PRESS RELEASE

M Trail Rescue

On January 3, 2023, at 3:15pm, Gallatin County dispatch received a call for a paraglider who was injured on the M Trail.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section along with American Medical Response, Bridger Canyon Fire, and U.S. Forest Service responded to the M Trail. Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescuedeployed a hasty team and two secondary teams up the trail. A team of two Bridger Canyon Fire EMT’s established initial contact with the patient.

Search and Rescue teams loaded the patient onto a one wheel litter and brought them directly down slope to the trailhead. AMR transported the patient to the next higher level of care for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationaliststhat winter weather can result in an emergency situationquickly. It is important to be prepared for the weather and have a safety plan for an unexpected turn of events.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

Belgrade Police Department

91. E. Central Ave, Belgrade, MT 59717

Phone | 406.388.4262

Dustin E. Lensing, Chief of Police | David Keen, Deputy Chief

________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release:

BELGRADE, MT- On December 31, 2022, at approximately 7:43pm, personnel from the Belgrade Police Department, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Central Valley Fire District responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Jackrabbit Lane, just south of Amsterdam Road.  The pedestrian, a female, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The identity of the victim has not been released, pending notification of next of kin.  No other details are available at this time. This matter is under investigation by members of our Criminal Investigations Division.  Any persons who may have been a witness to the incident are encouraged to contact the Belgrade Police Department, CID Division, at 406.388.4262.

###

PRESS RELEASE

BUCK RIDGE TRAIL RESCUE

On December 26, 2022, at 1:33 pm, Gallatin County dispatch received a call that a snowmobiler had sustained a leg injury on Buck Ridge Trail.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) Big Sky Section and Big Sky Fire responded to assist with the call. A GCSSAR team snowmobiled to the patient’s location with the ambulance sled in tow. The patient was assessed and transported to the waiting Big Sky Fire Ambulance who took the patient to the next higher level of care.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind winter recreationalist that even a trail ride can result in a medical emergency. Please ride within your capabilities and enjoy the amazing back country in which we get to recreate.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

HORSE BUTTE INJURED SNOWMOBILER                 

On Monday, December 19, 2022, at 10:54 a.m. the West Yellowstone Police Department dispatch center received a 911 call from a snowmobiler on Horse Butte, 7 miles northwest of West Yellowstone. The passenger of a two-up snowmobile had become trapped underneath after the snowmobile flipped upside down. The passenger was reported to possibly have a broken leg.

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

Rescuers were able to lift the snowmobile off the snowmobiler and determine that their leg was not broken. Both riders were escorted back to town safely.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the snowmobiler for quickly realizing the need to call for help thus allowing responders to get to the scene quickly and provide aid.

For immediate release: December 16, 2022

City of Belgrade Parking Ordinance Revision 2023

On January 4, 2023, City of Belgrade Revised Parking Ordinance 5-4 will take effect. Major changes to the existing ordinance include some of the following:

• Penalties for violation of the ordinance will change from a misdemeanor offense to a civil penalty of $20 per infraction, plus administrative fees for delinquent payments.
• On-street parking will only be allowed for 3 days (72 hours) instead of 5 days
• Issuance of standardized parking tickets, and language allowing for the vehicle to be directly ticketed, as opposed to an identified offender
• Vehicles (motorized and non-motorized) left on the roadway must be moved a full vehicle length to avoid a violation
• Vehicles with three or more outstanding violations can be immobilized and/or towed

Additional information, including a full copy of the ordinance, can be found at www.belgrademt.gov/parking.

###

For immediate release: December 14, 2022

As of 3:20 PM on Wednesday, Dec. 14, travel on Interstate 90 between Bozeman and Belgrade is down to one lane each in both the eastbound and westbound lanes at extremely slow speeds. Responders from across the area have been responding to more than a dozen crashes.

If you are driving on I-90, please slow down and use caution in that area. If you are able, please use an alternate route if possible.

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

###

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