Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: September 21, 2023 

Gallatin County Officials Urge Residents to Return District Court Jury Summons Questionnaires  

About 3,600 jury summons questionnaires sent from Gallatin County District Court have yet to be returned and officials are urging residents who received these questionnaires to complete them and send them in. 

In early May, Gallatin County District Court sent out 9,600 initial notices to residents who were randomly selected to be in the District Court July pool. The term runs from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. These are not a summons for a specific trial, but simply a notification that these residents could be called to jury duty anytime during that term. 

Gallatin County District Court handles criminal cases (primarily felonies), civil matters in excess of $12,000 in damages, domestic relations, juvenile, probate, mental health, water cases, and appeals from Justice Court, Municipal Court and administrative agencies. 

Residents who received this notice were required to respond to the questionnaire within 10 days. They were provided options to receive paper or digital copies of the questionnaire to fill out. 

As of this week, approximately 3,600 questionnaires have gone unreturned.  

When a questionnaire is not returned, a Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office deputy is required to personally serve these to get them completed. Sheriff’s deputies have already begun that process. 

However, you can help by submitting your unreturned questionnaire as soon as possible. 

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said that our community’s service expectations continue to increase and his deputies’ limited resources are focused on meeting those needs.  

“We need your help in performing your civic duty by filling out your questionnaire so we don’t have to use those resources to physically serve these on you,” Springer said. 

Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell said that trial by jury is a fundamental constitutional right for all of us.  

“Your participation as a juror ensures your neighbor’s right to a jury trial is protected,” Cromwell said. “I cannot overstate how important it is to return your jury questionnaire so that our judges can hold trials and we can continue to keep our community as safe as possible.”   

If you received a postcard, please follow the directions to complete the questionnaire.  

If you are unsure of whether you received a postcard, or you need your juror number, please email gallatindcjury@mt.gov or call 406-582-3670. 

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For immediate release: Sept. 18, 2023

On the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office, along with the Montana Highway Patrol and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, investigated a double fatality motor vehicle accident, which occurred on Interstate 90 near mile marker 291.

The accident occurred when a vehicle traveling eastbound crossed the median into oncoming traffic where they collided with a vehicle traveling westbound. The driver of the eastbound vehicle was identified as 34-year-old Jose Sanchez-Ruiz of Bozeman. Jose was pronounced deceased on scene. Jose’s cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma and the manner accidental.

The driver of the westbound vehicle was identified as 34-year-old Haley Vicchio-Wilson of Bozeman. Haley was transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center where she died of her injuries. Haley’s cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma and the manner accidental.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jose Sanchez-Ruiz and Haley Vicchio-Wilson during this time.

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For immediate release: September 15, 2023 

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

Gallatin County Voters to Receive New Voter Confirmation Cards 

On Friday, Sept. 15, the Gallatin County Elections office will be mailing new Voter Cofirmation Cards to all voters in Gallatin County.  

Gallatin County Elections staff is mailing out over 88,500 cards, which will inform voters of their updated precincts, districts and polling place locations. They should start arriving in mailboxes in the coming days. 

These updates are the result of redistricting across Montana. Using population data from the most recent U.S. Census in 2020, the Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission drew updated congressional and state legislative districts.  

This process increased Gallatin County’s total number of precincts from 32 to 46. Gallatin County also now includes two additional state senate districts and three additional house districts. 

The redistricting process did NOT affect local districts, like school or special district boundaries.  

Voting in Montana is based on voters’ residential addresses. Since legislative district boundaries were changed, a voter may now live in a different house and/or senate district and therefore be assigned to a different precinct.  

Due to the changes in districts, voters’ polling places may have also changed. New polling place information will be included on the updated Voter Confirmation Cards and can also be found on the 2023 Gallatin County precinct map. 

For more information, please visit our website at www.GallatinVotes.com. If you have questions, contact the Elections Office at 406-582-3060 or gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov.  

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For Immediate Release:

Please see the following information from our partners at the Belgrade School District:

PRESS RELEASE

INJURED HUNTER KIRKWOOD TRAIL

On Wednesday September 13, 2023, at 11:54 a.m. the West Yellowstone Police Department Dispatch center received a call regarding a hunter who had fallen and suffered a broken ankle in the area of Kirkwood Ridge, 11 miles northwest of West Yellowstone.

