Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: April 19, 2024 

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

Ballots for School and Special Districts Election to be Mailed April 19 

On Friday, April 19, ballots for the 2024 school and special districts election on May 7 will be mailed to active registered voters in districts that are holding elections. This election is a mail ballot election, meaning there will be no polling places open on Election Day. 

Those districts include the following: 

• Schools: 

• Amsterdam 
• Bozeman – High School 
• Bozeman – Elementary School 
• Belgrade 
• Big Sky 
• Cottonwood 
• Lamotte 
• Monforton 
• Three Forks 
• West Yellowstone 

• Special Districts: 

• Big Sky Resort Tax District 
• Big Sky Water & Sewer District 
• Firelight Meadows Water & Sewer District 
• Hebgen Basin Hospital District 

In total, more than 65,000 ballots will be mailed. Voters can expect their ballots to arrive next week. Sample ballots can be found here. If your ballot is destroyed, spoiled, lost, or not received, you may request a replacement ballot no later than 8 PM on Election Day. 

Ballots must be received at the Gallatin County Elections Office or a designated place of deposit by 8 PM on Election Day. Ballots may be returned by mail or in person. If you opt to mail your ballot back, mail it no later than Tuesday, April 30 to ensure it arrives on time. Ballots postmarked on or before Election Day but received after Election Day cannot be accepted. You can check your ballot status at www.MyVoterPageMT.com. 

Places of deposit for this election are: 

• Gallatin County Elections Office
  311 W. Main St., room 210, Bozeman 
• Belgrade School District administration office
  312 N. Weaver St. 
• Big Sky Water & Sewer District office
  561 Little Coyote Rd. 
• Monforton School – front office
  6001 Monforton School Rd. 
• Three Forks High School office
  210 E. Neal St. 

Voters in any district can drop their ballots off at any of these locations. All locations are open during their regular business hours Monday through Friday until Monday, May 6, and then from 7 AM to 8 PM on Election Day on Tuesday, May 7. 

As with all mail-ballot elections, those who would like to vote in-person may do so at the Gallatin County Elections Office, located at the Courthouse at 311 W. Main St., room 210, in Bozeman.  

For questions on specific school district ballot measures or candidates, please contact your school district directly. 

Voter Registration 

Gallatin County is currently in the late registration period for the May 7 election. This means that if you need to register to vote or update your registration if you’ve moved or changed your name, you must appear in person at the Gallatin County Elections office to get that done. 

You can do so now through Election Day. Please note there is one short registration closure from noon on May 6 until 7 AM on Election Day. It is then available until 8 PM on Election Day. 

Double check your registration status at www.MyVoterPageMT.com.  

If you have other questions, please contact our office at gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-582-3060. For more information, you can also visit www.GallatinVotes.com. 

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For Immediate Release

In the afternoon hours of Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with Montana Highway Patrol, the Belgrade Police Department, and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred near the intersection of Jackrabbit Lane and Floss Flats Road.

One driver, 49-year-old Julio Esparza Lopez of Belgrade, was transported to the Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. His cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries of the chest and the manner was ruled an accident. Montana Highway Patrol and Belgrade Police are investigating the cause of the motor vehicle accident.

Sheriff Springer reminds motorists, as traffic continues to increase in our area, it becomes even more important to be a defensive driver, pay attention to other motorists and obey all traffic laws.

________________________________

Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024 Gallatin County 911 received a call from a stranded snowmobiler near Big Bear Lake in the Little Bear area of Gallatin Canyon. The Snowmobiler reported that they were stuck and needed assistance getting out of the back country.

Gallatin County Search and rescue Volunteers from the valley responded to Little Bear with snowmobiles and over snow vehicles to assist the stranded snowmobiler. Three Search and Rescue teams deployed to the area and were able to locate the stranded snowmobiler near Big Bear lake. The snowmobiler was extricated from the backcountry without further incident.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind everyone that even a quick trip into the backcountry could end with being stranded. Always bring extra food, water, and safety gear to insure you are safe on your adventures.

For immediate release: April 17, 2024

Media contact:
Hali Kapperud, Gallatin County DUI Task Force Coordinator
406-585-1492
hali.kapperud@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County DUI Task Force Law Enforcement Award Ceremony

The Gallatin County DUI Task Force is hosting the annual Law Enforcement Award Ceremony on Wednesday, April 17 at 6 PM in the Gallatin County Courthouse Community Room at 311 W. Main St. in Bozeman. The top law enforcement officers from each agency with jurisdiction in Gallatin County will be recognized for their efforts and contributions to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of those people who made the decision to drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs in 2023. The award ceremony is open to the public.

The Gallatin County DUI Task Force is a group of volunteers who are passionate about helping to reduce the incidence of driving under the influence, DUI crashes and deaths related to those committing DUIs. The Task Force works to increase the awareness of the dangers, implications, and severity of DUIs through education and civic outreach.

For questions regarding the award ceremony or the DUI Task Force, please contact the DUI Task Force Coordinator at hali.kapperud@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-585-1492.

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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.  

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.