Gallatin Media Center

On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, just before 1:00 PM, a pair of backcountry skiers were ascending the northern ridge of Mt. Blackmore near Hyalite Reservoir when they triggered a substantial avalanche. One individual was able to escape the slide by sprinting across the slope out of the path, but the other skier was engulfed and carried more than 250 ft downhill and suffered a significant leg injury.

The uninjured skier immediately initiated a beacon search and was able to find his partner at the surface near the bottom of the avalanche path. He was then able to call Gallatin County 911 dispatch and began first aid. Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue responded alongside Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, an American Medical Response ambulance, and representatives from Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.

Due to the location of the injured person and the severity of the injury, the decision was made to use the GCSSAR heli team to short-haul the patient from the avalanche site to an ambulance waiting at Hyalite Reservoir. The helicopter from Central Copters Inc was able to find a safe place to insert three rescuers on the ground nearby. The patient was packaged for transport and the team made use of a long line to transport him to the waiting ambulance, which provided follow-on medical care and transported the patient to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center. The helicopter then returned to retrieve the uninjured skier and the remaining rescue team.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the uninjured skier for his quick action and the pair for having the proper beacons and gear while recreating in terrain where avalanche is possible. He thanks Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center for allowing representatives to go to the incident to evaluate conditions and ensure the safety of rescuers. Finally, Sheriff Springer would like to remind backcountry recreationists that cell service in this incident was a matter of luck, and it is advisable to have a means to communicate with emergency services like a satellite phone or GPS texting service.

On Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 11:47 a.m., the West Yellowstone Police Department dispatch center received a 911 call regarding a snowmobiler who had suffered an arm injury after striking a rock on a snowmobile. The crash had taken place near the Cabin Creek trail 2 miles from the Fir Ridge Trailhead.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District, US Forest Service Law Enforcement, and Yellowstone National Park responded to assist with the rescue.

Rescuers packaged the patient into a specialized snow ambulance and met up with a waiting Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department ambulance. The patient was stabilized and then transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind snowmobilers of the importance of having a communication device with fully charged batteries when recreating in the back country in case of an emergency. This allows for a quick response to the emergency if one occurs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On 3-14-24, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office received information of a school threat made through social media that involved several locations around the state.  Information was received locally that involved the Three Forks School District. In an abundance of caution the school was placed in a brief lockdown. The individuals involved locally in the threat have been located and it has been determined that a threat does not exist for our area. However, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office will continue to have a presence at the school as we continue the investigation.

For immediate release: March 14, 2024

Media contact:
Garrett McAllister, Gallatin County Community Development Manager
406-582-3130
garrett.mcallister@gallatin.mt.gov 

Upcoming Gallatin County Future Land Use Map & Housing Strategy Public Engagement 

Built on the vision and priorities for future land use established in the 2021 Growth Policy, Gallatin County is in the process of creating a Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and Housing Strategy, to guide future development while honoring the community’s desire to protect what it loves. This process will be continuously informed by public engagement, with an initial round of outreach in March 2024 and a follow-up round in the late summer/fall of 2024. Once developed, the FLUM will provide guidance for growth and development, and serve as the planning foundation for future zoning reform.  

The public’s feedback during the development of the FLUM is critical to ensure future growth is managed in a way that supports the community’s vision. Residents are invited to join the Gallatin County Planning Department during the first round of outreach at one of four upcoming in-person meetings and one virtual meeting. Snacks and kid-friendly activities will be provided!  

Tuesday, March 19 – 6-7:30 PM 

Bozeman Public Library
Community Room
626 E. Main St., Bozeman 

Big Sky Water & Sewer Office
561 Little Coyote Rd., Big Sky 

Wednesday, March 20 – 6-7:30 PM 

Gallatin Gateway Community Center
145 Mill St., Gallatin Gateway 

Gallatin Conservation District
120 S. Fifth St., Manhattan 

Thursday, March 28 – 6-7:30 PM 

Zoom Link: https://bit.ly/3V0Vip2
Meeting ID: 844 7667 6774
Passcode: 779586
Call-in number: 1-719-359-4580  

At these meetings, folks can meet the project team, explore current trends, needs, and conditions, and provide feedback that will be used to inform this important effort. During the first phase of outreach the county is seeking feedback on the types of information collected to date, on the ground accuracy, and any questions or concerns that should be considered in the development of the FLUM. 

For anyone unable to make the meetings, feedback can be provided by going to Envision Gallatin where folks can register for updates on project milestones, review and comment on the maps prepared to date, and read more about the project. Residents can also reach the Planning Department directly with questions and feedback by calling 406-582-3130 or by emailing the project team at envision@gallatin.mt.gov. 

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For immediate release: March 13, 2024

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Academy is back and slated to start on March 26! Held every Tuesday night from March 26 through May 14, the academy offers a wonderful opportunity for Gallatin County residents aged 18 and older.

From 6 to 9 p.m., participants will delve into the realm of law enforcement, experiencing firsthand the rigors and rewards of keeping their community safe. Best of all, this experience is entirely FREE.

Engage in immersive exercises including mock traffic stops and drug buys, mastering field sobriety maneuvers, and delving into crime scene management and evidence collection techniques. Aspiring participants can also seize the chance to ride along with seasoned deputies, observe the precision of a 911 dispatcher, meet our exceptional K-9 partners, and so much more!

“We are thrilled to welcome members of our community to the Public Safety Academy. It’s an incredible opportunity to foster understanding and collaboration between law enforcement and our residents,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer.

