Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: May 22, 2024 

Media contact:
Miranda Johnson, Clerk of Justice Court
406-582-2192
miranda.johnson@gallatin.mt.gov
 

Gallatin County Justice Court Sending Postcards to Potential Jurors for 2024-2025 Term 

This week, Gallatin County residents who have been selected to serve in the upcoming jury term for Gallatin County Justice Court will receive official notifications regarding their selection. These individuals are kindly asked to promptly complete a related questionnaire.  

Gallatin County Justice Court sent out roughly 4,500 notices this week to residents who were randomly chosen to be a part of Justice Court’s upcoming jury term which runs from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025.  

Names for this jury term pool were randomly drawn from a combined list of registered voters, licensed drivers and Montana ID card holders. 

Justice Court has two Justice of the Peace judges who handle misdemeanor criminal citations issued by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Highway Patrol, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport police, and the Montana Department of Transportation. They are also responsible for seeing people making initial appearances on felony charges. The civil division handles orders of protection, landlord/tenant disputes, and contract disputes not exceeding $15,000.  

It’s important to note that recipients of these notifications are not being summoned for a specific jury trial at this time. Rather, they are being informed of their potential eligibility for jury duty during the year-long term.  

Within seven days of receiving the Justice Court postcard, recipients must complete a questionnaire by either: 

• Visiting the Justice Court website 
• Requesting a paper copy by calling 406-582-2191 or emailing justice@gallatin.mt.gov  

All jury service postcards include detailed instructions. 

It is essential for selected residents to promptly respond to these notices by completing the accompanying juror questionnaire within 7 days of receipt. Failure to do so may result in a personal visit from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, tasked with delivering questionnaires to non-responsive individuals. Such an undertaking places undue strain on our law enforcement resources, leading to potential delays in trials and impeding the timely administration of justice.   

Gallatin County District Court recently sent out similar notifications to prospective jurors selected for their 2024-2025 jury term. This is a separate court that handles primarily felony crimes, civil matters with over $15,000 in damages, domestic relations, juvenile, probate, mental health, water cases, and appeals from Justice Court, Municipal Court, and administrative agencies.  

Because names are randomly selected for each of these jury pools, there is a chance some residents may have been chosen for both. If you have been chosen for both courts, contact District Court and they will work with you to remove you from one of the jury pools.  

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For immediate release: May 22, 2024

A reminder to local media that the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a press conference today to discuss recent issues with wrong-way drivers on Interstate 90 and DUI enforcement heading into the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The press conference will be on Wednesday, May 22 at 2:30 PM in the community room of the Gallatin County Detention Center, located at 605 S. 16th Ave. in Bozeman.  

The sheriff’s office will share historical data about the frequency of incidents involving wrong-way drivers on I-90, discuss root causes like impairment and traffic engineering challenges, and spotlight the collaborative efforts of local stakeholders to tackle these issues. 

Partners in this work include the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Montana Department of Transportation, Belgrade Police Department, Bozeman Police Department, Manhattan Police Department, Gallatin County 911, the Gallatin County DUI Task Force, Montana Department of Criminal Investigation, M.A.D.D. DUI Impact Panels, Cedar Creek Integrated Health, Southwest Montana Prevention, and others. 

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For immediate release: May 17, 2024 

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office invites local media to a press conference next week to discuss recent issues of wrong-way drivers on Interstate 90, and DUI enforcement heading into the Memorial Day holiday weekend.  

The press conference will be on Wednesday, May 22 at 2:30 PM in the community room of the Gallatin County Detention Center, located at 605 S. 16th Ave. in Bozeman.  

The sheriff’s office will share historical data about the frequency of incidents involving wrong-way drivers on I-90, discuss root causes like impairment and traffic engineering challenges, and spotlight the collaborative efforts of local stakeholders to tackle these issues. 

Partners in this work include the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Montana Department of Transportation, Gallatin County 911, the Gallatin County DUI Task Force, Belgrade Police Department, Bozeman Police Department, Manhattan Police Department, Montana Department of Criminal Investigation, the Gallatin City-County Health Department, Cedar Creek Integrated Health, Southwest Montana Prevention, and others. 

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A previous version of this press release did not include the exact location of the memorial highway dedication ceremony. It will be held at the intersection of Bridger Canyon Drive and Fairy Lake Road. The below version of the press release has been corrected to include that information.

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For immediate release: May 15, 2024

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office invites the public to the dedication of a memorial highway in Bridger Canyon to commemorate a deputy lost in the line of duty in 2019. 

The 2023 Montana Legislature established the Jacob Allmendinger Memorial Highway, which is on Bridger Canyon Drive (MT Hwy 86) from its intersection with Fairy Lake Road to its intersection with Brackett Creek Road. 

A public dedication of the memorial highway will take place on Monday, May 20 at 11:30 AM at the intersection of Bridger Canyon Drive and Fairy Lake Road.

Deputy Allmendinger was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 19, 2019 in a tragic motor vehicle accident while responding to a call for assistance near Fairy Lake.  

Allmendinger had been with the sheriff’s office since 2017. Prior to that, he worked as a 911 dispatcher with Gallatin County 911 for seven years and volunteered with Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue for eight years.  

Allmendinger left behind his wife Monica, their three children, and numerous family and friends.  

“Deputy Allmendinger’s courage, dedication, and sacrifice will forever be remembered as we dedicate this highway in his honor,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer. “Let Jake’s memory also serve as a chance to reflect on the sacrifices made by law enforcement across our nation, reminding us of their commitment to keep our communities safe.” 

For immediate release: May 15, 2024

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office invites the public to the dedication of a memorial highway in Bridger Canyon to commemorate a deputy lost in the line of duty in 2019. 

The 2023 Montana Legislature established the Jacob Allmendinger Memorial Highway, which is on Bridger Canyon Drive (MT Hwy 86) from its intersection with Fairy Lake Road to its intersection with Brackett Creek Road. 

A public dedication of the memorial highway will take place on Monday, May 20 at 11:30 AM at the intersection of Bridger Canyon Drive and Fairy Lake Road.

Deputy Allmendinger was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 19, 2019 in a tragic motor vehicle accident while responding to a call for assistance near Fairy Lake.  

Allmendinger had been with the sheriff’s office since 2017. Prior to that, he worked as a 911 dispatcher with Gallatin County 911 for seven years and volunteered with Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue for eight years.  

Allmendinger left behind his wife Monica, their three children, and numerous family and friends.  

“Deputy Allmendinger’s courage, dedication, and sacrifice will forever be remembered as we dedicate this highway in his honor,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer. “Let Jake’s memory also serve as a chance to reflect on the sacrifices made by law enforcement across our nation, reminding us of their commitment to keep our communities safe.” 

On May 11, 2024, at 8:04 AM, Gallatin County 911 Dispatch was notified of an overdue mountain biker/hiker, likely in the area of Hyalite Canyon who had been expected to return home the previous night.

Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies determined the man had left for a hike at approximately 9:00 AM on May 10th and had not been heard from since. Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue (GCSSAR) was dispatched to conduct a backcountry search and a short time later, the missing hiker’s vehicle was located in Hyalite Canyon.

GCSSAR Command deployed the SAR Communications Team, SAR K-9 Search Teams, SAR Drone Team, and a SAR Helicopter Team to the Hyalite area to search for the hiker. Searchers located possible tracks for the subject around 9:30 AM in the Palisade area of Hyalite Canyon and at 1:18 PM located the missing hiker walking out to the Hyalite Reservoir parking lot.  The hiker had been in the Palisade area when he suffered a fall. With dead cell phone batteries, and unable to walk out that night, the subject built a snow-cave shelter in order to survive a cold night.

GCSSAR conducted a medical evaluation of the hiker and determined he had suffered from cold exposure, possible head and back injuries, and was badly dehydrated. A paramedic unit with American Medical Response was dispatched to the area to transport the hiker to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the hiker for utilizing wilderness survival skills while spending the night in the back country and would like to remind recreationalists to always carry sufficient food, water, cold weather gear and multiple means of communication to contact Search and Rescue if needed.

