Gallatin Media Center

     

For immediate release: April 16, 2024 

Media contacts:

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

Lacy Clark, Bozeman School District Director of Business Services/District Clerk
406-522-6045
lacy.clark@bsd7.org 

Printing Error on Bozeman Elementary School District Ballot 

School and special district ballots will be mailed to Gallatin County voters on Friday, April 19. Included in those ballots will be Bozeman Elementary and High School District trustee races. 

The uncontested Bozeman High School District trustee race was accidentally included on Bozeman Elementary School District ballots. Elementary District voters do not vote on the school district’s position designated as the high school trustee since that position is elected to represent the rural schools of the high school district. 

All voters in the Bozeman School District will see this high school race on the ballot with filed candidate Sandra Wilson and a write-in line on all ballots, even those in the Bozeman Elementary District, who would not normally vote on this position. Sandra Wilson is the only filed candidate, is running unopposed and will be elected regardless. There are no filed write-in candidates for this election, which means that write-in names will not be tallied this election.  

Elections results can be certified accurately by separating erroneous votes for this race to provide proper totals. 

Over 35,000 ballots had already been printed and prepped for mailing by the time the error was discovered. Therefore, both Gallatin County Elections and the Bozeman School District decided to move forward with the error on the ballot because it was too late to reprint them and ensure that voters receive their ballots in a timely manner. 

This error will not affect the outcome of the election in any way. 

We apologize for any confusion for the voters in the Bozeman School District.  

The May 7 school and special district election is mail-ballot election. Active registered voters who live in districts that are holding elections will receive their ballots this weekend or early next week. Ballots must be returned by 8 PM on Election Day on Tuesday, May 7. 

For more information on this election, visit www.GallatinVotes.com.  

### 

 

For immediate release: April 15, 2024

 

83rd Civil Support Team Hosts Regional Joint Training Exercise

The Montana National Guard’s 83rd Civil Support Team (CST) is hosting a joint training exercise, Operation Yellowstone, April 22-26, at various locations in Bozeman and Gallatin County.

See the full press release here.

###

For immediate releasee: April 15, 2024 

Media contact:
Patty Howard, Recycling/Outreach Educator for Gallatin Solid Waste Management District
406-582-2493
patty.howard@gallatin.mt.gov 

 

Free E-Waste Recycling Event at Logan Landfill 

In honor of Earth Day, the Gallatin Solid Waste Management District and 406 Recycling are again teaming up for a free electronic waste (e-waste) recycling event at Logan Landfill.  

The annual event this year will be on Saturday, April 20 from 8 AM to 2:30 PM at Logan Landfill (10585 Two Dog Road). 

Accepted items include cellphones, computers, tablets, batteries, towers, laptops, monitors, printers, TVs, remote controls, scanners, modems, stereo equipment, digital cameras, VCRs, copiers, keyboards, mice, and handheld electronics. Data destruction on all devices is guaranteed. 

People often confuse electronic and electrical waste, which is not accepted through the e-waste program. Common electrical items that will NOT be accepted include blenders, power tools, fans, lamps, hair dryers, curling irons, coffee makers, microwaves, juicers, mixers, toasters and crock pots. 

If you’re not sure if something is considered e-waste, call 406-582-2493 for clarification. 

Logan Landfill accepts e-waste all year during regular business hours for a fee. Current hours are 7 AM – 5 PM Mondays through Fridays, and 7 AM – 4:30 PM on Saturdays. The fee is $27 per ton, with a $5 minimum for up to 400 pounds. The rate for commercial e-waste recycling is $48 per ton.  

More information on e-waste and other year-round recycling options in Bozeman can be found on our website. 

For more information about this event, please call Patty at 406-582-2493 or email patty.howard@gallatin.mt.gov.  

### 

On 4/10/2024, at 6:23 pm, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call stating two juveniles were missing from Manhattan Elementary School. Manhattan Police Department immediately responded, and were ultimately able to locate the missing juveniles on the north side of the Gallatin River, near Yadon Road. Manhattan Police Officers were not able to reach the cold and wet juveniles due to water conditions, and requested Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) respond to assist.

GCSAR volunteers from the Valley section, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Manhattan Volunteer Fire Department, and American Medical Response (AMR) responded to assist. Due to the unique area the juveniles were located, multiple rescue plans were formulated to most effectively reach the juveniles quickly. While GCSSAR volunteers entered the river using inflatable rafts and dry suits, Deputies gained access to the river bank from the other side of the river. Ultimately, the juveniles were located safely and transferred to an awaiting AMR ambulance, where they were medically evaluated and returned to their parents.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank all responding agencies for their cooperation and quick response. The effective interagency cooperation led to the best and safest outcome for all parties involved. Sheriff Springer would like to remind Gallatin County Citizens that although the days are becoming warmer, temperatures still drop quickly as the sun sets, and can make a seemingly normal evening turn into an emergency. If you plan on enjoying all that Gallatin County has to offer, prepare accordingly, and always ensure someone knows where you are going and when you will be home.

 

For immediate release: April 4, 2024

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County Commission Signs Letter Supporting SB 442

The Gallatin County Commission joined counties from across Montana in signing a letter supporting Senate Bill 442.

“The Gallatin County Commission stands with counties across the state, rural and urban, in support of SB 442 and ask our legislators to vote to override Governor Gianforte’s veto. Our constituents don’t care who funds road repair and maintenance, and the legislature clearly expressed a desire to allocate state marijuana revenue to counties to help us take care of our roads. Our economy depends on the infrastructure that we all work to provide and maintain for our citizens.”

Read the full letter here.

###

On 4/2/2024 at 6 PM, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call from a concerned party whose family member, with cognitive disabilities, had gone for a walk and not returned home as scheduled. Due to falling darkness and concern for the individual’s wellbeing, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSAR) was requested to assist with an urban search.

GCSAR volunteers from the Valley section, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, and Bozeman Police Department Officers responded to search the area. After about two hours of searching, the individual was found safely.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank the public for exercising diligence after receiving the reverse 911 if they were in the area. Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office received multiple tips from the public which proved instrumental in locating the missing individual.

Of note, this rescue operation was run concurrently with a rescue effort for a lost and cold hiker in the Baldy Mountain area beyond the “M”. A big thank you to the GCSSAR Command Team, Communications Team, and all our Volunteers for securing positive outcomes in both instances.

 

 

On 4/2/2024 at approximately 8:17 PM, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call from a lost hiker who was on the Bridger Ridge trail just below Baldy Mountain. The hiker had become lost after leaving marked trail and did not have appropriate clothing, supplies, or equipment to safely remain on the mountain given falling darkness and dwindling temperatures.

GCSSAR volunteers from the Valley section, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, and the Two Bear Air rescue helicopter responded to search the area. Thankfully, the hiker was quickly located; exhausted and very cold, but otherwise unharmed. Based on the steep and snowy terrain and the subject’s deteriorating health, the decision was made to transport the patient off the mountain via Two Bear Air’s hoist to awaiting paramedics with Central Valley Fire Department.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind outdoor enthusiasts that despite ideal weather at the trail-head, conditions can shift drastically at higher elevations. Whether it be by injury, becoming lost, or other circumstances, the possibility always exists that you may end up spending the night so it is advisable to be prepared by bringing plenty of food, water, and warm clothing to keep yourself safe if your plan fails.

Of note, this rescue operation was run concurrently with a large scale search for a missing person with cognitive disabilities in the Valley West area of Bozeman. A big thank you to the GCSSAR Command Team, Communications Team, and all our Volunteers for securing positive outcomes in both instances.

For immediate release: March 26, 2024

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the death of 26-year-old Jakob Michael Page, whose body was found at the Knife River gravel pit near Belgrade on the morning of Monday, March 25. An autopsy is scheduled to take place this week and toxicology results will be available in six to eight weeks.

We reiterate that foul play is not suspected at this time. Upon a thorough initial investigation, our investigators found that the body showed clear indications of exposure, but no trauma. Mr. Page’s clothing was found nearby, which also indicated to us that the death was related to hypothermia. This well-known phenomenon, called “paradoxical undressing,” is frequently seen in hypothermia cases where disoriented patients strip their clothing when they are near death. It occurs in over 25% of hypothermia cases.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office has excellent investigators who do exceptional work, day in and day out, to ensure they come to the correct conclusions in all of our investigations. Our experienced and well-trained professionals base their decisions on evidence and not conjecture. We will continue to further investigate this tragedy.

We send our deepest sympathies to Mr. Page’s family and friends during this difficult time.

###

For immediate release: March 25, 2024

On Monday, March 25, 2024, at 8:11 a.m., the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a deceased male at the Knife River gravel pit in Belgrade. Deputies responded to the scene to investigate. The decedent male was subsequently identified as 26 year-old Jakob Michael Page of Belgrade.

The investigation is currently ongoing, but foul play is not suspected at this time.

###

 

For immediate release: March 25, 2024 

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov
 

Amended Second-Half Tax Bills Mailed to Gallatin County Property Owners 

Last year, the Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) concluded that for tax year 2023, 77.9 mills would be sufficient to meet the budgetary requirements of the State School Equalization Funds rather than 95 mills, which have been billed in previous years. The property tax bill you received from Gallatin County in November reflected that reduction.  

However, Governor Gianforte sued Missoula County, which eventually resulted in a ruling from the Montana Supreme Court that authorized DOR to levy the maximum mill amount regardless of the budget. Gallatin County has thus been directed to collect the full 95 mills, and second-half tax bill have been amended accordingly.  

The Gallatin County Treasurer’s Office mailed these amended second-half tax bills to property owners on Friday, March 22. Property owners can expect to see these arrive in their mailboxes soon. 

Property owners should disregard the second-half payment due on original bills, sent late last year, and pay the amount that comes with the amended bills instead. Do not pay both.  

Folks who paid the full year’s taxes in December will still need to pay the amount indicated on this bill. These additional tax collections mandated by the Governor’s Office will be sent to the State of Montana and not to any local jurisdictions.  

Second half property taxes are due May 31.  

If you pay your property taxes through your mortgage, please verify with your lender that they will handle paying this amended bill. 

Property owners can also view amended bills online at https://itax.gallatin.mt.gov.  

If you have questions about your bill, please contact the Gallatin County Treasurer’s Office by phone at 406-582-3033, by email at treasurer@gallatin.mt.gov, or in person at the Gallatin County Courthouse located at 311 W. Main St. in downtown Bozeman. 

Property tax information, including bills and history, can also be found at https://itax.gallatin.mt.gov. 

###