Gallatin Media Center

Media Release:  220406-01
Contact:  Patrick Lonergan (406) 548-0116

SPRING FLOODING – IT’S ALMOST THAT TIME

Bozeman, MT – As Gallatin County moves closer to spring, the risk of spring flooding increases.  While we can not predict if Gallatin County will see any spring flooding in 2022, we know that now is the time to prepare your property in order to minimize the potential effect of flooding.

The most prevalent cause of localized flooding are obstructed waterways that block the flow of water and cause it to go where you don’t want it.  Now is the time to make sure ditches, culverts and other waterways on your property are clear of debris so we can keep as much water in them as possible.

Additionally, if you feel your property is at risk of flooding, you may want to consider flood insurance.  Flood damage is not covered by homeowners insurance.  Flood insurance has a 30 day waiting period for the policy to take effect, so you can not wait until flooding is imminent to get a policy.  Contact your insurance agency for policy information.

Now is also the time to develop your plan on how you will protect your property if you are affected by flooding later this spring.  Once flooding occurs, the damage is done.  So developing your plan now, and implementing it early is critical to minimizing damage.

More information on flooding is available at:  http://www.readygallatin.com/community-resources/preparedness-information/flooding-in-gallatin-county/.

View the Keep It Flowing educational video at:  https://youtu.be/z_LtMhhyiqo

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT

On April 3, 2022, at 1:53 pm, Gallatin County 911 received a call from skiers caught in an avalanche while ascending the north face of Wilson Peak in Big Sky.

 

One skier was able to self-extricate immediately.  The other skier was swept down the slope, through some trees, and ultimately was able to self-extricate at the bottom of the slide. That skier sustained injuries that would not allow them to hike or ski out.

 

The reporting party had a GPS communication device and was able to call for help. Gallatin County Sheriff SAR members from Big Sky and the Helicopter team responded to the patient’s location. They were able to land near the patient, load both into the helicopter and fly them to a waiting Big Sky Fire Dept Ambulance. The patient was transported to the Big Sky Medical Center for further evaluation.

 

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the skiers for having a communication device that allowed them to call for help immediately and be rescued in a timely manner. Having a plan and equipment for emergency events when recreating in the backcountry can make the difference between a quick rescue or spending an unexpected night in the mountains.

 

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office

For immediate release: April 2, 2022

Interstate 90 eastbound on Bozeman Pass has re-opened following a semi accident.

We thank the public for their patience during the time it took responders to work on the scene.

For immediate release: April 2, 2022

Eastbound traffic on Interstate 90 over the Bozeman pass continues to be blocked due to a semi accident at mile marker 316. Very little traffic is able to move by.

This blockage will continue until at least 7 PM tonight. If you are stuck in traffic, wait and use the Bear Creek or Trail Creek exits to turn around.

If you can change your plans, please avoid traveling eastbound over Bozeman Pass until later this evening.

And if you are in the area, please be safe while responders are on scene. We thank you for your patience.

 

For immediate release: March 30, 2022

Gallatin County 911 announces the release of its inaugural annual report, which highlights a continually increasing number of calls handled by our dispatchers in our rapidly growing county.

The 2021 annual report shows that Gallatin County dispatchers processed 160,492 incoming calls in 2021, a 2.87% increase from the year before and a 21.25% increase from 2018.

“These past twelve months have proven to be challenging as we faced staffing shortages, technological changes, operations upgrades and, like everyone else, a global pandemic. Without the support of the community and our partner agencies we would not have been able to successfully navigate this past year,” said Tim Martindale, Director of Gallatin County 911.

In addition to statistics on calls and 911’s budget, the report also highlights accomplishments of the staff, including implementing text to 911, merging with Montana State University dispatch, lifesaver awards, and numerous trainings completed by staff.

“Over this past year not only did we complete major projects, implement new process and strategies to better serve our community, but lives were saved along the way,” Martindale said. “At the end of the day, that within itself is what we are here for.”

