Town of Manhattan
Media Release

Town of Manhattan Water Discoloration

Manhattan, MT – The Town of Manhattan is experiencing water discoloration in its water supply.  The water has been tested by Bridger Analytical Labs and it is clear of any bacterial components.  The cause of the discoloration is the release of mineral deposits from the walls of the transmission lines.  One of the wells in Manhattan has been under-producing for several years, pumping much below the well capacity.  Recently, the pump at that well was repaired and the flow was significantly increased.  The increased flow, the constant pressure from the new water tower, and the increased use of irrigation lines have dislodged some of the built up mineral deposits in the transmission lines.  The water is not harmful, but it does look and smell unpleasant.

For updated information, please visit:  www.townofmanhattan.com.

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This morning at 0115 hours, a Bozeman Police Officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a vehicle which failed to stop at a red traffic light westbound at 19th and Main. The vehicle did not yield and made a right turn on to North 20th Avenue and accelerated rapidly northbound. The vehicle hit two trees before colliding with a power pole in the southwest corner of the Town and Country Foods (219 N 19th) property.  

Officers rendered aid to the 20-year old driver until medical responded.  The Montana Highway Patrol was called in to investigate the crash.  MHP notified the Gallatin County Detective Division who also responded.

(Gallatin County, Mont.). On Sunday May 29, 2016 around 4PM 911 Dispatch received a call from hikers on the Drinking Horse Trail. They reported that their friend went unconscious and fell down. The adult male regained consciousness and did not receive any trauma from the fall. However, he had irregular breathing and was shaky.

 Members from the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team and AMR responded to the scene. They reached the male quickly and were able to walk him out. When he reached the ambulance, he stated that he probably did not have enough to eat or drink prior to hiking. He was subsequently transported to the hospital.

 Sheriff Gootkin would like to remind hikers to be prepared before heading out to the backcountry. This included being properly nourished and hydrated. Sheriff Gootkin would also like to thank the committed volunteers that make up  Gallatin County Search and Rescue. ####

PRESS RELEASE
On 19 May at 0745 hours, Gallatin County Sheriff’s deputies, Search and Rescue personnel, Fort Ellis Fire, Hyalite Fire, AMR and Reach Air responded to a back country rescue on the Triple Tree Trail. A 25 year old Bozeman female was reported to have crashed her mountain bike on the downhill portion of the triple tree loop while riding with a friend. The victim sustained a significant head injury which necessitated a ground evacuation to awaiting air transport provided by Reach Air.

​The Sheriff would like to thank the residents of Triple Tree for their support to the rescue operation and remind everyone as we go into the summer months to wear your protective gear, travel with a friend and always bring emergency supplies when you go into the backcountry; despite how close you may be to town.

Release:  160519-01
Contact:  (406) 582-2395

River Levels Likely to Rise

Bozeman, MT – The Gallatin Valley is likely to see some of the highest river levels so far this spring over the next couple days.  While the projected river levels from the National Weather Service are not unusual for our rivers in the spring, they are forecasting a good increase through the weekend.  Individuals living, working or recreating around the rivers should closely monitor the river levels.  If you are in an area near a waterway that looks like it might flood, then you should assume it will flood and take the appropriate actions to protect your family and property.

Spring flooding is often a tough event to predict and frequently catches people off guard. Spring flooding in our area is often tied closely to rain and mountain snow melt with the rivers often reaching their crests in the middle of the night when people are asleep.  Now is the time to closely watch the waterways and take appropriate protective actions if it appears an area may flood.  Keep in mind that once flooding has occurred, the damage is done and it is often to late to protect your property.  Proactively protecting your property is your best action with flooding.

For more information on flooding, visit https://www.readygallatin.com/flooding-in-gallatin-county.

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Three Forks Ambulance District
Media Release

Three Forks, MT – Emergency Personnel in Three Forks completed a successful exercise on Mass Casualty Incidents Saturday morning.  Organized by Three Forks Ambulance District, personnel from around Three Forks responded to a simulated plane crash to test their training on successfully managing incidents with numerous injured people.  Mass Casualty Incidents occur infrequently, but when they occur they are high stress situations that require the responding personnel to fall back on special training.  With the low frequency of these events, exercises like these are critical in keeping the responders skills sharp in case an incident like this occurs.

Saturday’s simulated plane crash brought together response personnel from law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services from Three Forks, Gallatin and Jefferson Counties as well as the Highway Patrol.  Personnel from these agencies responded to this exercise not knowing the scenario ahead of time.  Upon their arrival they discovered a plane that had crashed into a car with injured people all over.  The personnel set up a common organizational structure and worked jointly to prioritize the patients using a system known as START Triage.  The patients were then transported to a simulated hospital in Three Forks based on the priority of their simulated injuries.

