In the early morning hours of October 5th, 2022, Gallatin County Coroner’s Office was notified that an overdue hunter was found deceased in the area of Truman Gulch. The hunter was identified as Joseph Raymond Balyeat, 65 years of age and a resident of Bozeman MT. The death has been determined to be of natural cause.
PRESS RELEASE
Truman Gulch Missing Hunter
On October 4, 2022, at 10:51pm, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call for an overdue hunter. The reporting party drove to the area where the individual was hunting, which was near the Truman Gulch trailhead, and found the hunters vehicle still there. Due to the hunter being several hours overdue with a known medical history, a search was initiated.
Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section, the SAR Drone Team, and the SAR Dog Team responded to the area to search for the hunter. LifeFlight Network also assisted by searching the area utilizing night vision. The reporting party was able to give an approximate area of where the individual was hunting and family members directed Search and Rescue teams to the hunters tree stand.
A Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue dog team located the hunter, deceased, in the early hours of the morning of October 5, 2022. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Coroner was dispatched and will release more details pending family notification.
Sheriff Springer would like to pass on his condolences to the family and friends during this difficult time.
For immediate release: Oct. 5, 2022
Media contacts:
Miranda Johnson, Clerk of Justice Court
406-582-2192
miranda.johnson@gallatin.mt.gov
Tim Martindale, Director of Gallatin County 911
406-582-2092
tim.martindatel@gallatin.mt.gov
Gallatin County Justice Court and 911 Records Temporarily Reducing Public Office Hours
Due to staffing shortages, two Gallatin County offices will be temporarily reducing public office hours.
Starting Tuesday, Oct. 11, Gallatin County Justice Court and 911 Records (both located at the Law and Justice Center), will be open to the public from 8 AM to 3 PM. Staff in both offices will remain working from 3 to 5 PM each day; however, that will be uninterrupted time for employees to process accumulated filings and records requests.
Like many employers across the county, state, and nation, Justice Court and 911 Records are short staffed.
Both Justice Court and 911 Records offices have a total of 10 positions each, and each office is down three people due to open positions and retirement.
The reduced public office hours in both offices will remain in place until more staff are hired. We will keep the public updated.
Last month, the Clerk of District Court’s Office also reduced its public office hours to 8 AM to 3 PM. Those hours remain in place.
Gallatin County Justice Court
Justice Court handles misdemeanor citations from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Highway Patrol, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Montana Department of Transportation and processes most of the felony cases during the daily in-custody appearances.
Justice Court also handles civil cases, which includes restraining orders, landlord-tenant and Small Claims.
Justice Court will use its afternoon hours to enable staff to process backlogged filings. The court will continue to receive and process electronic and hand-delivered filings under the court’s window during the hours of 3 to 5 PM.
For questions, please contact Justice Court at 406-582-2191 or justice@gallatin.mt.gov.
Gallatin County 911 Records
Records is the second division to the 911 Communications Department, located behind the window at the main entrance of the Law and Justice Center. The department maintains the records from the Bozeman Police Department, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gallatin County Detention Center.
Records requests can still be made online by emailing supportservices@gallatin.mt.gov. A new website for online records requests is coming soon – we will provide updates as soon as that service becomes available!
For any questions, please call the office at 406-582-2005.
For information on job openings in Justice Court, 911 Records, and all other county departments, please visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gallatinmt.
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For immediate release: Oct. 4, 2022
Media contact:
John Ansley, Gallatin County Weed District Coordinator
406-582-3265
john.ansley@gallatin.mt.gov
Bridger Bowl Honored with First-Ever Gallatin County Outstanding Noxious Weed Management Award
Two employees of Bridger Bowl Ski Area were recognized for their contributions to noxious weed management and their dedication to promoting healthy plant communities in Gallatin County.
John VanHouten and Josh Thompson received the first-ever Gallatin County Outstanding Noxious Weed Management Award. They were honored at the Gallatin County Commission’s meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
“Gallatin County is always very appreciative of those who go out of their way to manage noxious weeds on their property. Bridger Bowl is doing a lot,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Joe Skinner.
The Gallatin County Weed District wanted to honor these individuals or groups who are a vital part of noxious weed management in our county.
The award recognizes landowners and managers who do an exceptional job of controlling noxious weeds. These stewards are not only caring for their own land but are helping to protect the wild lands and local agriculture that make our county such a wonderful place to live.
The Weed District sought nominations over the summer. The Weed Board then reviewed the nominations and voted to give VanHouten and Thompson the award.
In nominating VanHouten and Thompson, it was noted that Bridger Bowl puts significant effort into promoting native forbs and grasses while reducing and eliminating noxious weeds on their over 2,000 acres of both private and federal land.
Bridger Bowl’s work includes regularly scheduled patrols, mowing and hand pulling to reduce weed seed production on the ski hill’s main runs, spraying to prevent weeds, and paying particular attention to parking lots that bring in outside weeds. If an infestation is identified, it is remediated, and the area is flagged for follow-up. And any areas of disturbance are seeded back to native grasses and monitored for weed germination over the next few years.
Bridger Bowl also collaborates regularly with Gallatin County, the U.S. Forest Service, and their neighbors Bridger Pines and Crosscut Mountain Sports Center.
Steve Saunders, member of the Gallatin County Weed Board, said the award offers an opportunity to educate the public and bring awareness to the importance noxious weed management. But it also is a chance to recognize folks who are truly making a difference.
“That’s what we’re looking for – people who really care,” Saunders said.
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Photo Courtesy of Gallatin County: John VanHouten, center holding award, is joined by Gallatin County Weed District staff and Weed Board members.
