Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: Aug. 1, 2023

Media contact:
Sandy Erhardt, Gallatin County Clerk of District Court
serhardt@mt.gov

Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s Office Resuming Regular Public Office Hours

The Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s Office is resuming regular public office hours this week. 

Since September 2022, due to short staffing, the Clerk of District Court’s Office has been closing to the public at 3 PM each business day to enable staff to catch up on office work. 

The department is now up to staffing levels that will allow it to resume normal public office hours. 

Beginning Aug. 1, the office will be open Mondays through Fridays from 8 AM to 5 PM. 

The Clerk of District Court’s Office is located on the second floor of the Law and Justice Center (615 S. 16th Ave. in Bozeman). 

Duties for this office include keeping records for District Court, providing marriage licenses, keeping minutes for court proceedings, filing all actions for every case filed in District Court, and more. 

We thank the public for their patience during these months as the Clerk of District Court has worked to hire and train employees. 

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For immediate release: July 28, 2023

Detection of Harmful Algal Blooms at Hyalite Reservoir and Elk Grove Park Pond 

As Montanans and visitors head to local ponds, lakes and reservoirs for late summer fun, public health official urge citizens to know the health risks of Harmful Algal Blooms, or “HABs”. 

 HABs are caused by blue-green algae that are native to Montana’s freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Not all varieties of blue-green algae are harmful, but some can produce dangerous cyanotoxin, including microcystin.  Blue-green algae blooms often look like pea soup, grass clippings, or green latex paint. The algae are usually suspended in the water or appear as floating mats; they do not grow from the bottom with roots like other water plants. 

On July 26 and July 27, Harmful Algal Blooms were detected at Hyalite Reservoir and Elk grove Park Pond.

See the full press release here.

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For immediate release: July 24, 2023

In the morning hours of Saturday, July 22, 2023, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Forest Service, and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a fatal bear mauling on the Buttermilk Creek trail near West Yellowstone.

The victim was identified as 48-year-old Amie Adamson of Derby, Kansas. At the time of her death, Amie was hiking or running on the trail and would often do so in the early morning. After investigation, the bear attack did not appear to be predatory. Amie’s cause of death was determined to be exsanguination due to a bear mauling. The manner is accidental.

Sheriff Dan Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Amie Adamson during this time.

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For immediate release: July 24, 2023

The Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) and the Gallatin Local Water Quality District (GLWQD) want to make sure you, your family, and your pets stay safe while recreating in the lakes, rivers, and streams in and around Gallatin County this summer. There are potential health risks to consider when recreating in freshwater, two health risks to highlight are harmful algal blooms (HABs) and E. coli.

Read the full press release here. 

 

PRESS RELEASE

College ‘M’ Steep Trail Rescue

On July 22, 2023, at 7:16am Gallatin County Dispatch received a 911 call for a person who had suffered an ankle injury while descending the steep side of the College ‘M’ Trail. The injured party was unable to walk down the trail and requested assistance from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR).

 

Gallatin County Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section, AMR, and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to the trailhead. A hasty team was deployed and made contact with the patient and determined the injured party would not be able to walk without assistance. GCSSAR members, some with specific alpine skills, packaged the patient in a one wheeled litter and then safely lowered them down to the trailhead using a low angle rope system.

 

Sheriff Springer would like to remind hikers that even adventures on popular trails, such as the College ‘M’ Trail, can go differently than planned. Hiking with a partner, having a communication device, and packing appropriate clothing and gear for changing conditions is always good practice.

 

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: July 21, 2023

Media contact:
Jessica Dixon, Gallatin County HR Assistant/Recruiter
jessica.dixon@gallatin.mt.gov
406-582-3045

Employers Invited to Participate in Gallatin County Job Fair

Gallatin County is hosting a job fair in September and employers from across the area are invited to participate and advertise their current openings! 

The Gallatin County Job Fair will be on Tuesday, September 12 from 12-6 PM at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds.  

This event will provide employers with access to a diverse talent pool, an opportunity for face-to-face connection with potential applicants, chances to network with other businesses and government agencies in the area, brand visibility and promotion, market research and feedback from job seekers, and a way to engage with your community! 

