Gallatin Media Center

For Immediate Release:

For Immediate Release: March 23, 2021

On Tuesday, Mar. 23, after meeting with community stakeholders and health care professionals, Gallatin City-County Health Department confirmed that it will be following the state’s expanded eligibility criteria starting on April 1. The Health Department emphasized, however, that it will continue to provide expanded access to people in higher-risk groups, including those 60 and older, people with certain underlying health conditions, and people of color and American Indians.

Read the full press release here.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about COVID-19. Reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123 or email at callcenter@readygallatin.com.

The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website.

(Gallatin County, Mont) At 1:45 this morning, Fort Ellis Fire Dept, AMR, Montana Highway Patrol, and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office were called out for a semi-truck blocking several lanes of traffic on I-90 east of Bear Canyon, near mile marker 313. An eastbound semi had straddled the jersey barriers between lanes, blocking all lanes in both directions. Local wrecker services were able to remove the semi and trailer, and driving lanes were reopened in both directions by 6:30 am. Bozeman Fire responded to handle fuel and oil on the roadway. The driver had been caught unaware by changing conditions as he headed into Rocky Canyon and jackknifed on the ice. The truck driver and passenger were unharmed.

One lane of I-90 is currently open in both directions. Montana DOT will repair the damage to the jersey barrier this morning and passing lanes are expected to be open this afternoon. Please allow extra time if you are driving I-90 between Bozeman and Jackson Creek this morning, and drive carefully through the reconstruction zone.

#######

Media Contact: Buck Taylor, Fort Ellis Fire, 406-539-9358

Gallatin County Election Department

For immediate release: March 19, 2021

The Gallatin County Election Department recently received national recognition from the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) for its mobile satellite program that was used during the 2020 general election.

The EAC is a federal agency that was created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to serve as a clearinghouse for election administration information. In fulfilling this mission, the EAC gives annual Clearinghouse Awards known as “Clearies” to election offices across the country to highlight and celebrate exceptional efforts in public service. Clearies are awarded for five categories – improving accessibility for voters with disabilities, outstanding innovations in cybersecurity and technology, outstanding innovations in elections, best practices in recruiting, retaining, and training poll workers, and creative and innovative “I Voted” stickers.

The Gallatin County Election Department received an honorable mention for outstanding innovations in elections for small jurisdictions. While not a Clearinghouse Award, this is the first time an election office in Montana has received recognition by the EAC.

“It’s an honor,” said Casey Hayes, Gallatin County Election Manager. “It’s great to be recognized for some of the hard work and extra effort that went in to making the 2020 election cycle as successful as it could be. Everybody who works in the department had an active role in making this pilot program successful and we are hopeful that we can do this again in 2022.”

Working with local partners across the county, the election department established a mobile satellite office in Belgrade, Three Forks, Manhattan, West Yellowstone, Big Sky, and the campus of Montana State University in the weeks leading up to Election Day. Over 2,000 voters were able to register, vote in-person, and deposit their voted ballot at the satellite office before November 3. The election department built on these experiences in order to provide a satellite voting office at the fairgrounds on Election Day, which significantly reduced wait times and lines.

“Innovation is a big part of election administration and we understand that, especially with the growth in the area. Gallatin County voters need us to be creative problem solvers,” said Hayes. “If you build it, they will come.”

Media contact:
Casey Hayes, Gallatin County Election Manager
406-582-3060
casey.hayes@gallatin.mt.gov

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County.

For immediate release: March 18, 2021

Robert Allen Erickson, 63 years old, of North Dakota, was skiing at Bridger Bowl on March 16, 2021 when he fell and sustained head trauma. It was unclear whether he was wearing a helmet at the time. He was transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital where he died of his injuries. The cause of death was ruled as blunt force trauma of the neck.

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2021

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.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about COVID-19. Reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123 or email at callcenter@readygallatin.com.

The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website.

On Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 10:41 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue responded to a request for assistance from two individuals whose side by side ATV got stuck in the area of Flathead Pass. The two individuals were cold and needed help getting out.

Volunteers responded and helped the stuck individuals. All parties made it safely out and a Sheriff’s Chaplain assisted with getting the two individuals safely to their residence.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For immediate release: March 15, 2021

Even before the flames were fully extinguished, Greater Gallatin United Way and the One Valley Community Foundation, in cooperation with the Southwest Montana Community Organizations Active in Disaster (SWMT COAD), created the Bridger Foothills Fire Relief Fund in response to the community requests. In total, more than $405,000 in funding was raised to assist those impacted by the fire through direct community donations, hosted events, branded product sales, art auctions and other creative, community-driven efforts. Over 861 donations to the relief fund supported 105 individuals from 42 households and provided funds to six organizations that responded to the fire and post-fire needs.

See the full press release here.

Media contacts:

Danica Jamison, President & CEO of Greater Gallatin United Way
406-587-2194
danica@greatergallatinunitedway.org

Bridget Wilkinson, Executive Director of One Valley Community Foundation
406-587-6262
bridget@onevalley.org

On Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 3:50 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in Big Sky responded to a request for assistance from Canyon Adventures for an injured snowmobiler on Buck Ridge. The person was riding on a snowmobile and sustained a lower back injury.

Volunteers responded and helped the injured snowmobiler. All parties made it safely out to the trailhead. The patient was assessed by Big Sky Fire Department personnel and transported to Big Sky Medical Center.

On Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 4:15 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the South Plateau Trail System, approximately 15 miles south of town. Two individuals riding a two seat snowmobile, crashed into a tree while rounding a corner.  Both parties were injured, one with significant face and head injuries.

Volunteers responded with two specialized rescue sleds and were able to treat the patients on scene before transporting them off the mountain and into town. The patient was transferred over to the Hebgen Basin Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and a transport to the hospital.

Photos courtesy of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.