Gallatin Media Center

PRESS RELEASE

Tepee Creek Trail Rescue

On Saturday February 19, 2022 at 1:00 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the Tepee Creek Trail, 17.5 miles west of town. An individual riding a snowmobile in the backcountry came down hard off of a steep hill, sustaining a lower leg injury.

SAR Volunteers and a paramedic from Hebgen Basin Fire responded with a specialized rescue sled and were able to treat the patient on scene before transporting off the mountain and to an ambulance. The patient was transferred over to the Hebgen Basin Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and a transport to the Big Sky Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone out enjoying the backcountry that conditions can change rapidly.  Please be extra careful when off trail riding, as you are often a long distance away from emergency responders.  Also remember the importance of a reliable means of communication, which is usually not a cell phone when deep into the backcountry.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Madison Arm Trail Rescue

On Friday February 18, 2022 at 12:15 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the Madison Arm Trail, 5 miles west of town. An individual riding a snowmobile left the trail and crashed into a tree, suffering a leg injury.

Search and Rescue Volunteers and Custer Gallatin National Forest Law Enforcement 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 Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind riders that not only can trail conditions change rapidly, but also to ride to their ability and only travel the posted speed limits on the trail. Always carry a communication device and be prepared to give your GPS location when calling for help.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: February 18, 2022

A search is ongoing for a 74-year-old female dementia patient last seen on the 200 block of Slough Creek Dr. in Bozeman. She left sometime between 10 PM and 4 AM on Feb. 17-18. She is described at 5-feet-5-inches tall, 165 pounds with gray/blonde hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue pants and only socks on her feet.

If you have seen this person, please call 911 immediately. People with dementia can travel quite a distance, even on foot, so we encourage everyone to keep an eye out for this woman. She is unfamiliar with the area and make seek refuge where available, like an open vehicle or shed for example.

Gallatin County Search and Rescue, the Bozeman Police Department, Bozeman Fire Department and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office are working on this search.

For media: Operations are staged in a parking lot at the corner of Resort Drive and Field Street, just north of Huffine Lane. Questions can be directed to Whitney Bermes, public information officer, by call or text at 406-595-8963.

For Immediate Release: February 16, 2022

 

 

 

The Gallatin City-County Health Department is saddened to announce that one more Gallatin County resident has passed away from complications due to COVID-19.

See the full press release here.

 

Find up-to-date times, dates, and locations anywhere in Gallatin County on our website.

• • Gallatin City-County Health Department Clinics – Click here to schedule an appointment. 
    
    • Moderna (18+) and Pfizer (12+) 
      • Friday, February 18 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
      • Friday, February 25 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
      • Friday, March 4 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
      • Friday, March 11 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• • • Pediatric Pfizer (5-11)
      • Thursday, February 24, 2022 | 12:30 to 4 p.m.
      • Thursday, March 3, 2022 | 12:30 to 4 p.m.
      • Thursday, March 10, 2022 | 12:30 to 4 p.m
        

• • IF YOU ARE FEELING SICK – GET TESTED! Click here to find a location nearest you to get tested!

 

PRESS RELEASE

SOUTH PLATEAU SNOWMOBILE CRASH

On Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 9:40 a.m., Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to the South Plateau trail for a snowmobiler who had suffered head and rib injuries after colliding with a tree.

Volunteers quickly located the patient and attended to the reported injuries. The snowmobiler was loaded onto a specialized snowbulance which met a waiting Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department Ambulance. The patient was ultimately transported to the Big Sky Medical Center for treatment.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind snowmobilers to use caution when traversing over rough terrain. Ride within your abilities and always have a means to easily contact emergency responders.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: February 15, 2022

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

The Gallatin County Commission will consider asking voters to decide on local-option sales taxes on marijuana products sold in the county, and is seeking public input on the potential ballot questions.

At their Tuesday, Feb. 22 public meeting, commissioners will discuss and decide upon resolutions of intent to put the following two items on the June 7, 2022 primary election ballot for Gallatin County voters to decide:

• A 3% local-option sales tax on all non-medical (recreational) marijuana products sold in Gallatin County – see resolution here.
• A 3% local-option sales tax on all medical marijuana products sold in Gallatin County – see resolution here.

