Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: Dec. 9, 2022

PRESS RELEASE

Gallatin River Ranch Stranded Motorist

On December 6, 2022, at 6:24pm Gallatin County 911 received a call from a stranded motorist whose vehicle had become stuck in the snow in the area of Nixon Gulch Rd and Gallatin River Rd. The driver and family were traveling home and accidentally slid into a precarious situation in the snow next to a steep drop off. After assessing the situation, the driver determined they didn’t think a tow truck could safely reach the vehicle and requested assistance to get the family home safely.

Due to road conditions and the location of the vehicle, volunteers from the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) Valley Section responded to the area with side by sides and ATV’s to assist the stranded individuals. After a helicopter from Lifeflight Network was able to find their exact location, the entire family was safely brought down from their vehicle and transported home.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind everyone that with the heavy snowfall we have received this year to always travel prepared. Remember to bring warm clothing and have a communication device handy. Even the best equipment can fail in extreme weather so if you need assistance, please call 911 sooner rather than later.

CORRECTION: The previous version of the below press release had the incorrect size of the building. It has been corrected in the version below (see bolded red text below). We apologize for the error.

For immediate release: Dec. 2, 2022

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
Cell: 406-595-8963
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County Purchases Farm Bureau Building in Bozeman

Gallatin County has purchased the Farm Bureau building in Bozeman, adding space for current and future county operations to continue serving our growing population.

On Thursday, Dec. 1, the Gallatin County Commission signed closing documents finalizing the purchase of the 24,000-square-foot building, located at 502 S. 19th. Ave., just east of the Law and Justice Center.

“It’s a great addition to our Law and Justice Center campus for our growing county,” said Commissioner Scott MacFarlane. “Purchasing an existing building and renovating is a more economical choice than building new. Getting this facility is a better deal for taxpayers and will help us serve our citizens for years to come.”

The county bought the building from 502 South 19th LLC, managed by Jeffery Greenberg, for $3.6 million. The county is also paying about $150,000 in additional fees for things like inspections and broker’s commission.

County staff will now work to develop plans for remodeling, which the county aims to begin in the fall of 2023.

Remodeling plans depend on what departments are moved into the building, how much space they will require, and what they each need to perform their work. The list of county offices that will be moved into the building hasn’t been finalized, but some departments will include Court Services and 911 Records.

“During our public outreach for the bond to build our new courts building, we told the public that we planned on building a new facility on the Law and Justice Center campus for other programming that wasn’t going to be in the new courts building. We are following through on that promise, but in a different way that enables us to get about twice the space for the same price as building new,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Joe Skinner.

Commissioners will also decide on if the county will rent out any space to organizations outside of the county, including current tenants.

There are 15 tenants currently in the Farm Bureau building. The county will work directly with them through this ownership transition. Tenants will remain in place while the county works on a timeline for them moving out or potentially continuing to lease space. If any of those tenants are displaced, the county will assist them with temporary and/or permanent relocation.

“As we take over this building as the new owners, we are committed to working with each current tenant to help make this transition as seamless as possible,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown. “In the coming months, we will work with each tenant on a transition plan, eventually leading up to a remodel followed by moving in our county departments.”

The Farm Bureau building purchase is one of a number of ongoing capital projects the county is currently engaged in to add needed space, upgrade aging facilities, and provide better and more efficient customer service to our citizens.

Construction of the new courts building, located next to the current Law and Justice Center, began in October. It is slated to be finished by the fall of 2024.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office building, located near the intersection of Jackrabbit and Baxter lanes in Four Corners, will be remodeled and expanded. And a new building for Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue will be constructed at the sheriff’s office Four Corners campus. Both of those projects are slated to start late this spring and wrap up in 2024.

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For immediate release: Dec. 2, 2022

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
Cell: 406-595-8963
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County Purchases Farm Bureau Building in Bozeman

Gallatin County has purchased the Farm Bureau building in Bozeman, adding space for current and future county operations to continue serving our growing population.

On Thursday, Dec. 1, the Gallatin County Commission signed closing documents finalizing the purchase of the 22,000-square-foot building, located at 502 S. 19th. Ave., just east of the Law and Justice Center.

“It’s a great addition to our Law and Justice Center campus for our growing county,” said Commissioner Scott MacFarlane. “Purchasing an existing building and renovating is a more economical choice than building new. Getting this facility is a better deal for taxpayers and will help us serve our citizens for years to come.”

The county bought the building from 502 South 19th LLC, managed by Jeffery Greenberg, for $3.6 million. The county is also paying about $150,000 in additional fees for things like inspections and broker’s commission.

County staff will now work to develop plans for remodeling, which the county aims to begin in the fall of 2023.

Remodeling plans depend on what departments are moved into the building, how much space they will require, and what they each need to perform their work. The list of county offices that will be moved into the building hasn’t been finalized, but some departments will include Court Services and 911 Records.

“During our public outreach for the bond to build our new courts building, we told the public that we planned on building a new facility on the Law and Justice Center campus for other programming that wasn’t going to be in the new courts building. We are following through on that promise, but in a different way that enables us to get about twice the space for the same price as building new,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Joe Skinner.

Commissioners will also decide on if the county will rent out any space to organizations outside of the county, including current tenants.

There are 15 tenants currently in the Farm Bureau building. The county will work directly with them through this ownership transition. Tenants will remain in place while the county works on a timeline for them moving out or potentially continuing to lease space. If any of those tenants are displaced, the county will assist them with temporary and/or permanent relocation. 