Participating agencies:

• Three Forks Ambulance
• Three Forks Fire
• Willow Creek Fire
• American Medical Response
• Reach Air Medical
• Bozeman Health
• Gallatin County Sheriff
• Jefferson County Sheriff
• Montana Highway Patrol
• Gallatin County Emergency Management

Pictures and B Roll video are available for use below:

Videos are available for use at:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBCsU-TLrGT1DVceZtS7onstwmkKD9saI

On May 12, 2016, at 11:55 A.M., Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Coroners were called to a two-vehicle head-on fatality crash located on 61000 Gallatin Road (Highway 191) wherein a motorcycle and large truck were involved.  The driver of the motorcycle, 50-year-old Jessica Gibb of Elgin, Illinois, did not survive.  Montana Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Belgrade, MONT. – On May 7, 2016 at approximately 6:20pm, Belgrade Police Officers were dispatched to a residence on Cottonwood Lane as it was reported that a four-year old child had been bitten by a dog.  Personnel from Central Valley/City of Belgrade Fire District and American Medical response were dispatched as well.  The child suffered lacerations to the head and face and was transported to Bozeman Deaconess hospital for treatment.  The injuries were not life-threatening.  The dog was impounded for quarantine purposes and the dog owner was issued a citation.  No further information is available at this time.

(Bozeman, Mont.)

The subject of the search in Bozeman creek Thursday night contacted authorities Saturday after seeing the press release. He’s okay, jumped in after a flip-flop  and got out on the other side of Mendenhall then walked home. He said he had no idea anybody was looking for him.

Sheriff Gootkin stated that spring is the time for high water. “Take a tip from the pro water rescuers” he said. “Respect moving water. It is deceivingly powerful. It can and will get you in serious trouble even if you are a strong swimmer.”

Montana Law Enforcement Torch Run®Press Release

 For Immediate Release​

Contact: Sergeant Jeremy Kopp 582-2100

 Law Enforcement Carry the Torch for Special Olympics Montana

 Montana Law Enforcement Officers and their friends have hit the streets, highways and byways of Montana. In addition to fulfilling their duties of enforcing speed limits, maintaining order and keeping our state safe, they are fulfilling another type of duty. They are carrying the torch for Special Olympics Montana.

Hundreds will carry the Flame of Hope 2,000 miles to the State Summer Games Opening Ceremonies in Missoula. The arrival of the Torch Run on Monday May 9th, 2016 and the Final Leg and lighting of the cauldron on Wednesday May 18th, 2016 will officially begin the games.

 Lt. Jack Allen (Great Falls Police Department) the statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run Director stated, “The athlete’s work is inspiring for us and we see it as an honor to help raise awareness and support for Special Olympics Montana.”

 The Torch Run has made stops in numerous towns throughout the state including Scobey, Medicine Lake, Kalispell, Billings, Glasgow, Malta, Butte, Boulder, Anaconda, Cut Bank, Havre and Lewistown. The torch will be arriving in Bozeman on Monday May 9th, 2016.  

 Several law enforcement agencies are participating in the run through Bozeman including the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Gallatin County Detention Center, Bozeman PD, Belgrade PD, and Montana Highway Patrol. The Torch Run is also receiving significant support from the fire departments as we run through the towns.

 “Once our officers get involved they are hooked,” said Allen. “It’s a mutually satisfying experience where we create special relationships that are genuine and long-term.”

 The Torch Run in Montana began in 1985. Each year, local Montana Law Enforcement Officers raise several thousand dollars for Special Olympics Montana athletes. In 2008, the Montana LETR raised over $350,000 for local athletes and was awarded 4th highest per capita in the world.

 Please join us at the Bozeman Public Library this Monday, 09 May from 0900 to 0945 for the official passing of the Torch from Park County to Gallatin County, a word from our Special Olympics athletes and then cheer on our local law enforcement and Special Olympics supporters as they run and bike the Torch from Bozeman to Three Forks.

 Timeline for the torch’s travel through Gallatin County:

Leg 1 – Running Leg through Bozeman (Bozeman Library to City Brew N. 19th Ave) – 3.7 miles – 9:45 – 10:25

Leg 2 – Running Leg from N. 19th Ave. City Brew to Belgrade Lee & Dad’s – 7.5 mile – 10:35 – 11:55

Leg 3 – Running Leg through Belgrade (Lee & Dad’s loop through town) – 2.0 miles – 12:05 – 12:25

Leg 4 – Biking Leg from Belgrade (Lee & Dad’s) to Manhattan (Thriftway) – 10.0 miles – 12:35 – 1:35

Leg 5 – Running Leg Loop through Manhattan – 1.0 mile – 1:45 – 1:55

Leg 6 – Biking Leg Manhattan (Thriftway) to Three Forks (Frontage & Talc Rd.) – 10.5 miles – 2:00 – 3:10

Leg 7 – Running Leg through Three Forks to David’s Memorial – Distance: 3.0 miles – 3:15 – 3:45

**All times are approximate**