Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: Jan. 30, 2024 

In a response to an uptick in street sign thefts throughout the area, Gallatin County officials are encouraging the public to report information related to these crimes. 

Last weekend, 49 street signs were stolen across Gallatin County. Simple signs cost $200 in time and materials apiece to replace. More complex signs can cost up to $3,000 if they are stolen or destroyed. 

The implications of these thefts extend beyond mere financial burdens. The absence of vital street signs poses a serious safety risk for drivers navigating our community. Moreover, the depletion of resources required for sign replacement diverts Gallatin County Road Department staff from essential projects, hampering the efficiency of vital public services. 

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to promptly report any instances of street sign theft. Additionally, citizens are urged to notify authorities if they observe county street signs in dorms, apartments, residences, garages, or other structures.

To report incidents or provide information, please contact the sheriff’s office non-emergency line at 406-582-2100. 

“These thefts not only burden our hardworking taxpayers but also pose unnecessary risks to our community,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer. “We sincerely appreciate the public’s collaboration in reporting this criminal activity.” 

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On Monday, January 29, 2024, at 11:36 p.m., the West Yellowstone Police Department dispatch center received a 911 regarding a snowmobiler who had suffered a shoulder injury in a snowmobile crash. The location information gained from the 911 call indicated that the crash had taken place near 8889 Smoots west of West Yellowstone.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department (HBRF), and Gallatin Custer National Forest Service responded to assist with the rescue.

Rescuers located the injured snowmobiler on the Denny Creek Trail. Due to the steep terrain and extremely rough trail conditions present in the crash location a toboggan-style sled was used to transport the injured snowmobiler to an area accessible by ambulance. HBFD EMS personnel took over patient care at the trailhead and the patient ultimately chose to seek additional medical care on their own.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind snowmobilers that due to the unseasonably warm temperatures the trail conditions warrant extra care. Slow down, stay with your group and, as always, carry a reliable means of communication to call for help if necessary.

On January 26, 2024, at 9:37am, West Yellowstone Police Department Dispatch received a 911 call from a snowmobiler who was recreating with family members when one of the snowmobilers sustained injuries as a result of a snowmobile accident. The caller indicated that one of the snowmobilers in the party was in need of immediate medical treatment near Cream Creek, 5 miles west of West Yellowstone, Montana.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the West Yellowstone detachment, US Forest Service Law Enforcement, West Yellowstone Police Department, Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District (HBFD), Yellowstone National Park Law Enforcement, and Gallatin County Sheriff’ Deputies responded to the request for aid. Upon arrival at the scene, responders provided first aid and transported the injured person by a specialized snowmobile towed ambulance to a waiting HBFD ambulance for further evaluation. The injured snowmobiler was then transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for higher level care.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind winter recreationalists that having a plan for contingencies, knowing the location you are recreating, and being able to call for aid in remote areas is crucial when recreating in Montana’s great outdoors.

For Immediate Release: 1.24.2024

The Gallatin City-County Health Department is partnering with the Belgrade Senior Center to host a FREE Health Coaches for Hypertension Control class starting February 8, 2024. This class will meet for eight weeks on Thursdays, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Belgrade Senior Center.

Read the full press release here.

On January 23, 2024, at 6:03am, Gallatin County 911 received a call for a missing juvenile near the Forest Park trailer court. The parents suspected the juvenile had left the residence at approximately 5:00am.

Gallatin County Sheriff’s Deputies and Search and Rescue volunteers responded to the scene to conduct an urban search. Search and Rescue volunteers found the missing juvenile and they were returned safely to their family.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind families that despite what you may have seen in TV shows and movies, there is no waiting limit before a missing person can be reported.  In fact, it is best to report missing persons as soon as you realize they are missing, as this greatly increases the chances of successfully locating them.

On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 11:36 a.m., the West Yellowstone Police Department dispatch center received a 911 call regarding a snowmobiler who had suffered a minor leg injury after an accident in which their snowmobile had rolled over them. The snowmobiler was complaining of knee and ankle pain but was reported to be otherwise uninjured.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department, and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks responded to assist with the rescue.

Rescuers located the injured snowmobiler approximately 3.5 miles north of West Yellowstone on the Madison Arm Trail. The injured snowmobiler was quickly packaged into a specialized snowmobile towed ambulance and transported to a waiting HBFD ambulance for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind snowmobilers to ride within their ability, know their machine, and be aware of changing trail conditions.

On Sunday, January 21, 2024, at 2:22 p.m., the West Yellowstone Police Department dispatch center received a 911 call regarding a group of snowmobilers who were stuck and unable to extract their snowmobiles. The coordinates from the 911 call indicated that they were in steep, timbered terrain 11 miles west of West Yellowstone.

Due to the foreboding terrain, a group of skilled snowmobilers from Gallatin County Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, Custer Gallatin National Forest, and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks responded to assist with the rescue.

Rescuers made contact with the snowmobilers and assisted them to safety. Everyone in the group was uninjured and in good health.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank the group of passing skiers who provided assistance to the snowmobilers while waiting for the volunteers to arrive.

On Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 1:42 p.m., the West Yellowstone Police Department dispatch center received a 911 call regarding a snowmobiler who sustained knee and back injuries when their snowmobile left the trail and struck a tree. The crash location was 11 miles south of West Yellowstone near Black Bear Canyon.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department, Custer Gallatin National Forest, and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks responded to assist with the rescue.

Rescuers made contact with the patient who was complaining of significant knee and back pain. The patient was quickly packaged and transported back to West Yellowstone in a specialized Snow Ambulance. After being evaluated by the HBFD ambulance crew, the patient chose not to be transported.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank the group of passing snowmobilers who recognized the need for assistance and remained on scene with the patient until help arrived.

On Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 4:21 p.m., the West Yellowstone Police Department dispatch center received a 911 call regarding a snowmobiler who had struck a tree and suffered a head injury. The crash location was 4 miles west of West Yellowstone near Junction 8.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department, and the West Yellowstone Police Department responded to assist with the rescue.

Rescuers arrived on scene and made contact with the patient who was bleeding heavily from a gash above one eye. Rescuers quickly packaged and transported the patient to a waiting HBFD ambulance. The HBFD ambulance crew then transported the patient to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for evaluation.

For Immediate Release

On 1/4/2024, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office responded to a head-on fatality crash on I-90, mile marker 278.  The accident involved a wrong way driver traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of travel on Interstate 90.  The wrong way driver struck the vehicle of female victim, Laysa Grewell, a 22-year-old resident of Belgrade.  Laysa Grewell was pronounced deceased on scene.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to express his deep condolences to Laysa Grewell’s family and friends.

Sam Clark, Deputy Coroner