“As we take over this building as the new owners, we are committed to working with each current tenant to help make this transition as seamless as possible,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown. “In the coming months, we will work with each tenant on a transition plan, eventually leading up to a remodel followed by moving in our county departments.”

The Farm Bureau building purchase is one of a number of ongoing capital projects the county is currently engaged in to add needed space, upgrade aging facilities, and provide better and more efficient customer service to our citizens.

Construction of the new courts building, located next to the current Law and Justice Center, began in October. It is slated to be finished by the fall of 2024.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office building, located near the intersection of Jackrabbit and Baxter lanes in Four Corners, will be remodeled and expanded. And a new building for Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue will be constructed at the sheriff’s office Four Corners campus. Both of those projects are slated to start late this spring and wrap up in 2024.

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Photos courtesy of Gallatin County.

For immediate release: Dec. 2, 2022

Gallatin County 911 Now Offering Online Records Requests

The Gallatin County 911 Records Division is happy to now offer an online portal for citizens to make requests for records from the Bozeman Police Department and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

The new online portal is a user-friendly way to request documents from on the go from your phone or from the privacy of your own home.

See the entire press release here.

Media contact:
Tim Martindale, Gallatin County 911 Director
406-582-2092
tim.martindale@gallatin.mt.gov

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PRESS RELEASE

CORRETTE RIDGE STUCK SNOWMOBILERS

On Monday, November 28, 2022, at 7:55 p.m., the West Yellowstone Police Department Dispatch Center received a 911 call from two snowmobilers who had abandoned their stuck snowmobile near Corrette Ridge and were in need of assistance. One of the snowmobilers was having difficulty breathing as they attempted to walk back to West Yellowstone. The snowmobilers were reported to have minimal survival gear and only one flashlight.

Volunteers from the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue West Yellowstone Section and Hebgen Basin Fire Department located the snowmobilers in good health 6.45 miles southwest of West Yellowstone.  The snowmobilers were medically assessed and then transported back to West Yellowstone.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone planning to enjoy the outdoors that survival gear is an integral part of any successful outing. Winter weather and temperatures can be demanding and change suddenly. Flashlight, fire starter, reliable means of communication, food and water are all some of the basic necessities to carry with you on your winter adventure.

Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

BOZEMAN URBAN SEARCH

On November 17, 2022, at 7:40pm, Gallatin County 911 received a call for a person with severe mental disabilities that had walked away from home. The person was not dressed appropriately for the weather and the direction of travel was unknown. With temperatures being dangerously cold assistance was requested to help find the individual.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the Valley Section, Bozeman Police Department officers, and the Bozeman Fire Department coordinated their efforts to search the area. GCSSAR Dog Teams and the Drone Team were also utilized.  With numerous law enforcement officers, firefighters, and GCSSAR personnel searching a large area, the missing person was found cold but in overall good health.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone, with the cold temperatures upon us to remember to dress warmly and prepare appropriately for the elements even if you are in a city.

Photos courtesy of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

On the afternoon of Sunday November 6, 2022, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a single vehicle fatality that occurred near the intersection of Monforton School Rd. and Kallestad Ln. The victim was identified as 18-year-old Landon Hull of Bozeman. Landon was taken to Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital where he ultimately died of his injuries. Cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries of the head and abdomen.

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

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Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner

For immediate release: Nov. 2, 2022

Media contact:
Patrick Lonergan, Chief of Gallatin County Emergency Management and Fire
406-548-0111
patrick@readygallatin.com

Open Burning Ends in Gallatin County on Nov. 30

There are only a few more weeks of open burning left in the season in Gallatin County.

Open burning in Gallatin County ends on November 30, and will reopen on March 1.

If you still have burning projects you need to get done before the end of the month, remember that burn permits are required. Permits can be obtained online at www.gallatinburnpermits.com or in person at the following locations:

• Bozeman Fire Department – 901 N. Rouse Ave., Bozeman
• Central Valley Fire District – 215 Wings Way, Belgrade
• Gallatin County Treasurer’s Office – 311 W. Main St., room 103, Bozeman
• Three Forks Community Library – 607 N. Main St., Three Forks

Permits can be activated online or by calling 1-888-540-8131.

More information on what you can and cannot burn, and the current open burning status in your fire district, can be found here.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality can permit burning during the winter depending on conditions. Those wishing to conduct a burning project from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28 must apply and request a Burner Identification Number at least two weeks ahead of time. The morning you wish to burn, you must then contact the DEQ meteorologist to receive approval to burn. If approval is granted, you then must activate a purchased Gallatin County DEQ Notification permit at www.gallatinburnpermits.com.

More information on winter burning can be found here.

Gallatin County Extension is hosting a free forest debris pile burning practicum on Friday, Nov. 18. To learn more about the course and to register, visit here.

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On the evening of Thursday October 27, 2022, The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a two-vehicle fatality that occurred near I-90, mile marker 293. A wrong way driver traveling Westbound collided with another vehicle traveling East. The drivers of both vehicles were declared dead at the scene. The driver traveling East was identified as 18-year-old Brielle Papavero of Billings. The wrong way driver traveling West, was identified as 25-year-old Madalynn Raab of Bozeman. Cause of death for both was determined to be blunt force injuries and the manner was ruled an accident.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brielle Papavero and Madalynn Raab during this time.

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Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner