For immediate release: February 12, 2024
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2/12/24: Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Phone Scams
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office has received dozens of reports in recent weeks of a jury duty phone scam making the rounds. The caller claims that the person missed jury duty and that there is a warrant for their arrest, but they can post a fine or bail to take care of it.If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately. Do not agree to their request of payment. The Sheriff’s Office does not conduct business in this manner. We would never request any kind of payment via the phone. -
Cabin Creek Injured Snowmobiler
On February 10, 2024, at 2:34pm, West Yellowstone Police Department Dispatch received a 911 call from a snowmobiler who was recreating with a friend when their group was flagged down by a snowmobiler who had sustained serious injuries. The caller indicated the injured snowmobiler was unable to ride their snowmobile out and was in need of immediate medical treatment near Cabin Creek, 17.5 miles north of West Yellowstone, Montana.
Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the West Yellowstone detachment, GCSSAR Big Sky detachment, Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District, and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the request for aid. The GCSSAR team members, along with law enforcement, communicated with the initial caller over cell phone to establish critical details leading to how best to serve the injured individual. Due to the remote backcountry location of the victim, it was determined the best and most efficient way for responders to assist would be through utilization of a helicopter. Billings Clinic Medical Flight Team was dispatched to assist with the rescue. Quick-reaction teams from GCSSAR West Yellowstone and Big Sky also responded with snowmobiles and a specialized snowmobile towed ambulance. The victim was air lifted from the remote backcountry location in Cabin Creek to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment.
Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the passerby snowmobilers whose quick action, effective communication, and GPS capabilities allowed the proper resources to be dispatched to ensure a hasty and efficient response from rescue teams.
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Rendezvous Trail Cross-Country Skier Injury
On February 9, 2024, at 12:12pm, West Yellowstone Police Department Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a cross-county skier who had encountered a fellow skier who had injured their leg and lost consciousness for an unknown amount of time. The caller indicated that the skier was in need of immediate medical treatment near Jerry’s Journey on the Rendezvous Ski Trail, 2 miles south of West Yellowstone, Montana.
Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the West Yellowstone detachment, Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District (HBRFD), and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the request for aid. The GCSSAR team members established due to groomed snow conditions and the injured skier’s location on the Rendezvous Ski Trail, a tracked four-wheeler and a snowmobile response would serve the patient best. GCSSAR members arrived on scene and assisted the patient. The patient was transported from the scene of the accident by a specialized tracked four-wheeler towed ambulance to a waiting HBRFD ambulance for further evaluation. The injured skier declined further medical treatment and was released after being evaluated.
Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the passerby skiers who provided detailed information pertaining to the location and extent of the skier’s injuries and waited with the injured skier until emergency services arrived on scene. Sheriff Springer would like to remind outdoor recreationists that having the proper equipment to establish location and contact emergency services leads to the quickest and most efficient response from emergency personnel.
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Gallatin County Fairgrounds Hosting Community Visioning Open House
For immediate release: Feb. 9, 2024
Media contact:
Caitlin Quisenberry, Fairgrounds Director
406-582-3270
caitlin.quisenberry@gallatin.mt.govGallatin County Fairgrounds Hosting Community Visioning Open House
As a central, multi-purpose space that our community has used to gather for over 100 years, the Gallatin County Fairgrounds is an important cultural destination and asset for our region. In order to continue holding that honored space in the lives of our community, we’re embarking on a community visioning and master planning process to understand how to best update and utilize this space in perpetuity.
Join us for the Gallatin County Fairgrounds community visioning open house on Thursday, Feb. 29. The event will be from 5-7 PM at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds (901 N. Black Ave. in Bozeman) in Exhibit Building 4. Light refreshments will be served!
This is a first step in the planning process and will focus on understanding the public’s diverse perspectives related to existing strengths, challenges and experiences at the fairgrounds, as well as needs and ideas for the future.
Questions? Contact Caitlin Quisenberry, fairgrounds director, at caitlin.quisenberry@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-582-3270.
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2-7-24: SHERIFF’S OFFICE UPDATE BIG SKY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RECOVERED
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office reports on February 7, 2024, the missing medical items from Big Sky Resort were located. A third-party shipping company at the resort for an unrelated event, mistakenly repackaged all the items and transported them to a warehouse in the Gallatin Valley. Due to the repackaging none of the items were observed being moved out of the facility on security cameras. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public and businesses who assisted in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.
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2-7-24: Sheriff’s Office requests public’s assistance with stolen medical equipment.
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office received a theft report in Big Sky on February 4th. According to the reporting parties between the hours of 3:00 pm February 2nd and 7:00 am February 3rd, several Pelican hard cases and cardboard shipping boxes were stolen from the Yellowstone Conference Center in the Big Sky Resort. The boxes contain specialized medical equipment including ultrasound machines and transducers which have serial numbers and are highly trackable, some of which are shown below. In addition, medical journal magazines and training equipment were stolen. The Big Sky Resort has been fully cooperating and supporting this active investigation. The Sheriff’s Office is also asking for assistance from anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity during the above hours matching items being taken from the Conference Center or have seen the cases or equipment held or discarded elsewhere. There is an anonymous reward of $5000.00 for information that leads to the recovery of the items. Please contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office at 406-582-2100, Extension 2 with any information.
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Four Corners Runaway Child
On February 4, 2024, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were flagged down by a mother, who informed them that her 12-year-old child had ran away from a local indoor trampoline park in the Four Corners Area. Deputies searched the area before calling Gallatin County Search and Rescue to assist.
While on their way to the area to assist, a Search and Rescue Member spotted a child matching the missing juvenile’s description walking southbound along Highway 191 near Axtell Anceny Road. The Search and Rescue Member stopped and spoke with the child before Deputies arrived on scene and confirmed it was the missing child.
The child was in good health and was given a ride back home and returned to the care of his mother. Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the sharp-eyed Search and Rescue volunteer for locating the child before they could come to harm.
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Big Sky “Tick Ridge” Injured Paraglider
On February 2, 2024, Gallatin County 911 received a call for an injured paraglider near Big Sky. The paraglider was “speed flying” when they hit a tree, fell roughly 20 feet and sustained a leg injury. A friend of the paraglider was able to call 911 to report the incident, set and splint the injured limb, and relay the patient’s location to emergency responders.
Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Big Sky Section responded to assist. It was determined the patient’s location was technically challenging terrain and a helicopter rescue would be the best course of action.
A helicopter rescue team from Central Copters Inc. responded to assist the injured paraglider. A short-haul rescue was performed. The patient was successfully transported to Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center.
Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the injured paraglider’s friend for their quick action, and points to this incident as a reminder to extreme sport participants of the importance of having a trusted partner or group while engaging in high-risk sports.
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2-1-24: Sheriff Reports Citizen Tip Leads to Arrest in Street Sign Thefts
For Immediate Release
On January 30, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office provided a press release where 49 road signs from various parts of the county had been stolen. A Gallatin County citizen saw the press release and came forward with valuable information which ultimately led to the arrest and charge of one 18 year old Bozeman resident. This investigation continues as deputies follow up on additional leads. Currently, 46 of the 49 stolen road signs have been recovered from various locations in Gallatin County. Sheriff Dan Springer thanks the public for their assistance in this case and reiterates, it is the trust and relationship with our community that is often the key to solving many of these cases.
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Madison Arm Road Injured Snowmobiler
On January 31, 2024, at 10:41am, West Yellowstone Police Department Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a snowmobiler who was recreating with a friend when one of the snowmobilers sustained injuries as a result of a snowmobile vs tree collision. The caller indicated that his friend was in need of immediate medical treatment near Madison Arm Rd, 4 miles north of West Yellowstone, Montana.
Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the West Yellowstone detachment, West Yellowstone Police Department, Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District (HBRFD), and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the request for aid. The GCSSAR team members determined that due to the low snow conditions and the injured snowmobiler’s proximity to the Madison Arm trail, a tracked four-wheeler, side by side UTV, and a snowmobile response would serve the patient best. When GCSSAR members arrived on scene, it was discovered the patient had sustained a serious wrist injury. The patient was transported from the scene of the accident by a specialized tracked four-wheeler towed ambulance to a waiting HBRFD ambulance for further evaluation. The injured snowmobiler was later transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center for higher level care.
Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind winter recreationalists that due to the below average snow fall, please be aware of the dangers arising from changing snow and trail conditions. Sheriff Springer would also like to remind winter recreationalists of the importance of having the ability to reach emergency services when enjoying winter activities.