Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: Nov. 26, 2024 

Media contact:
Eric Semerad, Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder/Election Administrator
406-582-3054
eric.semerad@gallatin.mt.gov 

Results of the Gallatin County Local Government Review Commission Race Recount

A recount of the Gallatin County local government study review commission race has affirmed the original election results while slightly narrowing the margin between the seventh- and eighth-place candidates. 

On Monday, Nov. 25, the Gallatin County Elections Office conducted a hand recount of all 71,027 ballots counted in the Nov. 5 federal election. The recount focused on the local government study commission race, where 22 candidates competed for seven seats on the nonpartisan commission. This commission is tasked with reviewing the county’s structure, powers, and service delivery and recommending potential changes. 

The recount was requested by candidate Rene Flynn, who finished eighth in the initial tally, trailing the seventh-place candidate, EJ Porth, by just 77 votes. Under Montana law, a recount is permitted for this race for when the margin of victory is within one-quarter of 1% of 1/7 of total votes cast for this race. 

After the recount, Porth’s final vote total stood at 15,029, while Flynn received 14,980 votes—a 49-vote difference. This outcome confirmed Porth’s election to the commission. 

Differences in votes counted by hand as compared to votes counted by tabulator machines can occur for a variety of reasons including a recount clerk’s interpretation of a voter’s intent, difference in resolution of questionable ballot or miscounting in the hand count.  

The recount was conducted at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds and involved over 140 paid staff and temporary election workers. The process, which lasted nine hours and 15 minutes, was overseen by the Gallatin County Commissioners, serving as the recount board. 

“This recount demonstrates the integrity and transparency of our election process,” said Gallatin County Elections Administrator Eric Semerad. “It’s crucial that voters have confidence in how their votes are counted and that candidates have the ability to verify results when the margins are so close.” 

Upcoming Recount for Montana House District 57

The Gallatin County Elections Office is preparing for another recount, this time for the Montana House District 57 race. That district overlaps with Park County, which will also conduct a recount of ballots cast in their portion of the district. Unofficial final results showed Democratic candidate Scott Rosenweig with a 20-vote lead over Republican candidate Marty Malone. 

Gallatin County’s recount of approximately 3,000 ballots is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 2, at 1 p.m. in the Gallatin County Courthouse Community Room (311 W. Main St., Bozeman). Park County’s recount is being held on Wednesday, Nov. 27.  

For more information on recount procedures or upcoming election activities, please contact the Gallatin County Elections Office at gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-582-3060. 

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Photos courtesy of Gallatin County

For immediate release: Nov. 25, 2024

Each year, approximately 630 people die in Gallatin County. Of those who die, some people go unclaimed at the funeral home or coroner’s office for various reasons. Many attempts are made to find family, friends, or other individuals willing to make final arrangements for the unclaimed person. After arrangement attempts are exhausted, the unclaimed decedent is cremated, and the remains are stored at the funeral home or coroner’s office.

Over the years, many unclaimed urns have been stored at Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service and the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office. Both the Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service and the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office believe these people deserve to be respectfully laid to rest. The unclaimed urns will be buried at the Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 1:30 PM. A reading of the names and a prayer by the Gallatin County Chaplain will be performed graveside. This event will be open to the public.

The burial will include a total of 66 unclaimed urns of individuals who passed from 1922 to 2020. A list of 63 public names and the year of death for those being buried can be found below. Some names will not be included on the list. Those not named include people who request burial with these unclaimed urns, infants, and unidentified cremated remains delivered to the funeral home or coroner’s office. Included in the public list are five veterans (denoted by an asterisk) that will be honored and laid to rest in a separate ceremony at a later date. If you recognize any of these names, and Dokken-Nelson can verify a valid connection, you are welcome to retrieve your urn prior to the burial.

