Gallatin Media Center

PRESS RELEASE

Tepee Creek Trail Rescue

On Thursday March 3, 2022 at 4:45 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the Tepee Creek Trail, 17 miles northwest of town. An individual riding a snowmobile in the backcountry collided with one of their riding partners, causing an upper leg injury.

Search and Rescue volunteers, Custer Gallatin National Forest Law Enforcement and Yellowstone National Park Rangers responded with a specialized rescue sled and were able to treat the patient on scene before transporting to a nearby helicopter landing zone on the mountain.  Care was transferred over to Air Idaho and the patient was flown by medical helicopter to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone riding off trail to be aware of your surroundings and to be extra careful as you are often a long distance away from emergency responders.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: March 2, 2022

At approximately 5:35 PM, the convoy was spotted passing through Butte. We expect it to be further delayed and arriving in Belgrade closer to 7 PM.

For immediate release: March 2, 2022

Belgrade traffic update: The estimated arrival time for the convoy in Belgrade is now 5:30 to 6 PM.

For immediate release: March 2, 2022

For people interested in watching the U.S. Freedom convoy in Belgrade this afternoon (March 2), we have a few requests:

• Arrive early as there could be significant traffic in the area starting well before 4 PM.
• We ask that supporters begin to arrive absolutely no later than 3:30 PM.
• Please park safely in legal parking areas.
• Please DO NOT park alongside Interstate 90 or on any on-ramps or off-ramps at the exits.
• Please be respectful of private property and DO NOT block driveways or business accesses.
• Please follow all traffic and pedestrian laws.
• Please be patient and respectful of others in the area!

Convoy vehicles driving eastbound on I-90 are expected to exit into Belgrade at exit 298 at Amsterdam Road and head to the Flying J at the intersection of Amsterdam Road and Jackrabbit Lane. Following their stop, they will be directed to return to I-90 eastbound at Jackrabbit Lane.

It is anticipated that only trucks seeking services will exit at Belgrade and trucks not needing services are encouraged to continue east on I-90. We ask citizens to take this into consideration if when selecting a place to view the convoy.

Jackrabbit Lane at the interchange could be closed to through traffic for a period of time as convoy vehicles move through the area. We will work to keep traffic flowing as normally as possible.

Drivers heading both north and south on Jackrabbit Lane near the I-90 interchange may experience significant delays. There may be times when traffic is also impassable on Amsterdam Road between the off ramp and Flying J.

While the exact timeframe of how long traffic will be impacted is unknown, we anticipate the heaviest delays will be between 4 and 6 PM.

Law enforcement will be in the area and may be directing traffic to help alleviate impacts to drivers as best as possible. Signs will also be placed to help drivers find alternate routes.

We encourage drivers to plan ahead and utilize the following roads to avoid the interchange:

• I-90 exit 299 at Airway Boulevard
• Valley Center Road
• Thorpe Road
• Frontage Road

We appreciate the public’s help in ensuring this event is safe for all involved.

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

For immediate release: March 1, 2022 

Gallatin County has identified areas of concern and developed preliminary recommendations for the Greater Triangle Area Transportation Plan. The greater triangle area generally lies between Four Corners, Belgrade, and Bozeman and extending south to Gallatin Gateway. It includes the areas of Gallatin County where development is likely to occur in the future. Over 80 recommendations have been developed to address identified areas of concern and improve the transportation system over the 20-year planning horizon. The preliminary recommendations were identified through previous public involvement efforts in May and June of 2021 as well as a detailed analysis of existing and projected conditions. Recommendations consist of roadway facility upgrades to accommodate existing and future travel demands as well as non-motorized facility upgrades to improve connectivity and mobility. 

The county is hosting an online open house to provide information to interested parties about the identified areas of concern and gather feedback on the preliminary recommendations. Due to health and safety concerns, the open house will be hosted virtually on the plan website with a variety of interactive content. The open house will be active for 30 days. Please participate at your convenience.   

WHAT: Greater Triangle Area Online Public Open House  

WHEN: March 1, 2022 – April 1, 2022 

WHERE: www.triangletransportationplan.com/publicmeeting2

​In addition to the virtual open house, the county will also host a live virtual presentation on March 15. The draft Greater Triangle Area Transportation Plan will be released at that time. The presentation will briefly cover the contents of the plan, provide an overview of the identified recommendations, and offer an opportunity for public comment. The presentation will be recorded and posted to the plan website for those who are unable to attend live. 

WHAT: Greater Triangle Area Virtual Presentation  

WHEN: March 15, 2022 at 12 PM 

TO REGISTER: www.triangletransportationplan.com/publicmeeting2 

Pre-registration is required to attend.   

Community input is a very important part of the process. The public is encouraged to participate in the open house and attend the virtual presentation to share their concerns, thoughts, and ideas with the project team. This study is intended to be a collaborative effort between the county, stakeholders, and the public. As such, all input gathered from the open house will be considered by the planning team and be used to refine the recommendations and the overarching Greater Triangle Area Transportation Plan.  