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

Due to the steep, rugged terrain, the SAR Heli Team was deployed to the scene to deliver the hunter to a waiting Hebgen Basin Ambulance. The hunter was ultimately transported to the Madison Valley Medical Center in Ennis for further treatment.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the hunter’s companions who immediately recognized the need for help and remained on scene to assist with the hunter’s needs. A special thanks to the helicopter team who battled severe inclement weather to quickly and efficiently extract the hunter from the backcountry.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Ousel Falls Trail Rescue

On September 12, 2023, at 12:03 pm, Gallatin County Dispatch received a report of a person who was hiking Ousel Falls Trail and became dizzy, sweaty, and was possibly having a heart attack.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section volunteers, Big Sky Fire Department and a Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the patient’s location. The hiker was alert when rescuers arrived but could not walk out on their own. A one-wheel litter was utilized to transport the patient to the awaiting Big Sky Fire ambulance where they were then taken to the next level of care.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind individuals the importance of having a means of communication in case of emergencies, even when going on relatively easy outings. He would also like to commend the hikers for realizing the situation could be serious and quickly calling for help, which allowed first responders to be with the patient 13 minutes after the call was placed.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Yellow Mule Trail Rescue

On September 8, 2023 at 1:47pm Madison County Dispatch received a 911 call from a hunting party where an individual had been attacked by a grizzly bear while tracking a deer.  The caller indicated that one of the individuals in their party was in need of immediate medical treatment near Yellow Mule Trail, outside of Big Sky, MT.  Due to the location, Madison County requested help from Gallatin County.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the Big Sky Section and Heli Team, Montana Fish & Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers, US Forest Service Law Enforcement, Life Flight HelicopterTeam, and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Deputies, responded to the request for aid.  The GCSSAR team members along with law enforcement arrived on scene of the attack then quickly transported the patient to Life Flight Helicopter waiting at a nearby helicopter pad.  The patient ultimately was taken to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center for further evaluation.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind hunters that having a plan for contingencies along with being able to call for aid is crucial in the backcountry.

The Yellow Mule Trails along with all access to Buck Ridge Trail have been closed by USFS Law Enforcement until further notice.  Please check with USFS for updates on the closure.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: September 6, 2023

Media contact:
Michelle Bossert, Gallatin County Chief Human Resources Officer
michell.bossert@gallatin.mt.gov
406-582-3046

Gallatin County Hosting Community Job Fair Featuring More Than 30 Employers

PRESS RELEASE

North Fork Trail Rescue

On September 1, 2023 at 11:43am Gallatin County Dispatch received a 911 call from a 3rd party that had been notified of a medical emergency via a Garmin InReach.  The caller indicated that one of the individuals in their party was having a medical issue while on a hike on the North Fork Trail, outside of Big Sky, MT.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the Big Sky Section, as well as Big Sky Fire Department (BSFD) responded to the request for aid.  GCSSAR team members responded in a side by side to the patient a few miles up the trail, transported the patient to a BSFD ambulance waiting at the trailhead, and the patient was taken to Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center for evaluation.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists that having a plan for contingencies along with being able to call for aid is crucial in the backcountry.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Baldy Mountain Rescue

On August 31^st, 2023, at 9:36 pm, Gallatin County Dispatch received a 911 call from two hikers near Baldy Mountain in the Bridger Range. According to the caller, they had started at Fairy Lake early in the day, and one of the hikers had become extremely exhausted and both hikers were out of food and water. The party was unable to hike down, and with darkness setting in they requested search and rescue.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the Valley Section, as well as a helicopter from Billings Clinic MedFlight responded to the request. A hasty team hiked in from the M Trailhead and was able to access the party on foot where they assessed the patient and treated them for exhaustion and cold exposure. A second ground team used side by sides from Bridger Bowl, then hiked South to bring additional gear to the patient. The ground team was ultimately able to locate a landing zone for Billings MedFlight near the hikers. The patient was then assessed by a flight nurse, however due to weather, Billings MedFlight was unable to transport the patient. The party was assisted down the mountain by GCSSAR personnel throughout the night, but ultimately at daylight, they were flown off the mountain with the GCSSAR Heli Team.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind back country enthusiasts that even a day hike can go wrong quickly. Having enough gear to spend the night if necessary, as well as appropriate gear for the conditions and a way to communicate can greatly increase your chances when things go bad. Sheriff Springer would also like to thank the Valley Section, Heli Team, Comms Team, and Billings MedFlight for their exceptional work on a long and difficult rescue.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.