For immediate release: Oct. 3, 2022
This October, during Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month the nonprofit PulsePoint Foundation is rewarding communities like Gallatin County for identifying and registering Automated External Defibrillators in their areas.
See the full press release here.
Media contact:
Tim Martindale, Gallatin County 911 Director
406-582-2092
tim.martindale@gallatin.mt.gov
For immediate release: Sept. 30, 2022
Media contact:
Kevin Larsen, Operations and Training Manager for Gallatin County Emergency Management
kevin@readygallatin.com
406-548-0117
Gallatin County Emergency Management Hosting Large-Scale Training
for Area First Responders
Over a dozen emergency response agencies from across Gallatin County are taking part in a training exercise to better prepare our area first responders for an active killer situation.
The exercise will be on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Sacajawea Middle School in Bozeman. It will run from 4 to 10 PM.
School parents and neighbors can expect to see lots of emergency vehicles in the area during the training.
This exercise aims to train law enforcement and several fire departments to work as cohesive teams when entering scenes where there is still potential threat. The exercise will hit on topics such as victim retrieval, transport, treatment, and transfer.
Our agencies have a strong history of working and training together. This exercise will build upon these solid relationships to help our community be better prepared for some of the worst-case scenarios.
The training is made possible by a grant secured by Gallatin County Emergency Management.
Emergency response agencies participating include:
Many thanks to Bozeman School District for the use of their facility, and to American Medical Response, Manhattan Rural Fire District, Fort Ellis Fire Department, and Bridger Canyon Fire Department for supporting the training.
Media invited to attend the training
Reporters are invited to attend part of the exercise. You will be able to observe parts of the exercise and get interviews with participating officials. Please meet at the front entrance of Sacagawea Middle School at 5:30 PM.
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JUNCTION 8 KNEE INJURY
On Monday, September 26, 2022, at 9:24 a.m., the West Yellowstone Police Department received a 911 call from an individual who had possibly suffered a broken leg during a UTV rollover. The coordinates retrieved from the 911 call indicated that the crash location was 7.3 miles west of West Yellowstone.
Volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, Custer Gallatin National Forest Service, and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department responded to assist with the incident. The injured person was escorted to meet with a HBFD ambulance for medical evaluation ultimately choosing to self-transport to the Ennis Regional Medical Center for further care.
Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind UTV operators to ride within their abilities and be watchful for changing trail conditions. Carrying a reliable means of communication was integral in the swift response during this incident.
For immediate release: Sept. 26, 2022
Media contact:
Jasmine Hall, Gallatin County Elections Manager
jasmine.hall@gallatin.mt.gov
406-582-3060
Gallatin County Elections Office Encourages Early Voter Registration
Why wait?! The Gallatin County Elections Department encourages voters who need to register or update their registration to do so sooner than later to avoid Election Day lines.
Due to a recent court ruling, same-day voter registration will be permitted on Election Day for the upcoming federal general election on Nov. 8.
Voters can register to vote on Election Day, but can only do so at the Elections Office between 7 AM and 8 PM. Their ballots must be received by 8 PM.
Voters new to Gallatin County, who register on Election Day, will be required to vote provisionally. Their vote will be counted on Monday Nov. 14 once it goes through the Provisional Ballot verification process to ensure election integrity.
Gallatin County Elections staff urges folks to update your voter registration now! Be proactive and avoid long registration lines on Election Day. Depending on crowds, in years past folks have had to wait hours to get registered on Election Day. Come in now and our staff will have you in and out of our office in just a few minutes!
You can check your voter registration information at www.MyVoterPageMT.com. Remember – if you’ve moved or changed your name since the last election, you will need to update your registration.
Our staff makes it quick and easy to get registered. Simply print out this form and fill it out using blue or black ink. Then return it to our office either in person, by email or via email. For email forms, simply take a picture or scan your filled-out form and send it to gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov.
Almost 17 and ready to vote in the upcoming election? Seventeen-year-olds with birthdays on or before Election Day on Nov. 8 can pre-register today!
Please note: Regular voter registration for the upcoming general election closes at 5 PM on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The late voter registration period begins on Wednesday, Oct. 12. During late registration, you must appear in person at the election office to register to vote or make changes to your current registration. Late registration ends at noon on Monday, Nov. 7. Then same-day registration is available on Election Day from 7 AM to 8 PM.
Other recent elections changes
A recent court ruling also updated laws around what is an acceptable form of ID for voting. A student ID is now an acceptable form of identification. Students can provide their current student ID to vote – no additional ID required.
The Gallatin County Elections Office is located at:
311 W. Main St.
Room 210
Bozeman, MT 59715
Reach us at 406-582-3060 or gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov. Find more elections info at www.gallatinvotes.com.
In the early morning hours of Friday, September 23, 2022, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a fatality involving a vehicle and bicyclist that occurred near the corner of Huffine Ln and Gooch Hill Rd. The victim was identified as 75-year-old Richard Evers of Bozeman. Investigation showed Richard was attempting to cross Huffine Ln on his bicycle when a vehicle struck him. Cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries of the head and chest and the manner was ruled an accident.
Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Richard Evers during this time and to all parties involved in this tragic accident.
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Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner
Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer will hold a press conference to discuss the launch of the “Handle With Care” program. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s office is partnering with schools across the county to notify teachers and counselors when a student is exposed to a traumatic event. These school leaders will be more prepared to act as stable, nurturing buffers, and can offer therapeutic services to any child impacted by a traumatic event. The press conference will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 10 AM at the Gallatin County Detention Center Community Room (605 S. 16th Ave., Bozeman).
For any questions, please contact Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Christine Koosman at 406-582-2109 or 406-589-7379.
