Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: April 29, 2024 

Media contacts:

Jake Simpson, Sr. Director Bozeman Yellowstone Int’l Airport
406-388-8321 Ext 280
Jake.Simpson@bozemanairport.com 

 Kevin Larsen, Gallatin County Emergency Management Operations & Training Manager
406-548-0111
kevin@readygallatin.com
 

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Local Emergency Responders to Conduct Full-Scale Aircraft Accident Exercise on May 4 

*Reporters are invited to cover the training on Saturday, May 4. If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to michaela.borovac@bozemanairport.com by Thursday, May 2. Once you RSVP, detailed directions will be emailed to you.* 

On Saturday, May 4, 2024, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in conjunction with Gallatin County Emergency Management will conduct a full-scale aircraft disaster exercise on airport grounds. 

This exercise will test on-scene coordination between the airport, airline, hospital and emergency response personnel from across the Gallatin Valley. It is another opportunity for these agencies to collaborate to improve emergency plans and response protocols, all for the benefit of our county’s residents and visitors. 

Multiple agencies, business and organizations partner with airport staff for this exercise, including Bozeman Health, Central Valley Fire District, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Gallatin County 911, Hyalite Fire District, Salvation Army, Red Cross and numerous others.  

Due to this exercise, from 10 AM to 2 PM on May 4, folks will see an increased presence of emergency response vehicles at the airport. These will be for exercise purposes only and will not impact airline or air traffic at the airport. Please do not call 911 to report.  

“This exercise gives us the opportunity to test and revise our airport emergency plans as we continue to grow, not only as an airport, but also as a community,” said Jake Simpson, BZN Senior Director of Operations and Maintenance. “We rely heavily on our partnerships in Gallatin County when it comes to large scale emergencies and this exercise lets us strengthen those relationships.”  

Kevin Larsen, Gallatin County Emergency Management’s operations and training manager added: “Gallatin County Emergency Management strives to maintain a prepared and resistant community, and to support coordinated interagency responses to incidents and events throughout our county. This exercise is a great way to test plans, improve communications at numerous levels, build capability, and challenge assumptions. Collaboration with our emergency response partners builds community resiliency, and better prepares us to face a variety of disasters, both natural and man-made.”  

The exercise also meets the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirement for the airport to conduct a full-scale emergency exercise every three years in addition to annual table-top drills. 

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For immediate release: April 24, 2024 

Media contact:
Sean O’Callaghan, Gallatin County Planning Director/Open Lands Coordinator
406-582-3130
sean.ocallaghan@gallatin.mt.gov 

Gallatin County Commission Approves Funding for Public Open Lands Projects 

The Gallatin County Commission approved using Open Lands Program money to help fund nine projects that support open space in Bozeman, Three Forks, West Yellowstone, Big Sky, Bridger Canyon and waterways across the Gallatin Valley.  

On Tuesday, April 23, commissioners voted unanimously to spend $648,158 to provide funding to a wide range of projects.  

One of the funded projects was the Headwaters Trail System, which is a network of about 12 miles of paved trails that runs along the former Milwaukee Railroad bed through the city of Three Forks. The $100,000 from Gallatin County will go toward maintaining over four miles of trail in three different sections: from the Madison River pedestrian bridge east to where the trail terminates; from the Drouillard Fishing Access site to Kansas Street in Three Forks; and from Hickory Street south to the baseball fields.  

The other eight projects funded include: 

• Big Sky Owners Association – Little Coyote Pond Fishing Access and amenities – $100,000 
• Gallatin River Task Force – Greek Creek streambank restoration and river access improvement project – $50,000 
• Gallatin Watershed Council – Cleanup of streams and rivers in the Lower Gallatin Watershed – $10,308 
• Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter – Improvements at Maxi Park, an 18-acre off-leash dog park at the shelter – $17,850 
• Trout Unlimited – Third phase of the Dry Creek restoration project that would restore 14 additional stream banks – $50,000 
• West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation – construction of the Rendezvous Operations Building to serve as a base for the Rendezvous Trail System – $100,000 
• Crosscut Mountain Sports Center – construction of 3 kilometers of paved trail for roller-skiing – $100,000 
• Gallatin County Regional Park – construction of a 1,200 square-foot shop to store park supplies and equipment, and a connecting trail to the park and an asphalt walkway along Vaquero Parkway – $100,000 

“This is a really fun exercise to be reminded of all the great work that’s happening out there in the community in providing conservation and recreation infrastructure across the county,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown. “They all add incredible richness and value to our communities.” 

Money for these projects come from the voter-approved Gallatin County Open Space Levy, which was passed in 2018. This year, there is about $3.5 million available total in the program. 

While a majority of that money funds conservation projects, such as conservation easements for private landowners, about $887,000 was earmarked by the Gallatin County Commission for “other eligible projects.” These projects must be released to land acquisition, capital improvements, and maintenance projects that support the purpose of the Open Space Levy. Money left over from this round of applications will be rolled over to next year’s pool of funds. 

Nine applications were received during the application period earlier this year. The Open Lands Board scored the submitted proposals and made recommendations to the Gallatin County Commission.  

More information on each project, including applications and scoring, can be found attached to the commission’s agenda here. 

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For immediate release: April 24, 2024 

Media contact:
Sandy Erhardt, Gallatin County Clerk of District Court
406-582-2165
serhardt@mt.gov 

Gallatin County District Court Sending Postcards to Potential Jurors for 2024-2025 Term 

Next week, residents of Gallatin County who have been selected to serve in the upcoming jury term for Gallatin County District Court will receive official notifications regarding their selection. These individuals will be kindly asked to promptly complete a related questionnaire.  

The Clerk of District Court’s Office will send out roughly 8,500 notices to residents who were randomly chosen to be a part of District Court’s upcoming jury term, which runs from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Names are drawn from a combined list of Montana registered voters, Montana licenses drivers, and holders of Montana identification cards. 

District Court’s jurisdiction spans a diverse array of legal matters including criminal cases (primarily felonies), civil matters with over $12,000 damages, domestic relations, juvenile, probate, mental health, water cases, and appeals from Justice Court, Municipal Court, and administrative agencies. 

It is important to note that recipients of these notifications are not being summoned for a specific jury trial at this time. Rather, they are being informed of their potential eligibility for jury duty during the year-long term. 

It is essential for selected residents to promptly respond to these notices by completing the accompanying juror questionnaire within 10 days of receipt. Failure to do so may result in a personal visit from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, tasked with delivering questionnaires to non-responsive individuals. Such an undertaking places undue strain on our law enforcement resources, leading to potential delays in trials and impeding the timely administration of justice. 

“Ensuring the timely completion of juror questionnaires is vital for the smooth functioning of our judicial system. By promptly returning these forms, residents play a crucial role in upholding the integrity of our courts,” said Sandy Erhardt, Gallatin County Clerk of District Court. 

Recipients have multiple convenient options for completing their questionnaires: 

• Scan the QR code on the front of the postcard with a smartphone and fill out the questionnaire online 
• Visit https://mt.access.gov.com/gallatin-county and fill out the questionnaire online 
• Get a paper copy of the questionnaire by calling Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s office at 406-582-2168, emailing gallatindcjury@mt.gov, or stopping by in person at the Law and Justice Center at 615 S. 16th Ave., room 302 in Bozeman 

All postcards will include these detailed instructions. If you have questions, please call the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s Office at 406-582-2168 or email gallatindcjury@mt.gov.  

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For immediate release: April 23, 2024 

Media contact:
Ellie Martin, Routefinder Consulting
ellie@routefinderconsulting.com 

 “Salons and Saloons” Invites Hospitality, Hair Professionals to Conversation About Mental Health 

In an effort to address the critical issue of mental health, the Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition and the Gallatin County Mental Health Local Advisory Council are proud to announce “Salons and Saloons,” a community event aimed at initiating dialogue and providing support for local servers, bartenders, barbers, stylists, and other hospitality and hair professionals. 

Scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, from 9 to 10:30 AM at the Emerson Center Ballroom (111 S. Grand Ave. in Bozeman), “Salons and Saloons” will serve as a platform for service workers to engage in crucial conversations surrounding mental health within our community. 

Ellie Martin of Routefinder Consulting underscored the significance of the event, stating, “Service workers play a vital role in our community, often acting as confidants and supporters for their patrons. ‘Salons and Saloons’ aims to recognize their invaluable contributions while providing them with the resources and support needed to navigate mental health challenges effectively.” 

The event will offer attendees the opportunity to: 

• Acknowledge the vital role of service workers as supporters, listeners, and caring connectors to their customers. 
• Share essential information and resources for assisting individuals in distress. 
• Facilitate open dialogue to better understand the needs and concerns of service workers when assisting patrons with mental health issues.
   

Complimentary coffee and baked goods will be provided. 

People interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP at this link. For further inquiries, please contact ellie@routefinderconsulting.com. 

“Salons and Saloons” aims to help foster a supportive and empathetic community, where every individual, regardless of their profession, feels valued and supported in their mental health journey. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

BELGRADE, Mont. –On April 19th, 2024, at approximately 11:38pm,  Belgrade Police Officers were dispatched to the 800 Block of Mantle Drive as a result of an open 911 line.  Upon arrival, Officers discovered an adult male victim who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.  The victim was transported to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital for life saving treatment, but succumbed to his injuries.  The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Belgrade Police Detectives are actively investigating the incident and an adult male suspect has been taken into custody.  This appears to be an isolated incident and there is no danger to the community.  Any witnesses to this incident are urged to contact the Belgrade Police Department Detective Division at 406-388-4262.  Assistance was provided by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, the Central Valley Fire District, and the Bozeman Police Department. As this is an open and active investigation, no further comments will be available at this time.

For immediate release: April 19, 2024 

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

Ballots for School and Special Districts Election to be Mailed April 19 

On Friday, April 19, ballots for the 2024 school and special districts election on May 7 will be mailed to active registered voters in districts that are holding elections. This election is a mail ballot election, meaning there will be no polling places open on Election Day. 

Those districts include the following: 

• Schools: 

• Amsterdam 
• Bozeman – High School 
• Bozeman – Elementary School 
• Belgrade 
• Big Sky 
• Cottonwood 
• Lamotte 
• Monforton 
• Three Forks 
• West Yellowstone 

• Special Districts: 

• Big Sky Resort Tax District 
• Big Sky Water & Sewer District 
• Firelight Meadows Water & Sewer District 
• Hebgen Basin Hospital District 

In total, more than 65,000 ballots will be mailed. Voters can expect their ballots to arrive next week. Sample ballots can be found here. If your ballot is destroyed, spoiled, lost, or not received, you may request a replacement ballot no later than 8 PM on Election Day. 

Ballots must be received at the Gallatin County Elections Office or a designated place of deposit by 8 PM on Election Day. Ballots may be returned by mail or in person. If you opt to mail your ballot back, mail it no later than Tuesday, April 30 to ensure it arrives on time. Ballots postmarked on or before Election Day but received after Election Day cannot be accepted. You can check your ballot status at www.MyVoterPageMT.com. 

Places of deposit for this election are: 

• Gallatin County Elections Office
  311 W. Main St., room 210, Bozeman 
• Belgrade School District administration office
  312 N. Weaver St. 
• Big Sky Water & Sewer District office
  561 Little Coyote Rd. 
• Monforton School – front office
  6001 Monforton School Rd. 
• Three Forks High School office
  210 E. Neal St. 

Voters in any district can drop their ballots off at any of these locations. All locations are open during their regular business hours Monday through Friday until Monday, May 6, and then from 7 AM to 8 PM on Election Day on Tuesday, May 7. 

As with all mail-ballot elections, those who would like to vote in-person may do so at the Gallatin County Elections Office, located at the Courthouse at 311 W. Main St., room 210, in Bozeman.  

For questions on specific school district ballot measures or candidates, please contact your school district directly. 

Voter Registration 

Gallatin County is currently in the late registration period for the May 7 election. This means that if you need to register to vote or update your registration if you’ve moved or changed your name, you must appear in person at the Gallatin County Elections office to get that done. 

You can do so now through Election Day. Please note there is one short registration closure from noon on May 6 until 7 AM on Election Day. It is then available until 8 PM on Election Day. 