Comments can be submitted at any time to the project manager, Scott Randall, via email at srandall@rpa-hln.com, by phone at 406-447-5005, or by mail at 3147 Saddle Drive, Helena, MT 59601. For more information about the project, visit www.triangletransportationplan.com. 

 

For immediate release: February 28, 2022

Traffic impacts are anticipated on Jackrabbit Lane and Amsterdam Road in Belgrade on Wednesday afternoon as a trucker convoy is expected to make a stop. Drivers are encouraged to plan alternate routes and avoid the area starting around 4 PM to decrease traffic impacts.

The U.S. Freedom Convoy, composed of semi-trucks, passenger cars and trucks, and motorcycles, will be making its way across the country this week on Interstate 90 on the way to Washington D.C. and is expected to stop in Belgrade on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 2.

Convoy vehicles driving eastbound on I-90 are expected to exit into Belgrade at exit 298 at Amsterdam Road and head to the Flying J at the intersection of Amsterdam Road and Jackrabbit Lane. Following their stop, they will be directed to return to I-90 eastbound at Jackrabbit Lane.

Jackrabbit Lane at the interchange will be closed to through traffic as convoy vehicles move through the area.

Drivers heading both north and south on Jackrabbit Lane near the I-90 interchange can expect significant delays. There may be times when traffic is also impassable on Amsterdam Road between the off ramp and Flying J.

While the exact timeframe of how long traffic will be impacted is unknown, we anticipate the heaviest delays will be between 4 and 6 PM.

Law enforcement will be in the area directing traffic to help alleviate impacts to drivers as best as possible. Signs will also be placed to help drivers find alternate routes.

We encourage drivers to utilize the following roads to avoid the interchange:

• I-90 exit 299 at Airway Boulevard
• Valley Center Road
• Thorpe Road
• Frontage Road

For public wanting to observe the convoy, law enforcement will have recommended areas that will help ensure public safety and minimize traffic impacts. We will provide that information soon.

The Belgrade Police Department is working with the Central Valley Fire District, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, the Montana Highway Patrol and Gallatin County Emergency Management to ensure traffic impacts from this event are as minimal as possible.

REPORTERS: Belgrade Police Chief Dustin Lensing will be available to do interviews and answer any questions you may have on Tuesday, March 1 at 11 AM at the Belgrade Police Department – 91 E. Central Ave.

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

PRESS RELEASE

DOE CREEK SNOWMOBILE RESCUE

On February 26^th 2022 at 10:33 am, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call for a snowmobiler who was injured after leaving a groomed trail at a high rate of speed and striking a tree, 5 miles from the Doe Creek Trailhead.  Initial reports indicated the snowmobiler had a fractured leg and hip pain.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in Big Sky responded to the Doe Creek Trail and deployed a snowmobile rescue team immediately up the trail.  The patient was quickly located and transported to a waiting Big Sky Fire Department Ambulance.  The patient was then transported to Big Sky Medical Center.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind the public to slow down and use caution when navigating backcountry trail systems by snowmobile.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

SOUTH PLATEAU SNOWMOBILE CRASH

On Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to the South Plateau trail 2.73 south of West Yellowstone. A snowmobiler and passenger were reported to have had sustained pelvic injuries and possible broken ribs after colliding with a tree.

Volunteers quickly loaded the patients and transported them to a waiting Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department ambulance. After assessing the injuries Hebgen Basin Fire released one patient and transported the other to the Big Sky Medical Center for treatment.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind snowmobilers to be especially cautious when carrying a passenger. Make sure the snowmobile you plan to use is designed and equipped to carry two people. Stay with your group and make sure you always carry an emergency kit with you.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

South Fork Trail Rescue

On Friday February 25, 2022 at 4:30 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the South Fork Trail, 7 miles southwest of town. An individual riding a snowmobile left the trail and crashed into a tree, suffering head and facial injuries.

SAR Volunteers, Custer Gallatin National Forest Law Enforcement and an EMT from the Hebgen Basin Fire Department responded with a specialized rescue sled and were able to treat the patient on scene before transporting off the trail and to a nearby ambulance. The patient was transferred over to the Hebgen Basin Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and was then transported to the Big Sky Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone out enjoying the trails and backcountry that trail conditions can change rapidly and accidents happen quickly.  Wearing proper riding gear, including a helmet, can save your life.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a snowmobile accident involving a fatality near West Yellowstone. The investigation is still ongoing and cause of death is pending. The accident involved 65-year-old Frank James Crow of Alabama. Crow’s snowmobile left the trail and struck a tree on the Little Snowy Trail. Crow had become separated from his wife who he was riding with and had not been seen for approximately 60 minutes. Crow was later discovered just off the trail by Gallatin County Sheriff Search & Rescue volunteers who were searching for him. A coroner from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is handling the death investigation. Thank you to Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department, who assisted with the recovery. Our deepest condolences to the Crow family during this time.
________________________________ ________________________________
Beker Cuelho, Deputy Coroner Benjamin Burtch, Chief Deputy Coroner