For immediate release: May 10, 2024

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

Gallatin County Elections Office Mails Absentee Ballots for June 4 Primary  

On Friday, May 10, the Gallatin County Elections Office mailed approximately 56,500 for the June 4 primary election to active registered absentee voters in Gallatin County. Ballots will begin arriving in mailboxes in the following days. 

Four ballots will be included in each envelope. Voters will have a choice to vote either a Democratic, Republican, Libertarian or Green party ballot this upcoming primary election. Voters must choose ONE party ballot to vote and then return just that ballot. Detailed instructions will be provided with ballots – please read them carefully! 

Absentee ballots must be returned by 8 PM on Election Day, Tuesday June 4. They may be returned in the Gallatin County Elections Office during normal business hours, or on Election Day at the Elections Office or any polling place between 7 AM and 8 PM. If you’re returning your ballot by mail, please return in mail no later than May 24 to ensure it arrives on time. Ballots postmarked on or before Election Day but received after Election Day cannot be accepted.  

We urge all absentee voters to promptly return their ballots. With the sheer volume of ballots we handle, this enables us to get to work processing ballots sooner. That helps streamline Election Day operations, including the swift release of results. 

Polling places for in-person voting will also be open on Election Day. Those locations in Gallatin County are:
 

• Bridger Canyon Fire Station – 8081 Bridger Canyon Rd. 
• Gallatin County Fairgrounds – 901 N. Black Ave. in Bozeman 
• Hope Lutheran Church – 5152 W. Graf St. in Bozeman 
• MSU Shroyer Gym – 1 Bobcat Cir. In Bozeman 
• Zoot Enterprises – 555 Zoot Enterprises Ln in Four Corners 
• Povah Community Center – 10 Geyser St. in West Yellowstone 
• Big Sky Water & Sewer District Office – 561 Little Coyote Rd. in Big Sky 
• Gallatin Gateway Community Center – 145 Mill St. in Gallatin Gateway 
• Belgrade Special Events Center – 220 Spooner Rd. in Belgrade
• River Rock Community Center – 101 River Rock Rd. in Belgrade
• Three Forks High School – 212 E. Neal St. in Three Forks 
• Manhattan Christian School – 8000 Churchill Rd. in Churchill 
• Manhattan High School – 200 W. Fulton Ave. in Manhattan 

Due to recent redistricting, you may now be in a different precinct or have a new polling place since the last election. Please visit www.MyVoterPageMT.com to double check your assigned location. 

Late registration for this election began this week. From now through Election Day, new registrations or updates to voter registration must be made IN PERSON at the Gallatin County Elections Office, located on the second floor of the Gallatin County Courthouse (311 W. Main St., Bozeman). 

Check your voter registration status and information at www.MyVoterPageMT.com.  

For questions or more information, contact the Gallatin County Elections Office at 406-582-3060 or gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov, or visit us online at www.GallatinVotes.com.  

 

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For Immediate Release: May 10, 2024

The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently updated their recommendations for breast cancer screenings. The updated guidance recommends starting screening mammograms at age 40 and continuing screening every other year through age 74. The Gallatin City-County Health Department helps eligible residents in Gallatin, Park, and Sweet Grass Counties access free, timely breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic treatment through the Montana Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program.

Read the full press release here. 

May 9, 2024

Bozeman, MT – The recent snow is likely to melt off very quickly in the next day or two due to warm temperatures and the possibility of limited rain.  Widespread flooding is not expected, but we are likely to isolated areas with water causing issues.  This is typically caused by the water being blocked from going where it is supposed to be and going where it is a problem.  Property owners are encouraged to ensure ditches and culverts are clear of debris.  Please check your property and monitor it while the snow melts so issues can be addressed when they start.  Our goal with spring snow events is to keep the water flowing when it melts!

Information on flooding is available at:  https://www.readygallatin.com/community-resources/preparedness-information/flooding-in-gallatin-county/

Keep it Flowing video

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Update 5-8: As of 10:30 pm, the Montana Department of Transportation has opened all lanes of traffic on I90 in the Bozeman Pass. Please continue to drive safely and watch for changing road conditions at MDT’s website at https://www.511mt.net.