Click here to see the entire report.

Gallatin County 911 continues to look for quality dispatchers and records staff. Click here to see our current job openings and apply to join our team.

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

On March 23, 2022 at approximately 11:30 am, Big Sky Ski Patrol received a report of a snowboarder who was unresponsive on the North Summit Snowfield of Lone Mountain after a fall. Big Sky Ski Patrol and Big Sky Fire Department attempted to revive the patient but were unsuccessful. The Gallatin County Sheriff/Coroner’s Office took jurisdiction and began an investigation into the cause and manner of death. The investigation is ongoing. The decedent has been identified as 29-year-old Chandler Pelletier of Belgrade. 

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to express his sorrow to Mr. Pelletier’s family and friends for their tragic loss. 

The Gallatin City-County Health Department is saddened to announce that one more Gallatin County resident has passed away from complications due to COVID-19.

See the full press release here.

Find times, dates, and locations to get your vaccine anywhere in Gallatin County on our website.

• Gallatin City-County Health Department Clinics – Click here to schedule an appointment. 
  
  • Moderna (18+) and Pfizer (12+) 
    • Fri., March 25 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Tues., March 29 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• • Pediatric Pfizer (5-11)

• • • Thursday, March 24, 2022 | 12:30 to 4 p.m.
    • Thursday, March 31, 2022 | 12:30 to 4 p.m.
      

• IF YOU ARE FEELING SICK – GET TESTED! Click here to find a location nearest you to get tested!

 

PRESS RELEASE

RENDEZVOUS SKI TRAIL INJURED SKIER

 

On Monday, March 22, 2022, at 12:17 p.m., the West Yellowstone Police Department received a 911 call from a skier on the Rendezvous Ski Trail system 1.68 miles south of West Yellowstone. The caller indicated that a member of their party had fallen and was disoriented due to a head injury.

 

Volunteers from Gallatin County Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department responded to the location and loaded the patient onto a specialized snow ambulance. An ambulance crew took over patient care at the trailhead. The skier ultimately traveled in their own vehicle to Big Sky Medical Center for further evaluation and care.

 

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind skiers that springtime temperatures cause the snow to thaw and refreeze resulting in unpredictable snow conditions.

The GCSO Public Safety Academy affords Gallatin County citizens an opportunity to experience law enforcement from the inside.  For eight weeks, one night a week, you can learn from the best in law enforcement, crisis intervention, and search and rescue.  The Academy will lead you through making traffic stops, field sobriety maneuvers, crime scene management, and evidence collection.  You will be able to ride along with a GCSO Deputy, talk to a 9-1-1 dispatcher, and tour the Detention Center.  You can try on the body armor worn by the Special Response Team, learn how undercover detectives track drug deals, and watch a K9 stop a bad guy.    This is a great introduction to how public safety works in your community!

 

The ninth GCSO Public Safety Academy is scheduled for April 6 through May 24, 2022. The Academy is held every Wednesday evening from 6-9 pm. The Academy is free and open to any Gallatin County resident 18 years and older.  For more information, or to register, contact Erin Metzger by phone at 582-2066 or by e-mail at erin.metzger@gallatin.mt.gov.  Please contact Erin by Tuesday, March 29th to register.

PRESS RELEASE

Big Sky Snowmobile Fatality

On March 21, 2022, at 1:53 pm, Gallatin County 911 received a call for an injured snowmobiler in the McAtee Basin area, south of Big Sky. The caller found the victim unresponsive and immediately started lifesaving efforts. The caller was unable to resuscitate the victim and ultimately had to leave the area for cell service to call for help.

 

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Big Sky Section and the Heli Team responded and recovered the victim with a helicopter due to the difficult terrain. A Gallatin County Deputy Coroner responded for the investigation.  The victim’s name has not been released at this time.

 

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to pass on his condolences to the family and friends during this difficult time.