Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: December 15, 2021

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.

You can find your COVID-19 vaccine from local pharmacies and clinics throughout the county. It is highly recommended that you make a plan to get fully vaccinated to help protect yourself and others.

The GCCHD website provides up-to-date times, dates, and locations where you can get your COVID-19 vaccine anywhere in Gallatin County. Visit our website and make a plan to get your vaccine today.

• • Combined clinics with Gallatin City-County Health Department and Bozeman Health
    • There are clinics held this week at Bozeman Health, however the appointments are full at this time. See below for additional clinic times.
    • Please note the new entrance starting Dec. 20, and different times for the holiday weeks:
      • Tuesday, December 21 – All COVID-19 as well as flu vaccines are available – from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital – ENTRANCE 4
      • Wednesday. December 22 – All COVID-19 as well as flu vaccines are available – from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital – ENTRANCE 4
      • Monday, December 27 – All COVID-19 as well as flu vaccines are available – from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital – ENTRANCE 4
      • Tuesday, December 28 – All COVID-19 as well as flu vaccines are available – from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital – ENTRANCE 4
      • Wednesday, December 29 – All COVID-19 as well as flu vaccines are available – from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital – ENTRANCE 4
  • Big Sky Medical Center weekly clinic hours:
    • Wednesdays – 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Adult Pfizer (12+ for primary series, 18+ for boosters)
    • Fridays – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Moderna (18+) primary series and boosters
    • Fridays – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Pediatric Pfizer, 5-11 year-olds
  • Other locations to get your COVID-19 vaccine:
    • Thursday, December 16 – Best Practice Medicine will be located at Ressler Toyota from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – offering Adult Pfizer and Janssen
    • Friday, December 17 – Best Practice Medicine will be located at Ressler Audi from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – offering Adult Pfizer and Janssen
  • FLU VACCINE clinics are being held at Gallatin City-County Health Department – These are walk-in clinics, no appointment necessary:
    • Monday, December 20 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Anyone 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine
    • By appointment as well! Call the health department to make yours today, 406-582-3100
  • IF YOU ARE FEELING SICK – GET TESTED! Gallatin City-County Health Department holds FREE COVID-19 rapid testing on Fridays and Saturdays at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds.
    • Fridays – 5 to 8 p.m.
    • Saturdays – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open five days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about COVID-19. Any calls received after business hours will be returned the following business day. You can reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123.

The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website. 

For immediate release: December 15, 2021

The holidays have arrived. As you make plans to celebrate with friends and family, also make plans to have a safe ride home by designating a sober driver or using a rideshare service. Don’t spend your holidays in jail, or worse, in an ambulance.

See the full press release here.

Media contact:
Dan Springer, Gallatin County Sheriff
406-582-2100
dan.springer@gallatin.mt.gov

For immediate release: December 13, 2021

 

Media contact:
Patrick Lonergan, Chief of Gallatin County Emergency Management
patrick@readygallatin.com
406-548-0116

When Montanans are in need, we answer the call and in Gallatin County that is no different. Recently five of our own first responders assisted a small central Montana town that was being ravaged by a December wildfire.

On Wednesday, Dec. 1, five responders from Gallatin County were deployed to Denton while the West Wind Fire was burning through the town. They all arrived that evening and began supporting Fergus County with management of the incident. This support was in two areas.

Four personnel were deployed as part of the Montana County Assist Team to manage the fire response. Those included:

• Patrick Lonergan (Chief of Gallatin County Emergency Management), who served as Deputy Incident Commander
• Mike Maltaverne (Assistant Chief of Bozeman Fire Department), who served as Safety Officer
• Brian Nickolay (Chief of Hyalite Fire Department), who served as Division/ Group Supervisor
• Matt Norby (Operations Captain of Bozeman Fire Department), who served as Division/ Group Supervisor

And Jason Jarrett of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office was deployed as the Mutual Aid Coordinator for the Montana Sheriff’s and Peace Officers Association.

These responders engaged in management of the wildland and structure fires, along with initial damage assessment, late on the evening of Dec. 1. The County Assist Team took on responsibility for suppression of the fire and mitigation of the hazards created by the fire. The law enforcement mutual aid relieved local law enforcement so they could get some rest by taking on law enforcement functions such as damage assessment, access control and securing the community.

These personnel all have day jobs in our community, but on short notice departed and were in Denton in a few hours. They each have specialized skills that they have been trained in to help bring structure and stabilize the incident. The County Assist Team has team members from various agencies across the state that come together on short notice as an incident management team to quickly bring structure and support to affected communities to gain control of an incident.

The loss of any structures in a fire is devastating to the owners and when this many buildings are lost in a community, it is catastrophic. The final number of destroyed buildings in the Denton community will be a noticeable percentage of their building stock and result in a long road to recovery for them.

