Gallatin Media Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

10-15-26

In the late afternoon hours of Wednesday, October 14th, 2026, the Bozeman Police Department, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, and Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a homicide that occurred at 2504 West Main Street in Bozeman. The victim has been identified as 50-year-old Shelli Waltemath of Gallatin Gateway. Shelli was pronounced deceased at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect, initially at large, was later found deceased. The investigation is on-going by the Bozeman Police Department.

Shelli’s death is a tragedy and our deepest condolences go out to her family and friends during this extremely difficult time.

__________________________________

Dan Springer, Gallatin County Sheriff 

For Immediate Release: October 13, 2026

This fall, the Gallatin City-County Health Department is offering several easy ways for community members to get their flu and COVID‑19 vaccines. Walkins are welcome at all clinics, but making an appointment ahead of time helps make the visit as convenient as possible. Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available at every clinic listed below.  

• A community vaccination event will take place on Thursday, October 22, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Exhibit Hall #1.  

• Weekly vaccine clinics will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on most Fridays throughout October and November at the Gallatin City-County Health Department’s temporary location, 400 E. Babcock Street in Bozeman. Clinics are scheduled for October 2, 9, 16, and 23, as well as November 6 and 13.  

Click here to read the full press release. 

For immediate release: September 16, 2026

Media Contact:
Eric Semerad, Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder/Elections Administrator
eric.semerad@gallatin.mt.gov
(406)582-3060

Gallatin County Elections is launching texting services for voters on September 24, 2026

On September 24, some Gallatin County mobile users may receive a text message from Gallatin County Elections Department’s TextMyGov number 80949 inviting them to opt in for official notifications directly from our office.

Voters can opt-in to these optional text services to up to receive helpful election updates, including:

• Voter registration deadlines
• Ballot information
• Polling place details
• Election Day reminders

Voters who did not automatically receive an opt-in text may text “GallatinVotes” to 80949 to sign up. Voters who receive this message may also choose to text “STOP” at any time to remove their number from the notifications group.

Learn more about the service and its terms at TextMyGov’s opt-in terms and conditions.

Contact the Gallatin County Elections at gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov or (406) 582-3060 with any questions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In the early morning hours of Friday, September 11, 2026, the Montana Highway Patrol, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Belgrade Police Department and Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a fatal single vehicle rollover crash near the intersection of Frontage Road and Ali John Drive in Belgrade. The driver of the vehicle, identified as 49-year-old Rikki Cirignano of Rockland, Massachusetts, was traveling westbound on Frontage Road when the vehicle left the roadway and rolled. Rikki was pronounced deceased on scene. A passenger in the vehicle was transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Rikki Cirignano during this time.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In the late hours of Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the Montana Highway Patrol, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, and Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a fatal crash between a motorcyclist and an SUV that occurred near the intersection of Jackrabbit Lane and Durston Road near Four Corners. The driver of the motorcycle, identified as 76-year-old Dana Lentz of Three Forks, was traveling northbound on Jackrabbit Lane when an SUV traveling eastbound on Durston Road struck him as they crossed Jackrabbit Lane. Dana was transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. Following the investigation, the driver of the SUV was arrested and held in the Gallatin County Detention Center on multiple charges.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dana Lentz during this time.

For Immediate Release: September 1, 2026

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) persist on different areas of Hebgen Reservoir. This could possibly be due to winds pushing algae from one side of the reservoir to the other. No matter the reason, please be aware there continues to be toxic algae present in these areas, and conditions seem to be changing from day to day. NorthWestern Energy is monitoring these blooms and will provide updates if additional restrictions are implemented for public safety.  

Read the full press release here.

While Hebgen Reservoir is monitored regularly, it is very important to remain vigilant with yourself and your pets, when in doubt, stay out! 

The most recent update for ongoing samples is as follows: 

⚠️ Rainbow Point – was a Closure, has been downgraded to Caution. 

⚠️ Corey Springs – was at Closure, has been downgraded to Caution. 

🚫 Yellowstone Holiday (Grayling Arm) – was at Caution, has now been upgraded to Closure. 

For Immediate Release: August 28, 2026

In the early morning hours of Thursday, August 28, 2026, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with Montana Highway Patrol investigated a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a single motor vehicle near Mile Marker 54 on Highway 191 in the Gallatin Canyon. A vehicle was traveling northbound on Highway 191 when it left the roadway and impacted a tree. The driver was transported to the Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The driver was identified as 23-year-old Samuel Hale of Bozeman. Cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries, and the manner was ruled accidental. Speed is suspected to have played a factor in the accident.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Samuel Hale during this time.

__________________________________

Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner

For Immediate Release: August 21, 2026

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) persist on different areas of Hebgen Reservoir. Currently, the toxin levels at Corey Springs area have increased, and that area is now closed for water-based activities because toxin levels are high. Closure signs will be posted at public access points in the Corey Springs area warning the public that toxic algae has been identified in the water, and that the area is closed to water-based activities.  

The Rainbow Point shoreline also remains closed due to high toxin levels during regular sampling. The Yellowstone Holiday area toxins have dissipated, and it has been downgraded to a warning. Caution is still strongly encouraged wherever toxic algae is present.    

Read the full press release here. 

When in doubt, stay out! You can’t tell for sure if an algal or cyanobacterial bloom is harmful just by looking at it. Protect yourself, your family, and your pets by not swimming in bodies of water that smell bad or look discolored. Children and pets are more likely to ingest HAB infested water because they spend most of their time wading in the shallow waters where algae can accumulate and they have less control over how much water they ingest. 

For Immediate Release: August 14, 2026

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) has been detected in the Yellowstone Holiday area of Hebgen Reservoir, and that area is closed for water-based activities because toxin levels are high. Routine monitoring of Hebgen shows the water contains anatoxin-a, a toxin made by certain algae that can make people, pets, and livestock very sick. The latest sample results measured twice the closure threshold, so the shoreline is being closed. New samples will be taken on Monday, and the closure will be reevaluated once those results are available. 

Read the full press release here.

Closure signs will be posted at public access points in the Yellowstone Holiday area warning the public that toxic algae has been identified in the water in these areas, and that the area is closed to water-based activities.  

Rainbow Point shoreline also remains closed due to increasing toxin levels during regular sampling. Corey Springs and Savage Bay have blooms that are being monitored for toxins, but levels remain low. Caution is still encouraged wherever toxic algae is present.    

For Immediate Release: July 30, 2026

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) has been detected in the Rainbow Point area of Hebgen Reservoir, and that area is closed for water-based activities because toxin levels are high. Routine monitoring of Hebgen shows the water contains anatoxin-a, a toxin made by certain algae that can make people, pets, and livestock very sick. Other parts of the reservoir are also being monitored, but those areas currently have lower toxin levels and remain open.  

Read the full press release here. 

Toxin exposure can occur in humans from recreational activities where water might be ingested such as swimming, wind surfing, jet skiing, and water skiing. Children and pets are more likely to ingest HAB infested water because they spend most of their time wading in the shallow waters where algae can accumulate and they have less control over how much water they ingest. Animals and livestock that drink large amounts of contaminated water, and pets that collect scum on their fur and then ingest it by licking, are at high risk of toxin exposure.