A resolution of intent sets a public hearing for a decision on an item the commission is considering, and gives notice so that the public can participate in the decision-making process. Commissioners will formally consider adding the questions to the primary election ballot at their March 8 regularly-scheduled public meeting.

In November 2020, Montana voters passed Initiative Measure 190, which allowed for the operation of various categories of marijuana businesses and taxation of marijuana retail sales in Montana counties in which a majority of voters approved the initiative. The initiative passed in Gallatin County with 65.6% of the vote.

If voters in an eligible county pass a local-option marijuana tax, 50% of the tax must be retained by the county, 45% apportioned to the cities and towns in the county based on population, and the remained 5% given to the Montana Department of Revenue to defray state costs associated with the tax.

State law allows counties or cities and towns that receive local-option sales tax revenue for any activity, undertaking or administrative service authorized by law, including costs resulting from the imposition of the tax.

Other Montana counties that have already asked voters to decide on similar local-option marijuana taxes include Yellowstone, Missoula and Park counties. Lewis and Clark County has opted to also put questions on their June ballot. And Butte-Silver Bow is also considering the ballot questions as well.

The public is encouraged to provide comment in any of the following ways:

• Attend the Tuesday, Feb. 22 public meeting at 9 AM, either in person or on Zoom. The meeting will take place in the Community Room of the Gallatin County Courthouse, 311 W. Main St. in Bozeman. A Zoom link to the meeting will be posted here on Feb. 17.
• Email comments to commission@gallatin.mt.gov.
• Call the Gallatin County Commission office at 406-582-3000.
• Drop off written comment at the Gallatin County Commission Office, located in room 306 of the Gallatin County Courthouse.

PRESS RELEASE

SOUTH PLATEAU INJURED SNOWMOBILER

On Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 12:22 p.m., Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to an area 10 miles south of West Yellowstone known as South Plateau for an individual who had suffered a broken leg while snowmobiling.

As SAR Volunteers responded to the scene via snowmobile, an Air Methods helicopter was also dispatched due to the severity of the reported injury.

Volunteers made contact with the patient just as the Air Methods helicopter arrived on scene. The patient was quickly packaged and loaded onto the helicopter then transported to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the Good Samaritans who assisted in keeping the injured snowmobiler safe and warm while awaiting emergency responders.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Led Zeppelin Trail Rescue

On Thursday February 10, 2022 at 3:12 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the Led Zeppelin Trail, 20 miles northwest of town. An individual riding a snowmobile left the trail and crashed into a tree, sustaining a lower leg injury.

SAR Volunteers and a Paramedic from Hebgen Basin Fire responded with a specialized rescue sled and were able to treat the patient on scene before transporting off the trail and to an ambulance 10 miles away. The patient was transferred over to the Hebgen Basin Fire Department Ambulance crew for further medical evaluation and a transport to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the individuals riding with the patient for their preparedness.  They were snowmobiling with emergency gear that allowed them to place a splint on the leg, provide a ground cover to lay on, as well as a sleeping bag and hand warmers to keep the patient warm while rescuers responded.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Madison Arm Trail Rescue

On Thursday February 10, 2022 at 12:15 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to a request for assistance from two snowmobilers on the Madison Arm Trail, 6 miles west of town. Two individuals riding a two up snowmobile left the trail and crashed into a tree, one of them suffering a rib injury and the other sustained facial injuries.

SAR Volunteers, and a paramedic from Hebgen Basin Fire responded with two specialized rescue sleds and were able to treat the patients on scene before transporting off the trail and to a nearby ambulance. Both patients were transferred over to the Hebgen Basin Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and one of them was 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, as can visibility.  Please ride to your ability and only travel the posted speed limits on the trail.  Also recreate with a friend and carry a reliable means of communication.  Rescuers were able to quickly respond to this incident because a friend called immediately and provided accurate GPS coordinates.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.