To secure your spot, register now by contacting Sgt. Erin Taylor via phone at 406-539-0365 or email at erin.taylor@gallatin.mt.gov.

For immediate release: March 8, 2024

Media contact:
Eric Semerad, Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder/Elections Administrator
406-582-3054
eric.semerad@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County Seeking Election Judges for 2024 Primary, General Elections

For immediate release: March 7, 2024 

Media contact:
Jim Simon, Gallatin Solid Waste Management District Manager
406-582-2492
jim.simon@gallatin.mt.gov 

Gallatin County Receives $400k Grant for Food Diversion Efforts 

Gallatin County is the proud recipient of a federal grant that will allow our landfill to work with public and private partners to help reduce food waste in our communities. 

Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded Gallatin County a $400,000 grant to help expand composting operations at Logan Landfill to include food wastes and biosolids.  

The Gallatin Solid Waste Management District (GSWMD) owns and operates Gallatin County’s landfill. Last year, over 200,000 tons of waste were landfilled in Logan. Based on national averages and a waste audit, it’s estimated that 35,000 to 40,000 tons of this is compostable waste.  

Through this new project, GSWMD will expand their biosolids compost operation to include food waste and produce compost that can be distributed to local agricultural producers.  

The Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) operates food banks, food production gardens, Montana’s first and only pay-what-you-can restaurant and food truck, the Warming Center, and public transportation systems in Gallatin County. In its operations, HRDC actively rescues food from grocery stores, farms, and bakeries and feeds the community. Unusable food is either given to animal farmers or composted.  In 2022, HRDC rescued over 730,000 pounds of food.  

This grant will also allow HRDC to expand its food rescue operation to include restaurants and more farms, rescuing an estimated 100,000 additional pounds of food each year.   

“The need for more food in our food banks continues to grow with the high cost of living. It is important now more than ever for us to collect the excess food in our community and distribute it through a meal or our self-choice grocery store,” said Jon Horn, Gallatin Valley Food Bank Operations Manager.  

“This project will allow us to rescue usable food to feed folks in need in our community, compost food and green waste, and create a beneficial product for local residents and farmers, all while diverting the waste from our landfill. This project is a major win for Gallatin County, and we are excited to work with our partners to get this project underway,” said Jim Simon, director of the Gallatin Solid Waste Management District. 

With the grant now in hand, GSWMD is working to develop and build a Covered Aerated Static Pile at Logan Landfill for compositing. They anticipate the site will be ready to start compositing food waste in spring of 2025. 

GSWMD will also be working with HRDC, the Gallatin Conservation District, the Open and Local Coalition, and Prospera Business Network on education, outreach and compost distribution efforts.  

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For immediate release: March 5, 2024 

Media contact:
Audrey Cromwell, Gallatin County Attorney
406-582-3745
audrey.cromwell@gallatin.mt.gov  

Suspect Charged in Connection with Fatal I-90 Crash in Gallatin County

 A man has been charged in connection with a fatal crash that occurred on Interstate 90 in Gallatin County in January.  

On Feb. 27, the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office charged 23-year-old Alexander Norbert Ledoux of Bozeman with Vehicular Homicide While Under the Influence, Fleeing from or Eluding a Peace Officer and 6 counts of Criminal Endangerment.  

Ledoux is charged with killing 22-year-old Laysa Grewell after driving approximately 20 miles in the wrong direction on I-90. Grewell and her fiancé have a 1-year-old child and had recently learned they were expecting a second child. When he crashed into Grewell, LeDoux was travelling approximately 100 MPH with a blood alcohol content of .198. 

Ledoux will make his initial appearance in Gallatin County District Court at 9:30 a.m. on March 28, 2024 before Judge Andrew Breuner. At this hearing, Ledoux will enter a plea to the charges and subsequent hearings will be scheduled.  

Gallatin County Attorney Shannon Foley is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Montana Highway Patrol.  

Here are the affidavit of probable cause and information charging Ledoux. Additional court documents can be found in the Clerk of District Court’s Office at the Law and Justice Center in Bozeman. Case number: DC 24-131D. 

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For immediate release: March 4, 2024

Media contact:
Audrey Cromwell, Gallatin County Attorney
406-582-3745
audrey.cromwell@gallatin.mt.gov

Charging Documents Now Available in Megan Stedman Homicide Investigation

Following up on the below press release sent earlier on March 4, documents related to this case are now available.

• Order Finding Probable Cause
• Affidavit of Probable Cause and Motion in Support of Filing a Complaint
• Arrest Warrant

If you or someone you know has experienced domestic violence, there are numerous local resources:

• Haven’s 24-hour support line – 406-586-4111
• Help Center Sexual Assault Counseling Center 24-hour hotline – 406-586-3333
• Gallatin County Victim Services – 406-582-2075
• Montana State University VOICE Center – 406-994-7069
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233

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ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE

Update on Megan Stedman Homicide Investigation

Please see the following joint press release from Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell and Bonneville County, Idaho Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal.

Full press release here.

More information will be released soon.

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For immediate release: March 4, 2024

Media contact:
Audrey Cromwell, Gallatin County Attorney
406-582-3745
Audrey.cromwell@gallatin.mt.gov

Update on Megan Stedman Homicide Investigation

Please see the following joint press release from Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell and Bonneville County, Idaho Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal.

Full press release here.

More information will be released soon.

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