Gallatin Media Center

On September 3, 2021, at 12:15pm Gallatin County Dispatch received a 911 call from a group of hikers trekking along Blackmore trail. The caller reported one of their members was feeling dizzy and light headed, about 5 miles from the trailhead, and required assistance coming down the trail.

Gallatin County Sherriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers responded to Hyalite reservoir. GCSSAR volunteers began making their way up the trail to locate the patient and other hikers. The GCSSAR team met the patient and hikers as they were making their way back down the trail. The patient was evaluated onsite and showed no signs of injury other than dehydration. All of the hikers in the group and SAR personnel hiked out together.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind everyone enjoying the outdoors to bring extra water and food while hiking in the backcountry.  Elevation, weather, and terrain are constantly changing in the backcountry and being over prepared can only help during an emergency.

Photos courtesy of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For Immediate Release: September 3, 2021

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

See the full press release here.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about COVID-19. Reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123.

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

Find information on COVID-19 vaccines in Gallatin County here.

For immediate release: September 2, 2021

The Gallatin City-County Health Department is offering diabetes prevention program in both English and Spanish starting in October 2021.

Over 1 in 3 (37.4%) adults in Montana have prediabetes. Without lifestyle change, prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes within five years, putting many Montanans at risk of unnecessary suffering and healthcare costs. Read the full press release here.

The English cohort begins October 20, 2021, and the Spanish cohort begins November 10, 2021. Both require pre-registration and a medical referral. For more information about this program, please call or text Rita at 406-581-1242, or email maria.rita@gallatin.mt.gov.

Gallatin County Planning Department

 

For immediate release: September 1, 2021

The Gallatin County Planning Department is excited to announce the final draft of the Gallatin County Growth Policy. More information on the project and the full document can be found at https://envisiongallatin.com.

The County Growth Policy is the document that guides growth, development, and land use patterns across the County. The document vision is centered around three major themes heard during public outreach: Open Space, Heritage, and Opportunity. The document sets goals and policies, with an eye toward clarity and specificity. The update is comprehensive, reflecting the County’s status as the fastest growing in the state with updated community background information, additional supporting data, and a forward-looking implementation plan.

The adoption of the plan by the Gallatin County Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 21 at the commission’s weekly public meeting. The meeting is held in the Community Room of the Gallatin County Courthouse, 311 W. Main St. in Bozeman. Virtual attendance options are also available. Members of the public are encouraged to attend in person or virtually. The full agenda and attendance options will be posted at this link the week prior to the meeting.

Questions or comments can also be submitted anytime by contacting the project manager, Garrett McAllister, at garrett.mcallister@gallatin.mt.gov.

 

For immediate release: August 31, 2021

The Gallatin County Commission has lifted the county-wide burn ban as of Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Citing recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, and safer fuel levels, the Commission on voted 3-0 on Tuesday to rescind the county’s burn ban ordinance adopted on July 20.

“Everything points to us rescinding these current restrictions,” said Commission Chair Scott MacFarlane, adding, “We can always go back as needed.”

“I’m grateful to the folks across the county who have done their part to keep things from getting away from us here in Gallatin County. And I’m grateful for the work of firefighters and first responders across the state and nation,” said Commissioner Zach Brown.

Graph provided by the Northern Rockies Coordination Center.

Patrick Lonergan, Gallatin County’s chief of emergency management and fire, reminds everyone to continue burning responsibly as fire season in Montana has not ended.

“Gallatin County’s wildland fuel conditions are now closer to average for this time of year, but keep in mind this does not mean that a fire can’t escape and become a large fire,” Lonergan said. “It is imperative that everyone follow safe burning practices at all times and never burn when weather conditions aren’t safe. Let’s not forgot the Bridger Foothills Fire occurred on September 4.”

Burn permits are still required for non-recreational fires. Many fire districts will continue to keep open burning closed until further into the fall when even safer burning conditions exists in their areas.

Burn permits and the most current open burning status information is available at gallatinburnpermits.com.

Residents are encouraged to register for the Community Notification System to ensure they receive timely information about an emergency happening in Gallatin County. For free registration, visit alerts.readygallatin.com.

Tomorrow, fire restrictions will be lifted on public lands within the Custer Gallatin National Forest including the Bozeman and Hebgen Lake Ranger Districts. Last week, the City of Bozeman also lifted its burn ban. And surrounding counties in southwestern Montana are in the process of rescinding similar restrictions.

On August 28, 2021, at 10:01 A.M. Gallatin County 911 received a call for an individual who suffered a seizure while hiking Middle Cottonwood Canyon with a group of friends. After the seizure the hiker was incoherent and unsure of their location.  A nurse hiking at the same time called 911, stayed with the patient, and was able to relay further information to responders.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers responded to the Middle Cottonwood Canyon Trailhead and deployed two teams up the trail with a one wheel litter.  About 2.75 miles up the trail, Search and Rescue teams met the patient. All parties were able to walk out and once back at the trailhead, the patient was turned over to AMR for further medical care.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists that accidents and medical events can happen at any time, anywhere.  Traveling with a partner and having a way to call for help can aid in a fast rescue.  Should you have to recreate alone, always tell someone where you are going and when to expect you back.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For Immediate Release: August 27, 2021

Bozeman Health, Billings Clinic Bozeman, Community Health Partners, and Gallatin City-County Health Department are committed to the health and well-being of the communities we have the honor of serving. Leaders, physicians, providers, and healthcare workers within our respective organizations strongly support the recent decisions of Montana State University, Bozeman School District, and all local schools that require masks of school faculty and staff, students, and visitors.

See the full press release here.

Media Requests:

Lauren Brendel | Bozeman Health | System Director, Marketing and Communications | LBrendel@bozemanhealth.org | 425-260-7124

Zachary Benoit | Billings Clinic Bozeman | Media Relations | ZBenoit@billingsclinic.org | 406-697-4924

Holly Whaley | Gallatin City-County Health Department | Communications Specialist | Holly.Whaley@gallatin.mt.gov | 406-582-3155

Buck Taylor | Community Health Partners | Director, Community Development and Administration | taylorb@chphealth.org | 406-539-9358

On August 23, 2021, at approximately 2:00 pm, Gallatin County Dispatch received a 911 call from a stranded motorist on a Forest Service road near Little Bear Rd. The motorist rented a side by side All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and had taken three children into the mountains. The motorist became stuck and could not get the vehicle out. Luckily, no one was injured, and the motorist had enough service to call 911.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers responded to the area.  Utilizing GCSSAR ATV’s rescuers were able to locate the motorist and children. They were able to get the ATV back onto the trail, and they all rode out together.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind everyone to exercise caution when recreating in the wilderness as accidents can happen to anyone. Familiarize yourself with new equipment and make sure to have extra supplies, water, and a communication device to call for assistance if you need it.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For Immediate Release: August 20, 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.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about COVID-19. Reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123.

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

Find information on COVID-19 vaccines in Gallatin County here.

On August 17, 2021, at 10:14 am, Gallatin County dispatch received a call from a person on the M Trail with a dislocated shoulder.  The caller was at the top of the M Trail and needed assistance to the trailhead after sustaining a fall injury.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue members responded to the trailhead and deployed a hasty team immediately up the trail to assess and stabilize the patient.  Secondary teams deployed up the trail with a one-wheel litter and additional gear.  American Medical Response and Bridger Canyon Fire Department were also dispatched to assist.

Search and Rescue teams quickly arrived on scene with the patient. They assessed the injury and were able to stabilize the shoulder, enabling the patient to walk down the trail.  Team members safely arrived at the trailhead and the patient was subsequently transported Bozeman Health for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind outdoor enthusiasts that slips, trips, and falls can happen on well-traveled trails such as the M.  In this case having a charged cell phone and a friend along for the outing assisted rescuers in obtaining further information, directly from the patient, resulting in an efficient rescue operation.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County