Gallatin Media Center

On September 16, 2021, at 6:00pm Gallatin County Dispatch received a call from a hiker who was separated from two other members of their hiking group.

The group departed from Bear Canyon expecting to hike a loop and return to the same location. While hiking, the group became lost and started to walk in the wrong direction. One hiker was able to walk ahead of the group and make a phone call to Gallatin County Dispatch.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section responded and deployed ATV/UTV teams up Sourdough Trail. A helicopter from Billings Clinic was also deployed to look for the missing hikers along the trail system.

Search and Rescue teams located the hikers with assistance from the first hiker’s last known position. There were no reported injuries.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind hikers that a simple day on the trail could take an unexpected turn at any time. Therefore, take extra food, water, and a fully charged cell phone wherever you hike. Furthermore, make sure you have extra clothing, for cold weather is upon us!

On September 16, 2021 at 5:04pm, Gallatin County 911 received a report from an individual whose side-by-side broke down near Big Bear Lake in Little Bear Canyon.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue responded by Forest Service road and located the driver.  Upon locating, responders learned that the vehicle’s steering became disabled, and the driver crashed into a tree.  The driver was uninjured.  Search and Rescue safely transported the driver out of the Canyon and back to their home.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind all motor sport recreationalists to always wear safety gear, and carry plenty of food, water, a map, and extra clothing in the likely event of unexpected weather changes.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

On September 12, 2021, at 11:12 am, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue responded to a report of a paragliding accident in the Bridger foothills.

A paraglider flew too low while descending from the launch point above the “M”.  The pilot snagged a tree, resulting in a back injury from the crash.  The pilot made phone contact with other paragliders who very quickly contacted 911.

Due to the mechanism of injury, an air extraction was necessary from the mountain terrain.  Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue responded with a ground team to make initial contact with the patient, as well as a helicopter team to coordinate a “short haul” from the crash location to an AMR ambulance at Sypes Canyon trailhead.

The patient was located, packaged, and ultimately transported to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, where they received further treatment for their injuries.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind you to call for help in the case of an emergency.  A direct call to 911 provides instantaneous information updates to first responders as well as a precise location of the incident.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

On September 12, 2021, at 1:11 pm, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call for help at the “M” trailhead. An experienced hiker fell while hiking down the long route of the M trail. A muscle spasm caused the hiker to lose footing and, consequently, fall onto some rocks resulting in a back injury. Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue, Bridger Canyon Fire, and AMR were dispatched to the trailhead.

Bridger Canyon Fire arrived first and provided initial treatment for the hiker. AMR and Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue resources arrived on scene shortly after.  Search and Rescue members assisted Bridger Canyon Fire with bringing the hiker to the trailhead.  AMR transported the hiker to Bozeman Health for further evaluation.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind the public that even experienced hikers can slip, trip, or fall.  A cell phone was used to relay patient information and provide an accurate location to rescuers.  Preparation, such as having a charged cell phone and a hiking buddy along, can greatly assist rescue operations.

For immediate release: September 9, 2021

While major updates to Lone Mountain Trail/MT Highway 64 in Big Sky were delayed this year, the project is moving forward this fall with some important components of the project beginning construction this month while the rest of the project is re-bid.

See the full press release here.

Media contact:
Danielle Scharf
Project Manager/Engineer with Sanderson Stewart
dscharf@sandersonstewart.com
406-922-4325

On Sunday September 5, 2021 at approximately 1:50 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in Big Sky responded to a request for assistance from an individual that was running the “Rut Race” on Lone Mountain at Big Sky. One individual running in the event had fallen into rocks and sustained multiple injuries. The individual suffered lacerations and injuries to their head, body and legs.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue and Big Sky Ski Patrol responded with an ATV and specialized rescue sled and were able to treat the patient on scene before transporting off the mountain via “short haul” helicopter out of Bozeman to Big Sky Fire Station #2. The patient was transferred to the Big Sky Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and transport to the hospital.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like remind people enjoying our recreational opportunities in Gallatin County to realize smoky environments and warm temperatures will exhaust recreationalists faster than usual at higher elevations. Recreationalists should always stay hydrated and know personal limitations of abilities.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

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.