Gallatin Media Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On June 30, 2025, at 12:22 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue – Big Sky Section was called to Ousel Falls Trailhead for a cardiac arrest with bystander CPR in progress. SAR volunteers, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Big Sky Fire Department responded to the scene, which was approximately 0.5 miles from the trailhead. When rescuers arrived on scene, numerous bystanders were helping by escorting emergency services to the scene, providing medical care in the form of CPR, and assisting the victim’s family.

Emergency responders provided life saving efforts at the scene and transported the victim to the trailhead where the Big Sky Fire Department ambulance was waiting. Resuscitative efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and the victim was pronounced dead.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank all the bystanders who participated in this event. There were many people recreating on the trail who stopped what they were doing and leapt into action to assist the victim and their family. Studies have proven that bystander CPR provides the victim of a cardiac arrest with the best chance of survival. Sheriff Dan Springer would also like to thank the Search and Rescue volunteers in Big Sky. When called to service, eight volunteers immediately stopped what they were doing at work or in their personal lives, gathered critical equipment, and quickly and efficiently deployed onto the trail to assist with a high acuity event.

Finally, Sheriff Dan Springer would like to express his sincere condolences to the family. The decedent was identified as 66 year old Mark Hammons of Kentucky. This was a tragic and sudden event and Sheriff Springer would like the family to know they are in his thoughts and prayers.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team will be conducting a large-scale search operation in the Bear Canyon and New World Gulch areas this Saturday and Sunday, June 28–29.

This effort continues the search for David Butzin, who was first reported missing on November 10, 2024. The operation will involve ground teams, search dogs, horseback riders, drones, aircraft, and numerous support vehicles.

If you’ve been in the area recently and observed anything unusual, please contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office at 406-582-2100.

We also ask the public to avoid the Bear Canyon and New World Gulch areas if possible during this time to ensure SAR teams can carry out their work safely and efficiently.

For immediate release: June 26, 2025 

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963 (cell)
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov  

Gallatin County Commission to Hold Public Hearing on Draft Camping Ordinance 

The Gallatin County Commission will discuss the future of camping on public property and rights-of-way in unincorporated areas of Gallatin County at its next public meeting on Tuesday, July 1, at 9 AM at the Gallatin County Courthouse (311 W. Main St., Bozeman) in the third-floor Community Room. 

At the meeting, commissioners will consider a draft ordinance that would prohibit camping on public property or public rights-of-way in the unincorporated areas of Gallatin County unless camping is specifically allowed by the county.  

See the full draft resolution here.  

Tuesday’s meeting will be the first reading of the draft ordinance. If the commission approves it, a final vote is expected to take place at the commission’s July 15 public meeting. 

This draft ordinance was brought before the Gallatin County Commission at the request of Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer and vetted for legality by the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office. The commission considered incidents, complaints and public safety concerns over several work sessions to explore a potential ordinance. Public health and safety were the primary factors guiding the commission’s direction. The goal is to connect people with resources that reduce risk to themselves and protect community health and sanitation. The draft ordinance also aligns with the City of Bozeman’s regulations to minimize confusion and prevent spillover impacts. Should the ordinance pass, the commission is committed to monitoring data and evaluating the ordinance’s effectiveness over time.

“The County Commission has a lot of trust in the information our sheriff and his deputies bring us. They asked that we help them in developing a regulatory tool to address the challenges they encounter around the county, and I think it has resulted in a reasonable policy,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Scott MacFarlane. 

Public comments will be taken during the meeting, and community members can participate either in person at the courthouse or remotely via Zoom. Details for joining the meeting online can be found here. 

In addition to providing comment during the meeting, residents can share their feedback ahead of time by emailing commission@gallatin.mt.gov, calling 406-582-3000, or by delivering written comments to the Gallatin County Commission Office in Room 306 of the Gallatin County Courthouse. 

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For immediate release: June 17, 2025 

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963 (cell)
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov 

Gallatin County Adopts Safe Streets for All Action Plan to Reduce Traffic Fatalities and Serious Injuries 

After more than a year of collaboration, research, and community engagement, the Gallatin County Commission has officially adopted the Gallatin County Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Action Plan. This milestone marks a major step toward reducing fatalities and serious injuries on county roadways. 

Gallatin County developed the Action Plan after being awarded a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All planning grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation. The county partnered with consulting firm Robert Peccia & Associates (RPA) to develop the plan. Adoption of this plan makes Gallatin County eligible to apply for future federal funding to implement the recommended safety projects and programs. 

“This is an important roadmap and requirement for accessing future grant dollars and an integral part of how we advance some of these big infrastructure projects that are ridiculously expensive,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Jennifer Boyer. 

The planning area for the SS4A Action Plan includes all of Gallatin County except the city limits of Bozeman and Belgrade, which are conducting their own SS4A planning efforts. The plan’s focus is on addressing serious crashes and working toward a goal of reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries by 50% by 2034. 

