Gallatin Media Center

On June 14, 2013, Sheriff Brian Gootkin became the 85th President of the Montana Sheriff’s and Peace Officer’s Association.  His term will be one year and the annual conference will be held in Bozeman in June of 2014.

On June 12, 2013, the Big Sky Resort Tax Board (BSRTB) voted to fund an additional Big Sky resident deputy sheriff.  The approved amount was for $ 288,201.  This position will be specifically assigned as a part time School Resource Deputy for Ophir school and a part time Detective.  The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the members of the BSRTB and citizens that supported this effort.  Here is the breakdown of funding sources for the six Big Sky positions.

Gallatin County – 2

Madison County – 2

Big Sky Resort Tax – 2

Brian M. Gootkin

Sheriff Brian M. Gootkin
Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office
615 South 16th
Bozeman, MT  59715
(406) 582-2125
Fax    582-2126

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a training for Taser instructors. On Friday, June 14^th, we would like to invite any member of the media to observe the scenario portion of the training. This will be conducted between 1:00pm and 3:00pm at the Gallatin County Detention Center.

Members of the Bozeman-area fire management community would like to invite the media to discuss the upcoming fire season, seasonal weather forecasts, fire information and fire management policy, and how the agencies and the media can better serve each other as we move into another fire season.

Representatives from the National Weather Service, Gallatin County, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Park County, the State of Montana, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service will be on hand to present information and answer questions.

Topics include: social media platforms and other sources of information during incidents, agency jurisdictions and interagency cooperation, fire restrictions, safety equipment media need to visit a fire, how firefighters are preparing for this season, what the public can do to prepare, as well as an opportunity for media to deploy a fire shelter, try on a pack vest, and interview fire managers.

The media day will take place from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm on Friday, June 28 at the U.S. Forest Service Bozeman Ranger District office, 3710 Fallon Street, Suite C.

Please RSVP with me if you would like to participate so we can plan accordingly, and don’t hesitate to call with any questions.

Thanks, Patrick

Patrick Lair
Acting Public Affairs Officer
Custer and Gallatin National Forests
Office (406) 587-6703

(Bozeman, Mont.)  Tuesday at 12:14 p.m. the Livingston 911 center relayed a Back Country Rescue Call to Gallatin County.  A 27 year old male skier had collapsed during a climb near Ainger Lake (named for Fred Ainger a Forest Service Ranger in the Bridgers from 1906-1950) in the northern Bridger Mountains 8 miles north of the Bridger Bowl Ski Area.  Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Units were dispatched to the area by ground and started into the lake by foot and specialized ATVs.   By 1:11 p.m., after finding a safe route through the clouds, a paramedic from Summit Air Ambulance was able to reach the patient.  After moving him to the landing zone he was on his way to the hospital by 1:38 p.m.  One of the party of 3 skiers had medical training and they were able to get cell service to make the 911 call. 

Sheriff Gootkin stated that going into the back country with a partner(s) and a method of commuication can mean the difference between surviving and not.  Late season skiing brings risks that should be accounted for when you plan on going out.  File photo courtesy of Sheriff’s Office. #####

Contact:  Patrick Lonergan, (406) 582-2395

Bozeman, MT – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released a series of public service announcements explaining the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messages.  The relatively new WEA alerts have been activated several times in the past couple months in Montana for AMBER Alerts catching many people off guard.  Gallatin County Emergency Management is encouraging local media outlets to utilize the Ad Council PSAs to help educate our community on this new technology. The PSAs are available on the Ad Council website at http://bit.ly/11R0A6i.  For more information on WEA here in Gallatin County, please visit our blog at http://bit.ly/11mfJdY.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 29, Wade Christiansen was stopped by a Bozeman Police Officer for a traffic offense.  He ultimately exited the vehicle he was driving with a handgun and fatally shot himself.  The death was investigated by the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office.  Despite the incident being videotaped by more than one officer on scene, the suicide determination was corroborated by a forensic examination at the State Crime Lab.

  On May 23^rd, at approximately 0800 hours, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stolen vehicle from a business located near Hulbert road and Jackrabbit. The vehicle was located on Rocky Mountain Road in the northern portion of Gallatin County. A pursuit of the vehicle ensued and ultimately the stolen vehicle left the roadway and drove across an area where patrol cars were unable to follow.

  A second vehicle was reported stolen at a residence near this location and a pursuit ensued again. This time the vehicle drove off the East Frontage road near Belgrade, over the railroad tracks and onto Interstate 90. Once again the deputies pursuing the vehicle were unable to follow given the barriers between them and the vehicle.

  At approximately 0930 hours, the Sheriff’s Office responded to Business Hub road. The second stolen vehicle was located in the area and it was determined that a third vehicle had been stolen.

  The Sheriff’s Office is looking for a White GMC extended cab truck with a diamond plate tool box in the back. The Montana centennial license plate number is BAP 270. If anyone sees this vehicle, do not approach but contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s office at 582-2100 or call 911.

It’s a Sad Day in Belgrade,

Thursday evening May 16, 2013 Belgrade City Manager Joe Menicucci passed away in Billings after being hospitalized for several months.

After serving the City of Polson. Mr. Menicucci relocated to Belgrade in 1990 as City Manger of Belgrade, a position he held for almost 23 years.

His dedication, knowledge, and commitment to this community will be greatly missed.

Our prayers and thoughts are with his family and city staff.

Mayor Russ Nelson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- MAY 16, 2013

Belgrade, MT- The Belgrade Police Department has received information about a scam in which the caller, claiming to be a representative of the Belgrade Police Department, is contacting citizens via telephone and attempting to solicit donations for the police department.  The Belgrade Police Department IS NOT soliciting donations for the department and when raising money for charitable organizations, such as the Special Olympics, does not do so by telephone.  This is a scam and any funds or personal information given to these callers will not benefit the police department or any other charitable causes. These calls are being placed through VoIP (spoofed telephone numbers) and to date, we have received reports of this activity from as far away as Great Falls, MT.

The Belgrade Police Department would like to urge citizens to use extreme caution when contacted by telephone solicitors. Please do not provide solicitors with any personal, bank account or credit card information. If you have any questions as to the validity of a call, obtain a return telephone number and name from the solicitor, and contact your local law enforcement agency.

Contact: Sgt. Dustin Lensing, Belgrade Police Department, 406-388-4262