List of Names and Year of Death in Alphabetical Order

• Clark Allen (2010)
• Dagmar Arctander (1973)
• Carl Arctander (1973)
• Arthur Bartosch (1995)
• Frank Bimrose (1965)
• Marie Bimrose (1960)
• Mary Brehl (1929)
• Cheryl Brooks (2005)
• Walter Cattrell (1950)
• Dale Christensen* (1955)
• Melvin Clouse (2007)
• Katharine Cobb (1989)
• Beatrice Copeland (2003)
• George Covey (1981)
• Edrie Cronin (1969)
• George Cutler (1996)
• Arleen Danielson (2004)
• Sir Roderque Ellis (1944)
• Fred Fallet (1996)
• Charlotte Fillbach (2000)
• Fay Fisher (1987)
• Thomas Gilkerson (1968)
• Rose Hablow (1990)
• Frank Hahn (2016)
• Lawrence Harner (1975)
• Harriet Hunt (1959)
• Ruth Jespersen (1957)
• Larry Jones (2011)
• Marvin Jones* (1968)
• Blanche Landau (1948)
• Lilliam Laukala (1994)
• Steven Leffler (2004)
• Casilda Lenci (2008)
• Peter Longo (2020)
• Cora Loraine (1972)
• Fanny Loth (1953)
• Werner Lundin* (1994)
• Janet MacIver (1983)
• James Mantel (2009)
• Rebecca Mantel (2000)
• Gary Marks (2019)
• Alvina McManus (1981)
• Cavour McMillian* (1997)
• Evelyn Monroe (1991)
• Edward Morris* (1967)
• Joseph Myhre (2009)
• Stephen Nile (1981)
• Richard Panzloff (2006)
• Louise Poro (1990)
• Susan Quayle (2007)
• Anne Riddle (1978)
• Maybelle Rockefeller (1976)
• Mary Scott (1999)
• Viola Shivvers (1998)
• Margaret Smith (1989)
• William Smith (1999)
• James Stephens (2004)
• Diana Stover (1976)
• Corinne Taplin (1984)
• Minnie Thrasher (1960)
• Marjorie Vardalis (1981)
• Ruth Williamson (2006)
• Dorothy Young (1997)

A special thank you to the following:

• Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service for storing the urns, donating the outer burial container, and coordinating this effort.
• The City of Bozeman for donating the burial plot, opening, and closing of the grave site.
• Langhor’s Flowerland for donating the flower arrangements for the burial service.

For information about the graveside service or inquiries about the unclaimed urns, please contact Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service at 406-587-3184 or the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office at 406-582-2178.

– Dan Springer
Gallatin County Sheriff / Coroner

For immediate release: Nov. 22, 2024 

Media contact:
Eric Semerad, Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder/Election Administrator
406-582-3054
eric.semerad@gallatin.mt.gov
 

Candidate Requests Recount of Gallatin County Local Government Study Commission Election 

Gallatin County Elections Office will conduct a hand recount of the local government study commission race from the Nov. 5 federal election, following a request from a candidate. 

Election workers will review all 71,027 ballots cast in Gallatin County during this election to recount votes for the study commission race. The recount is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 25, starting at 8:30 AM in Exhibit Building No. 1 at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman. Gallatin County Commissioners will serve as the Recount Board, providing oversight for the process. The Recount Board will initially convene in the Community Room of the Gallatin County Courthouse at 8:30 AM and then immediately move the meeting to the Fairgrounds location. 

The race featured 22 candidates vying for seven positions on Gallatin County’s nonpartisan local government study commission. This commission will assess the county’s current structure, powers, and service delivery and propose any recommended changes. 

Candidate Rene Flynn, who finished eighth according to the unofficial final results, petitioned for the recount after trailing the seventh-place candidate, EJ Porth, by just 77 votes. Because the margin falls within one-quarter of 1% of the total votes cast for that race, Montana law allows for a recount. 

Candidates and their representatives are invited to observe the entire recount process. 

The cost of the recount will be covered by Gallatin County and is estimated to be about $17,000. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BELGRADE, Mont.–On November 13, 2024 at approximately 4:14pm, Belgrade Police Officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Mantle Drive in Belgrade, for a disturbance of unknown circumstances.  It was reported that a male subject had barricaded himself in a garage with a firearm.  As officers approached, the subject discharged several shots forcing the officers to take cover. The male subject then ran from his location and was taken into custody without further incident. One officer sustained minor injuries during the apprehension, however this was not related to the shots fired.  Several persons were detained for investigative purposes as Detectives continued to investigate the matter.  One person remains in custody pending criminal charges.  As this investigation is active and on-going,  no further information can be released at this time.  Any witnesses are urged to contact the Belgrade Police Department Detective Division at 406-388-4262.

 

For immediate release: Nov. 12, 2024

Media contact:
Meghan Hazer-Alvarez, Gallatin County Planning Department
406-582-3130
meghan.hazeralvarez@gallatin.mt.gov  

 

Upcoming Gallatin County Future Land Use Map & Housing Strategy Adoption Hearings 

After nearly a year of collaborative planning, the Gallatin County Planning Department is excited to announce that the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and Housing Strategy (HS) have entered the adoption phase. As these plans move forward, community members are encouraged to take part in the upcoming public meetings and share their input, helping shape the future of growth, development, and housing in Gallatin County.  

The County Growth Policy, adopted in 2021, set a vision to guide growth, development, and land use to protect quality of life and align with community goals. As a key action item in the Growth Policy’s “Implementation” chapter, the FLUM has been developed to fulfill this commitment. Proposed as an amendment to the Growth Policy, the FLUM offers a visual representation of how the written goals and policies are applied across Gallatin County. It will serve as a guide for future land use decisions and inform updates to the county’s regulations.  

Developed alongside the FLUM, the HS provides a menu of policy options for addressing the county’s affordable and attainable housing needs. While the FLUM is proposed as an amendment to the Growth Policy, the HS will be considered separately. However, the simultaneous development of these documents allowed for a cohesive approach, ensuring that insights from one plan informed the other. 

Both the FLUM and HS were shaped by public outreach. The first round of outreach in March 2024 helped inform the first drafts of the FLUM and HS. A second round of outreach in September 2024 gathered feedback on these drafts. Detailed summaries of both outreach efforts can be found on the Envision Gallatin project website. 

The adoption phase will span the next couple of months: 

• Planning Board hearing for FLUM: November 19 at 6 p.m. The Planning Board will review the FLUM and make recommendations to the County Commission. 

•  County Commission Hearing FLUM and the HS: November 26 at 9 a.m. The Commission will consider a resolution to adopt the HS, and a resolution indicating their intent to adopt the FLUM as an amendment to the Growth Policy.  

• County Commission Decision on FLUM Adoption: December 10 at 9 a.m. 

All hearings will be held at the Gallatin County Courthouse at 311 W. Main St. in the Community room on the third floor, with a virtual attendance option. Project materials, including how to participate virtually, will be posted publicly prior to each hearing on the Planning Board and Commission webpages. 

Public involvement has been key throughout the development of the FLUM and HS, and continued participation during the adoption phase is vital. Community members are encouraged to share their feedback during hearings. Verbal comments can be made at the hearings, and written comments are welcome before each meeting.  

Written public comment can be submitted to the Gallatin County Department of Planning and Community Development located in the County Courthouse at 311 W. Main Street, Room 108, Bozeman or to the project email, envision@gallatin.mt.gov  

For more information on the project and to review the latest drafts of the FLUM and HS, visit https://envisiongallatin.com. 

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For immediate release: Oct. 31, 2024

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer will be hosting a press conference to provide updates on the investigation into the homicide of Dustin Kjersem near Big Sky.

The press conference will be on Thursday, Oct. 31 at 3:30 PM MST in the community room of the Gallatin County Detention Center, located at 605 S. 16th Ave. in Bozeman (just behind the Law & Justice Center.) The press conference will also be streamed live and recorded on the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. 

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For immediate release: Oct. 30, 2024

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office has identified a suspect in the Moose Creek homicide. The suspect is currently in custody on unrelated charges. The suspect is cooperating with our detectives and has led us to the evidence we have identified in prior press releases.

The investigation into this homicide continues. It is believed the suspect acted alone and there is no longer a threat to the community. Further details and charges are forthcoming, but it is important for this community to know they are safe to resume their outdoor activities. The Sheriff’s Office will have no further comment in regard to this investigation until charges are filed.

I want to thank the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Detectives for their unrelenting pursuit of justice on this case. They have worked day and night for nearly three weeks with limited sleep, limited time with their families and limited time to themselves. They have prioritized the safety of this community and the need to locate Dustin Kjersem’s killer above all else. It is this type of dedication that makes the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and all law enforcement officers special. This community should be proud of the men and women who have chosen a life of service to keep you, your families, and your friends safe.

I would also like to thank the multiple other agencies who have dedicated their time and energy into this case. The Montana Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the Montana State Crime lab, the Montana Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole, the Medical Examiner’s office, the Montana Highway Patrol, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the U.S. Forest Service and Gallatin County Search and Rescue.

Our thoughts and prayer continue for the family of Dustin Kjersem. We hope, by some small measure, our efforts can bring them a bit of peace during this horrific time. Our entire community mourns with you.

– Sheriff Dan Springer

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For immediate release: Oct. 30, 2024

Media contact:
Buck Taylor, Fort Ellis Fire Deputy Chief
406-539-9358
btaylor@forellisfire.org

 

Firefighters Respond to Coffee Creek Road Blaze

At approximately 7 AM on Tuesday, Oct. 29, Fort Ellis Fire/Rescue, along with multiple mutual aid partners, responded to a chimney fire that had rapidly escalated on Coffee Creek Road east of Bozeman. Reports from the scene indicated that residents attempted to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher, but the blaze had grown beyond control.

Upon arrival, crews found flames penetrating the roof and consuming the second floor of the home. Confirming that all residents were safely out of the house, firefighters began an aggressive exterior attack to contain the blaze, as the compromised structure of the second floor and roof prevented interior entry. Despite significant damage to the home, an apartment above the garage remained unaffected, and the residents’ cat was safely rescued. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

In addition to Fort Ellis, the response team included personnel from Bozeman Fire, Hyalite Fire, Central Valley Fire, Amsterdam Fire, AMR Ambulance, and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office. This collaborative effort helped manage the incident and prevent further spread.

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Photo courtesy of Fort Ellis Fire/Rescue

For immediate release: Oct. 24, 2024

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the homicide of Dustin Kjersem. We appreciate the information that has been provided by the community and multiple leads are being investigated.

In addition to the information previously provided, we are asking you to be on the lookout for the following items that are believed to have been removed from the scene of the crime:

• Estwing camp axe, blue and silver, likely with a 26” handle (see photo)
• Remington 11-87 12ga shotgun, wood stock
• Ruger Blackhawk .44mag revolver, blued 4 5/8” barrel, wood grips
• Orange YETI brand cooler – Tundra 45 (see photo)

Anyone with information regarding the incident or the items listed is asked to contact the GCSO Detectives Division at 406-582-2121 or by email at detectives@gallatin.mt.gov. If the information is exigent, please contact GCSO dispatch at 406-582-2100 and request to speak with a deputy.

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For immediate release: Oct. 21, 2024

Media contact:
Cola Rowley, Gallatin County Deputy County Administrator
406-582-3047
cola.rowley@gallatin.mt.gov

 

Gallatin County Secures Over $3.6 Million in New Funding to Enhance Behavioral Health Services

Gallatin County is excited to announce over $3.6 million in new funding to strengthen the area’s behavioral health services.

The county will receive nearly $2.1 million from the State of Montana’s Crisis Diversion grant to support mental health interventions, with funds allocated to key partners for the following items:

• Help Center/211 – a resource specialist, care coordination, and training on suicide intervention
• HRDC – care coordination and a SOAR specialist who helps people get enrolled in benefits such as Social Security Disability
• Bozeman Health – care coordination for two years
• Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office – Crisis Intervention Team sergeant
• Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition – coalition coordinator

The county is also awaiting notice of funding from the State of Montana’s Crisis Diversion grant to go towards the capital costs of a stabilization unit for individuals in mental health crisis.

“We’re excited to continue investing in our expanding behavioral health services and to build a comprehensive system of prevention, intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Our goal is simple: ensuring every community member gets the right service, in the right place, every time,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown. “We are by no means out of the woods as a community, and there is so much more work left to do to build a functional safety net for our neighbors who are struggling. But these are tangible steps in the right direction that will save lives.”

Additionally, $1.5 million has been awarded from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program. The AOT program will provide a community-based alternative to state hospital commitments, serving adults with serious mental illnesses. The AOT program will create a multi-disciplinary, evidence-based approach to reduce the number of Montana State Hospital commitments, incarceration, and criminal justice system interactions, while improving the health and social outcomes for adults with serious mental illness.

“This grant represents a major step forward in our commitment to assist our neighbors struggling with serious mental illnesses. By improving our community-based services, we aim to offer better alternatives to state hospital commitments, reduce unnecessary incarcerations, and minimize interactions with the criminal justice system,” said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. “This funding will enable us to build a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach that not only addresses the immediate health needs but also improves overall social outcomes for those we serve. We are committed to transforming the lives of our most vulnerable residents through this innovative, multi-disciplinary approach.”

Clare Mack, Managing Attorney with the Office of the State Public Defender, said, “Lack of mental health resources is a societal epidemic, and Gallatin County is no exception. This grant will help us to meet the needs of our community members in a tangible, immediate way. By offering community-based mental health services as an alternative to incarceration or state hospital commitments, we empower our most vulnerable neighbors to seek and maintain treatment for their mental health disorders in the safety of their homes, with the support of their family, friends, and community.”

Lastly, the Gallatin County Metro Region opioid board has submitted requests for national opioid settlement funds, including $400,000 to support HRDC’s housing services for individuals in recovery and $137,280 for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) at Community Medical Services: $71,280 of which is for general MAT and $39,600 specific to long-acting Buprenorphine.

These exciting developments build upon years of community collaboration to improve behavioral health services for all residents of Gallatin County and the region, including recent projects like the purchase of the Youth Behavioral Health Campus and Bozeman Health’s adult psychiatric inpatient unit with a planned opening in 2025.

“We are making meaningful progress in expanding behavioral health services across the continuum for adults and youth,” said Kirsten Smith, Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition Coordinator. “By leveraging local, state, federal, and philanthropic funding, we will be better able to address the critical behavioral health needs of our community. Our success in accessing new funding resources is a testament to the collaboration among our community partners—together, we are achieving more than we could accomplish on our own.”

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