S. 19th. Ave., just east of the Law and Justice Center.

“It’s a great addition to our Law and Justice Center campus for our growing county,” said Commissioner Scott MacFarlane. “Purchasing an existing building and renovating is a more economical choice than building new. Getting this facility is a better deal for taxpayers and will help us serve our citizens for years to come.”

The county bought the building from 502 South 19th LLC, managed by Jeffery Greenberg, for $3.6 million. The county is also paying about $150,000 in additional fees for things like inspections and broker’s commission.

County staff will now work to develop plans for remodeling, which the county aims to begin in the fall of 2023.

Remodeling plans depend on what departments are moved into the building, how much space they will require, and what they each need to perform their work. The list of county offices that will be moved into the building hasn’t been finalized, but some departments will include Court Services and 911 Records.

“During our public outreach for the bond to build our new courts building, we told the public that we planned on building a new facility on the Law and Justice Center campus for other programming that wasn’t going to be in the new courts building. We are following through on that promise, but in a different way that enables us to get about twice the space for the same price as building new,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Joe Skinner.

Commissioners will also decide on if the county will rent out any space to organizations outside of the county, including current tenants.

There are 15 tenants currently in the Farm Bureau building. The county will work directly with them through this ownership transition. Tenants will remain in place while the county works on a timeline for them moving out or potentially continuing to lease space. If any of those tenants are displaced, the county will assist them with temporary and/or permanent relocation. 

“As we take over this building as the new owners, we are committed to working with each current tenant to help make this transition as seamless as possible,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown. “In the coming months, we will work with each tenant on a transition plan, eventually leading up to a remodel followed by moving in our county departments.”

The Farm Bureau building purchase is one of a number of ongoing capital projects the county is currently engaged in to add needed space, upgrade aging facilities, and provide better and more efficient customer service to our citizens.

Construction of the new courts building, located next to the current Law and Justice Center, began in October. It is slated to be finished by the fall of 2024.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office building, located near the intersection of Jackrabbit and Baxter lanes in Four Corners, will be remodeled and expanded. And a new building for Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue will be constructed at the sheriff’s office Four Corners campus. Both of those projects are slated to start late this spring and wrap up in 2024.

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Photos courtesy of Gallatin County.

For immediate release: Dec. 2, 2022

Gallatin County 911 Now Offering Online Records Requests

The Gallatin County 911 Records Division is happy to now offer an online portal for citizens to make requests for records from the Bozeman Police Department and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

The new online portal is a user-friendly way to request documents from on the go from your phone or from the privacy of your own home.

See the entire press release here.

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

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PRESS RELEASE

CORRETTE RIDGE STUCK SNOWMOBILERS

On Monday, November 28, 2022, at 7:55 p.m., the West Yellowstone Police Department Dispatch Center received a 911 call from two snowmobilers who had abandoned their stuck snowmobile near Corrette Ridge and were in need of assistance. One of the snowmobilers was having difficulty breathing as they attempted to walk back to West Yellowstone. The snowmobilers were reported to have minimal survival gear and only one flashlight.

Volunteers from the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue West Yellowstone Section and Hebgen Basin Fire Department located the snowmobilers in good health 6.45 miles southwest of West Yellowstone.  The snowmobilers were medically assessed and then transported back to West Yellowstone.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone planning to enjoy the outdoors that survival gear is an integral part of any successful outing. Winter weather and temperatures can be demanding and change suddenly. Flashlight, fire starter, reliable means of communication, food and water are all some of the basic necessities to carry with you on your winter adventure.

Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

BOZEMAN URBAN SEARCH

On November 17, 2022, at 7:40pm, Gallatin County 911 received a call for a person with severe mental disabilities that had walked away from home. The person was not dressed appropriately for the weather and the direction of travel was unknown. With temperatures being dangerously cold assistance was requested to help find the individual.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the Valley Section, Bozeman Police Department officers, and the Bozeman Fire Department coordinated their efforts to search the area. GCSSAR Dog Teams and the Drone Team were also utilized.  With numerous law enforcement officers, firefighters, and GCSSAR personnel searching a large area, the missing person was found cold but in overall good health.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone, with the cold temperatures upon us to remember to dress warmly and prepare appropriately for the elements even if you are in a city.

Photos courtesy of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.