Double check your registration status at www.MyVoterPageMT.com.  

If you have other questions, please contact our office at gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-582-3060. For more information, you can also visit www.GallatinVotes.com. 

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For Immediate Release

In the afternoon hours of Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with Montana Highway Patrol, the Belgrade Police Department, and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred near the intersection of Jackrabbit Lane and Floss Flats Road.

One driver, 49-year-old Julio Esparza Lopez of Belgrade, was transported to the Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. His cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries of the chest and the manner was ruled an accident. Montana Highway Patrol and Belgrade Police are investigating the cause of the motor vehicle accident.

Sheriff Springer reminds motorists, as traffic continues to increase in our area, it becomes even more important to be a defensive driver, pay attention to other motorists and obey all traffic laws.

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Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024 Gallatin County 911 received a call from a stranded snowmobiler near Big Bear Lake in the Little Bear area of Gallatin Canyon. The Snowmobiler reported that they were stuck and needed assistance getting out of the back country.

Gallatin County Search and rescue Volunteers from the valley responded to Little Bear with snowmobiles and over snow vehicles to assist the stranded snowmobiler. Three Search and Rescue teams deployed to the area and were able to locate the stranded snowmobiler near Big Bear lake. The snowmobiler was extricated from the backcountry without further incident.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind everyone that even a quick trip into the backcountry could end with being stranded. Always bring extra food, water, and safety gear to insure you are safe on your adventures.

For immediate release: April 17, 2024

Media contact:
Hali Kapperud, Gallatin County DUI Task Force Coordinator
406-585-1492
hali.kapperud@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County DUI Task Force Law Enforcement Award Ceremony

The Gallatin County DUI Task Force is hosting the annual Law Enforcement Award Ceremony on Wednesday, April 17 at 6 PM in the Gallatin County Courthouse Community Room at 311 W. Main St. in Bozeman. The top law enforcement officers from each agency with jurisdiction in Gallatin County will be recognized for their efforts and contributions to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of those people who made the decision to drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs in 2023. The award ceremony is open to the public.

The Gallatin County DUI Task Force is a group of volunteers who are passionate about helping to reduce the incidence of driving under the influence, DUI crashes and deaths related to those committing DUIs. The Task Force works to increase the awareness of the dangers, implications, and severity of DUIs through education and civic outreach.

For questions regarding the award ceremony or the DUI Task Force, please contact the DUI Task Force Coordinator at hali.kapperud@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-585-1492.

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For immediate release: April 16, 2024 

Media contacts:

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

Lacy Clark, Bozeman School District Director of Business Services/District Clerk
406-522-6045
lacy.clark@bsd7.org 

Printing Error on Bozeman Elementary School District Ballot 

School and special district ballots will be mailed to Gallatin County voters on Friday, April 19. Included in those ballots will be Bozeman Elementary and High School District trustee races. 

The uncontested Bozeman High School District trustee race was accidentally included on Bozeman Elementary School District ballots. Elementary District voters do not vote on the school district’s position designated as the high school trustee since that position is elected to represent the rural schools of the high school district. 

All voters in the Bozeman School District will see this high school race on the ballot with filed candidate Sandra Wilson and a write-in line on all ballots, even those in the Bozeman Elementary District, who would not normally vote on this position. Sandra Wilson is the only filed candidate, is running unopposed and will be elected regardless. There are no filed write-in candidates for this election, which means that write-in names will not be tallied this election.  

Elections results can be certified accurately by separating erroneous votes for this race to provide proper totals. 

Over 35,000 ballots had already been printed and prepped for mailing by the time the error was discovered. Therefore, both Gallatin County Elections and the Bozeman School District decided to move forward with the error on the ballot because it was too late to reprint them and ensure that voters receive their ballots in a timely manner. 

This error will not affect the outcome of the election in any way. 

We apologize for any confusion for the voters in the Bozeman School District.  

The May 7 school and special district election is mail-ballot election. Active registered voters who live in districts that are holding elections will receive their ballots this weekend or early next week. Ballots must be returned by 8 PM on Election Day on Tuesday, May 7. 

For more information on this election, visit www.GallatinVotes.com.  

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