 Employers already confirmed to be on hand include: 

• Gallatin County Human Resources
• Gallatin County 911 
• Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office 
• Montana Department of Justice 
• Montana State University 
• Town Pump 
• First Security Bank 
• Highline Partners 
• Best Practice Medicine 
• City of Bozeman 
• Belgrade School District 
• P&J Plumbing 
• The Springs Living 
• Vocational Rehab 
• The Producer Partnership 
• Bozeman Job Service 
• Express Employment Professionals 
• Big Sky Staffing 

The job fair is free, but space is limited. Booths are reserved on a first-come basis. Employers can register for a booth by emailing jessica.dixon@gallatin.mt.gov. For additional questions, please call 406-582-3045. 

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PRESS RELEASE

Flints Creek Rescue

On July 19th, 2023, at 9:22 am, Gallatin County dispatch received a call for an injured horseback rider on a trail near the 320 Guest Ranch. The patient fell from their horse and sustained a head injury. Ranch staff members radioed for help and began to provide care to the patient.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Big Sky Section responded to the 320 Guest Ranch and deployed a hasty team up the trail. Ranch employees guided rescuers to the location of the patient. The rider was safely transported back to the trailhead with the use of a one-wheeled-litter and side by side. Ultimately the patient was transferred to a Big Sky Fire Department Ambulance and transported to Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center for further evaluation.

Sheriff Springer would like to commend the 320 Guest Ranch for being prepared with an emergency communication plan and for providing aid to the patient before help arrived.  Recreating in the backcountry can lead to several kinds of accidents, being prepared for what could happen helps both the responders and the patient.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

 

For Immediate Release: July 19, 2023

Between March 28 and April 17, 2023, over 50 individuals reported becoming sick with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms after eating at Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman, MT. As previously reported, two of these individuals died and three were hospitalized.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) have continued the outbreak investigation in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This investigation has been a multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary undertaking. At this time, there is no further risk to the public for illness associated with this outbreak.

The public health departments have published a summary report to indicate the findings from this outbreak investigation. You can read that report here.

For the full press release, visit our website.

For immediate release: July 13, 2023

Media contact:
Amanda Hartman, Marketing/Sponsorship Coordinator
406-582-3275
amanda.hartman@gallatin.mt.gov

Big Sky Country State Fair to Host Montana Beef Council Barnyard

The Montana Beef Council and the Big Sky Country Fair have teamed up in order to bring education, activities, and fun to Bozeman from Wednesday, July 19 through Sunday, July 23. At the Gallatin County Fairgrounds, the Haynes Pavilion will be transformed into the Montana Beef Council Barnyard, where children’s workshops and giveaways will be taking place each day from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Activities include building your own brand, a roping relay, beef bingo, line dancing, protein poetry, pasture pair tag, and an introduction to beef cuts. While workshops are taking place, parents can pick up resources on where to find local beef, recipes, nutrition information, and ideas on what to make for dinner!

Additionally, the Montana Beef Council will be hosting a scavenger hunt using stickers placed throughout the fair. If participants fill out their scavenger hunt cards correctly, they are given the chance to win beef swag and other prizes. Competitors can sign up at the Montana Beef Council Barnyard or by following this link.

“Last year, we brought one pretty exciting activity to the fair in the form of a ninja obstacle course, but this year, we’re bringing a whole host of activities for families to enjoy,” said Anna Sponheim, project manager for the Montana Beef Council. “In order to accomplish our goal of putting more beef on more plates, we have to get outside the barn, which is why we’re bringing the barnyard to Bozeman.”

Amanda Hartman, Big Sky Country State Fair Marketing/Sponsorship Coordinator, said, “We are excited to team up with Montana Beef Council for the all-NEW Barnyard! Offering more agriculture education opportunities at the Big Sky Country State Fair has been a goal of ours for years, and with the help of Montana Beef Council, we are making that dream a reality.”

More details about the upcoming activities at the Montana Beef Council Barnyard and the Big Sky Country State Fair can be found on the Montana Beef Council Facebook page.

Check out more information about the Montana Beef Council throughout the year on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, or by going to www.montanabeefcouncil.org.

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In the afternoon hours of Friday, July 7, 2023, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with the Montana Highway Patrol, and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a single fatality motor vehicle crash that occurred on Highway 191 near mile marker 71. The crash involved a passenger vehicle and semi-truck. The driver of the passenger vehicle killed in the crash was identified as 50-year-old Brent Fjeldheim of Bozeman. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries of the head and abdomen. The cause of the accident is being investigated by Montana Highway Patrol.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brent Fjeldheim during this time.

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Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner