Gallatin Media Center

PRESS RELEASE

South Fork Trail Rescue

On Friday February 25, 2022 at 4:30 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the South Fork Trail, 7 miles southwest of town. An individual riding a snowmobile left the trail and crashed into a tree, suffering head and facial injuries.

SAR Volunteers, Custer Gallatin National Forest Law Enforcement and an EMT from the Hebgen Basin Fire Department responded with a specialized rescue sled and were able to treat the patient on scene before transporting off the trail and to a nearby ambulance. The patient was transferred over to the Hebgen Basin Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and was then transported to the Big Sky Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone out enjoying the trails and backcountry that trail conditions can change rapidly and accidents happen quickly.  Wearing proper riding gear, including a helmet, can save your life.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a snowmobile accident involving a fatality near West Yellowstone. The investigation is still ongoing and cause of death is pending. The accident involved 65-year-old Frank James Crow of Alabama. Crow’s snowmobile left the trail and struck a tree on the Little Snowy Trail. Crow had become separated from his wife who he was riding with and had not been seen for approximately 60 minutes. Crow was later discovered just off the trail by Gallatin County Sheriff Search & Rescue volunteers who were searching for him. A coroner from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is handling the death investigation. Thank you to Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department, who assisted with the recovery. Our deepest condolences to the Crow family during this time.
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Beker Cuelho, Deputy Coroner Benjamin Burtch, Chief Deputy Coroner

PRESS RELEASE

Little Snowy Trail Search

On Wednesday February 23, 2022 at 5:20 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to a request for assistance locating a missing snowmobiler near the Little Snowy Trail, 2 miles west of town. An individual riding with the missing snowmobiler became separated and was unable to locate their riding partner, eventually returning to town and calling the West Yellowstone Police Department.

Search and Rescue volunteers responded to the area and were able to locate the snowmobiler just north of Junction 13.  We are very sorry to report that the individual was deceased at the scene.  The Sheriff’s office is not releasing any other information at this time, pending an investigation and notification to the family.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to pass on his condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

PRESS RELEASE

South Plateau Trail Rescue

On Wednesday February 23, 2022 at 4:05 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the South Plateau Trail, 4 miles south of town. An individual riding a snowmobile left the trail and crashed into a tree, suffering a leg and arm injury.

SAR Volunteers and a paramedic from the Hebgen Basin Fire Department responded with a specialized rescue sled and were able to treat the patient on scene before transporting off the trail and to a nearby ambulance. The patient was transferred over to the Hebgen Basin Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and was then transported to the Big Sky Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone out enjoying the trails and backcountry that trail conditions can change rapidly.  Please ride to your ability and only travel the posted speed limits on the trail.  Also recreate with a friend and carry a reliable means of communication.  Rescuers were able to quickly respond to this incident because a friend called immediately and provided accurate GPS coordinates.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

On February 23, 2023 at approximately 5:45pm, Officers and Detectives from the Missouri River Drug Task Force, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Bozeman Police Department and Belgrade Police Department executed a search warrant on a residence in the 200 block of 10th Street in Belgrade.  This warrant stems from an ongoing criminal investigation and was executed without incident.  No further details are available at this time as the scene and investigation are still active.  There is no danger to the community.  As always, we would like to thank our law enforcement partners for their collaboration, dedication and professionalism.

Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools

For immediate release: February 23, 2022

On Saturday, Feb. 26, 45 students from area schools will gather at the Museum of the Rockies to compete in the annual Gallatin County Spelling Bee. Officiated by Gallatin County officials and Montana State University writer and KGLT deejay Rachel Hergett as pronouncer, the Bee features the top spellers in grades 4-8 from more than 40 public and private schools in Gallatin County. The contest begins at 9 AM in the Hager Auditorium and the public is invited to attend.

One of the oldest academic competitions in the area, the Gallatin County Spelling Bee is the semifinals for students hoping to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Four contestants at the county bee will advance to the Treasure State Spelling Bee in March, and one winner of the state bee will compete at the National Bee in Washington, D.C. for $50,000 and other prizes.

The 2022 Gallatin County Spelling Bee is coordinated by Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools Matthew Henry with support from local businesses the Bozeman Bowl, Bozeman Amateur Hockey Association, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Bozeman Hot Springs, and MacKenzie River Pizza.

For more information, contact the Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools Office at 406-582-3090 or by email at superintendentofschools@gallatin.mt.gov.

Photo courtesy of the Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools.

PRESS RELEASE

Tepee Creek Trail Rescue

On Saturday February 19, 2022 at 1:00 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the Tepee Creek Trail, 17.5 miles west of town. An individual riding a snowmobile in the backcountry came down hard off of a steep hill, sustaining a lower leg injury.

SAR Volunteers and a paramedic from Hebgen Basin Fire responded with a specialized rescue sled and were able to treat the patient on scene before transporting off the mountain and to an ambulance. The patient was transferred over to the Hebgen Basin Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and a transport to the Big Sky Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone out enjoying the backcountry that conditions can change rapidly.  Please be extra careful when off trail riding, as you are often a long distance away from emergency responders.  Also remember the importance of a reliable means of communication, which is usually not a cell phone when deep into the backcountry.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Madison Arm Trail Rescue

On Friday February 18, 2022 at 12:15 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the Madison Arm Trail, 5 miles west of town. An individual riding a snowmobile left the trail and crashed into a tree, suffering a leg injury.

Search and Rescue Volunteers and Custer Gallatin National Forest Law Enforcement responded with a specialized rescue sled and were able to treat the patient on scene before transporting off the trail and to a nearby ambulance. The patient was transferred over to the Hebgen Basin Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and was then transported to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind riders that not only can trail conditions change rapidly, but also to ride to their ability and only travel the posted speed limits on the trail. Always carry a communication device and be prepared to give your GPS location when calling for help.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: February 18, 2022

A search is ongoing for a 74-year-old female dementia patient last seen on the 200 block of Slough Creek Dr. in Bozeman. She left sometime between 10 PM and 4 AM on Feb. 17-18. She is described at 5-feet-5-inches tall, 165 pounds with gray/blonde hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue pants and only socks on her feet.

If you have seen this person, please call 911 immediately. People with dementia can travel quite a distance, even on foot, so we encourage everyone to keep an eye out for this woman. She is unfamiliar with the area and make seek refuge where available, like an open vehicle or shed for example.

Gallatin County Search and Rescue, the Bozeman Police Department, Bozeman Fire Department and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office are working on this search.

For media: Operations are staged in a parking lot at the corner of Resort Drive and Field Street, just north of Huffine Lane. Questions can be directed to Whitney Bermes, public information officer, by call or text at 406-595-8963.