Our local personnel who responded to Denton took their experience and skills to help Fergus County on their bad day. This statewide participation not only helps our neighbors during their time of need, but builds our personnel’s experience that they then bring back to Gallatin County. We also know that we help others when they need it, and when we have bad days like Bridger Foothills Fire, they come help us. No jurisdiction has all the resources they need when a large incident occurs and we all depend on outside help during bad times.

For immediate release: December 13, 2021

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

Gallatin County Treatment Court will be holding its annual celebration on Friday, Dec. 17. Treatment Court will begin at 9 AM in the 18^th Judicial District Court – Department 3 – Judge John Brown’s courtroom at the Law and Justice Center, located at 615 South 16^th Ave in Bozeman.

The celebration is to honor ongoing success and sobriety of the Treatment Court participants.

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.

The five core values of Treatment Court are Honesty, Integrity, Responsibility, Sobriety and Service.

Judge Brown voiced appreciation for the support of the Treatment Court program. “Prior to Treatment Court, their lives revolved around drugs, alcohol, and jail. But with the support of the Treatment Court team, our participants are clean and sober. They are employed, and they have stable residences. And they are free to experience the joy of the holidays with their friends and family,” he said.  Judge Brown also voiced appreciation for the Gallatin County Commissioners ongoing support of Treatment Court.

At the celebration, participants receive gifts and treats donated by the Friends of Treatment Court and other supportive community members.

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
Vicki DeBoer, Clinical Supervisor 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

 Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Treatment Court.

There has been a recent uptick in “spear phishing” cyber-attacks in the Big Sky area. Spear phishing uniquely targets specific individuals or businesses by constructing messages that sound trustworthy. Spear phishing messages may appear to come from trusted individuals with fake email addresses which are created to look similar to someone you know. The content of spear phishing messages may include details about the business you work for, your hobbies, or interests. Spear phishing attacks can come in the form of emails, text messages, or voice calls. Spear phishing attacks may try to get you to reveal sensitive information or transfer money to illegitimate accounts.

There are some simple ways to protect yourself. Beware of messages which create a sense of urgency. Urgency is used to get you to react quickly without thinking of the consequences. Check the email address to ensure messages are coming from legitimate sources. If you receive a suspicious message or phone call, disconnect and call the person or business back from a phone number you know to be correct to verify who is contacting you. Regularly change your password and consider dual factor authentication to make sure your email address doesn’t get compromised. Don’t click on web links unless you know who sent it to you and why. If there is ever a question about the authenticity of a phone call or message, contact your IT department. If you suffer a loss, typically either a monetary loss or identity theft, contact the Sheriff’s Office to report the incident.

For immediate release: December 1, 2021

The Gallatin City-County Health Department is saddened to announce that three more Gallatin County residents have passed away from complications due to COVID-19.

See the full press release here.

You can find your COVID-19 vaccine from local pharmacies and clinics throughout the county. It is highly recommended that you make a plan to get fully vaccinated.  Those 18 years and older should get a booster at least 6 months after completing your primary vaccination series. If you received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine you should get a booster at least 2 months after completing your primary vaccination. 

The GCCHD website provides up-to-date times, dates, and locations where you can get your COVID-19 vaccine anywhere in Gallatin County. Visit our website and make a plan to get your vaccine today.

Combined clinics with Gallatin City-County Health Department and Bozeman Health

• • • There are clinics held this week at Bozeman Health, however the appointments are full at this time. See below for additional clinic times next week:
      • Sat., Dec. 4 – Pediatric Pfizer ONLY – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital – Entrance 1
      • Wed., Dec. 8 – All COVID-19 as well as flu vaccines are available – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital – Entrance 1
      • Thurs., Dec. 9 – All COVID-19 as well as flu vaccines are available – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital – Entrance 1
      • Fri., Dec. 10 – All COVID-19 as well as flu vaccines are available – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital – Entrance 1

Big Sky Medical Center weekly clinic hours:

• • Wednesdays – 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Adult Pfizer (12+ for primary series, 18+ for boosters)
  • Fridays – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Moderna (18+) primary series and boosters
  • Fridays – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Pediatric Pfizer, 5-11 year-olds

Other locations to get your COVID-19 vaccine:

• • Wed., Dec. 1 – HealthCare Connections mobile clinic – Janssen – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Head Start Bozeman
  • Sat., Dec. 4 – HealthCare Connections mobile clinic – Janssen – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bozeman Library

FLU VACCINE clinics are held at Gallatin City-County Health Department – These are walk-in clinics, no appointment necessary:

• • Mon., Dec. 6 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Anyone 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine
  • Mon., Dec. 13 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Anyone 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine

IF YOU ARE FEELING SICK – GET TESTED! Gallatin City-County Health Department holds FREE COVID-19 rapid testing on Fridays and Saturdays at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds.

• • Fridays – 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Saturdays – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open five days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about COVID-19. Any calls received after business hours will be returned the following business day. You can reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123.

The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website. 

For immediate release: November 29, 2021

The Big Sky Country State Fair is honored to announce they received 12 awards in various categories in the 2021 International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Virtual Awards Show.

Click here for the full press release. 

Media contact:
Amanda Hartman, Gallatin County Fairgrounds Marketing & Sponsorship Coordinator
Amanda.Hartman@gallatin.mt.gov
406-582-3275

Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools

 

For immediate release: November 24, 2022

Media contact:
Matthew Henry, Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools
406-582-3090
matthew.henry@gallatin.mt.gov

After two years of virtual and cancelled state spelling bees, Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools Matthew Henry has announced that the 2022 Treasure State Spelling Bee will be held in person in Bozeman. Henry, director of the state bee, said that the 57^th Annual Treasure State Spelling Bee has been scheduled for Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 1 PM at Montana State University. The bee will be conducted using the traditional oral spelling bee format and pandemic protocols for contestants and audience members will be in place where possible.

The Treasure State Spelling Bee is the final competition for determining one student who will represent Montana at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. The bee is open to students in grades 4 through 8 from all public and private schools in Montana and will feature the top 70 spellers in the state as determined by classroom, school, and county-level competitions. The Montana Television Network is sponsoring the event.

The 2022 Treasure State Spelling Bee will be held in Ballroom A of the SUB and will include a complimentary lunch for contestants and families and the opportunity for the spellers to meet local VIP’s. Bee officials are well-known television and print journalists. Prizes will be awarded to the top spellers and the winner of the bee will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May 2022 to compete for $50,000 and other prizes.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee reaches millions of students across the country and around the world through its nationally televised competition and by providing classroom materials and contests guides to schools that are enrolled in the program. Scripps’ goal is to help students improve their spelling ability and vocabularies and to develop correct English usage that will help them throughout their lives.

Participation in local bees provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in public speaking, develop confidence, and inspire a love of learning and social connections with peers. Local schools conduct classroom and school bees throughout December and January and Henry’s office confirmed that the Gallatin County Spelling Bee will also be held in person in mid-February 2022. Schools in Montana are eligible to enroll in the 2021-2022 Scripps program now through January 31, 2022. Educators can visit Spellingbee.com/enrollment to learn more and to enroll their schools in the program.

Photos provided by the Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools.

On November 23, 2021, at 10:44 AM, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call for a hiker with a possible broken ankle on the M Trail.  The hiker was one half mile up the trail.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Volunteers, AMR, and Bridger Canyon Fire responded to the M Trailhead.  Volunteers met with the patient on the trail, stabilized the injured ankle, loaded them into a one-wheeled litter, and subsequently transported the patient down the trail.  The patient was taken by AMR to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists that an accident can occur on familiar, frequently used trails.  Dressing for the weather, having a charged phone, and hiking with a companion can greatly reduce rescue times and provide comfort during changing conditions.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office

For immediate release: November 23, 2021

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.

Last week, the CDC and the ACIP expanded recommendations for booster shots to include all adults ages 18 years and older who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least six months after their second dose. While we are still focused on providing primary series vaccinations for those who qualify, providers in Gallatin County are also giving booster doses for all three COVID-19 vaccines.

The GCCHD website provides up-to-date times, dates, and locations where you can get your COVID-19 vaccine anywhere in Gallatin County. Visit our website and make a plan to get your vaccine today.

• • Combined clinics with Gallatin City-County Health Department and Bozeman Health
    • Tues., Nov. 23 – Moderna, Pfizer (1, 2, or 3 dose), Janssen (1 or 2 dose) and Pediatric Pfizer – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital – Entrance 1
    • Thurs., Dec. 2 – Moderna, Pfizer (1, 2, or 3 dose), Janssen (1 or 2 dose) and Pediatric Pfizer – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital – Entrance 1
    • Sat., Dec. 4 – Pediatric Pfizer ONLY – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital – Entrance 1

• Big Sky Medical Center weekly clinic hours:

• • Wednesdays – 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Adult Pfizer (12+ for primary series, 18+ for boosters)
  • Fridays – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Moderna (18+) primary series and boosters
  • Fridays – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Pediatric Pfizer, 5-11 year olds

• Other locations to get your COVID-19 vaccine:

• • Wed., Dec. 1 – HealthCare Connections mobile clinic – Janssen – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Head Start Bozeman
  • Sat., Dec. 48 – HealthCare Connections mobile clinic – Janssen – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bozeman Library

• FLU VACCINE clinics are held at Gallatin City-County Health Department – These are walk-in clinics, no appointment necessary:
  • Mon., Nov. 29 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Anyone 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine
  • Mon., Dec. 6 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Anyone 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine

• IF YOU ARE FEELING SICK – GET TESTED! Gallatin City-County Health Department holds FREE COVID-19 rapid testing on Fridays and Saturdays at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. This site will be open over the holiday weekend!

• • Fridays – 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Saturdays – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open five days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about COVID-19. Any calls received after business hours will be returned the following business day. You can reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123.

The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website.