Based on an in-depth review of five years of crash data, the plan identifies four key focus areas: 

• Run-off-the-road crashes 

• Intersection crashes 

• Driver age (younger and older drivers) 

• High-risk behaviors (speeding, impairment, distraction, lack of seatbelt use) 

To address these focus areas, the Action Plan recommends: 

• Several strategies that can be used to assist in the future identification, development, and implementation of specific projects in the county 

• 19 projects – infrastructure improvements to make roadways safer 

• 8 programs – ongoing initiatives such as crash data analysis and education campaigns 

• 4 policies – to improve operations and safety standards 

Throughout the planning process, Gallatin County engaged the public through surveys, interactive commenting maps, virtual open houses, and a Safety Summit with community leaders. This input helped shape the plan’s recommendations to reflect local priorities. 

Now that the plan is adopted, Gallatin County will pursue funding to begin implementing priority projects and programs, with the ultimate goal of achieving zero roadway fatalities in the future. 

Learn more and view the full plan here.

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For immediate release: June 10, 2025

Media contact: 
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963 (cell)
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov

Applications Open for Opioid Settlement Funds to Support Prevention and Recovery Efforts

The Gallatin County Metro Region, which includes Gallatin County and the City of Bozeman, is now accepting applications for funding through the Montana Opioid Abatement Trust (MOAT). Up to $757,886 is available for projects aimed at reducing the harms caused by opioid misuse and addiction.

The MOAT was created to receive and distribute national opioid settlement funds. These funds are dedicated to supporting prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives across Montana. The Gallatin County Metro Region Board will review local applications and request funding from the MOAT Advisory Board for projects selected for recommendation.

The Board plans to prioritize proposals that align with the Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition Strategic Plan, with a focus on evidence-based prevention, care coordination, warm handoffs, and connecting individuals and families to behavioral health and social services. Other proposals that align with the strategic plan will also be considered.

Proposals of up to two years in duration will be accepted. The total anticipated funding available in the second year is $430,204. These amounts include supplemental funds received via direct settlement disbursements to Gallatin County and the City of Bozeman.

Applications must be submitted online through the Montana Opioid Abatement Trust portal by 9 p.m. on August 15, 2025.

For more information and to apply, visit:
Grant portal
Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition Strategic plan
Eligible uses of funds

Questions regarding the application or review process should be addressed to Cola Rowley at Cola.Rowley@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-582-3047.

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For immediate release: June 5, 2025

Bozeman, MT – On June 4, 2025, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple other agencies, arrested Leodis Roach on a federal probation warrant issued out of Portland, Oregon. The arrest occurred near the North 19th Avenue exit of eastbound Interstate 90.

Details surrounding the arrest and subsequent investigation led to the apprehension of two of Roach’s associates: Jessie L. Brown and Jared Minard. Both are currently being held at the Gallatin County Detention Center.

The investigation is ongoing. No further information is available at this time.

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In the evening hours of Sunday, June 1, 2025, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with the Bozeman Police Department investigated a fatal incident involving a single person at the 19^th and Graf apartment homes hot tub, located at 3001 S 21^st Ave. The victim was identified as 48-year-old Justin Huggins of Bozeman. The investigation showed that Justin was in the apartment complex hot tub alone. Intoxication is suspected to have contributed to his death. Cause and manner of death are pending until autopsy results are available.

Sheriff Springer wishes to thank all the apartment residents that assisted in life saving efforts. He also would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Justin Huggins during this time.

CORRECTION: The previous version of this press release had the wrong day of the week listed for the event. The release has been corrected below. Apologies for the error!

For immediate release: June 4, 2024 

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963 (cell)
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov 

Public Invited to Gallatin County Justice Center Grand Opening Ceremony 

After years of collaboration, planning, and perseverance by community leaders, Gallatin County is proud to invite the public to celebrate the grand opening of the new Gallatin County Justice Center, a safe, efficient, and modern facility built to serve the people of our growing county. 

Join us Friday, June 20 at 3 PM at the Justice Center, located at 515 S. 16th Ave. in Bozeman, for a ribbon cutting ceremony, remarks from local officials, and guided tours of the building. 

“We owe the success of this project to multiple previous county administrations,” said Commissioner Scott MacFarlane. “Gallatin County leadership has fostered a deliberate conversation with the voters over multiple decades about our emerging need for a courts facility that keeps our employees and the public safe and meets the needs of a quickly growing community. We are grateful that the voters finally coalesced around this facility, which will serve our community for decades to come.” 

This milestone marks the culmination of years of effort by local officials and community stakeholders to replace the former Law and Justice Center, an aging, out-of-code former Catholic high school that had long outlived its usefulness. The building, purchased by the county in the 1980s, was not designed to support the responsibilities or the increasing demands of our justice system. It was too small, inefficient, and lacked basic safety standards. 

Recognizing the need for change, Gallatin County leaders and justice system partners worked through years of planning, difficult conversations, and even a few setbacks, including multiple failed bond measures, before aligning around a shared vision for safer, more efficient justice facilities. 

That vision ultimately took shape as a phased approach to relocating public safety and court services into spaces better suited to the county’s growing needs. Bozeman Police and Municipal Courts moved into the Bozeman Public Safety Center in 2022. Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office operations followed with a transition to a new facility in Four Corners in 2024. Other departments, including Victim Services and 911 Records, also found new homes, paving the way for the final piece: a permanent, purpose-built home for the courts. 

Construction began in the fall of 2022 and was completed earlier this year. The 67,000-square-foot Gallatin County Justice Center now houses: 

• Four District Court courtrooms 

• Two Justice Court courtrooms 

• Clerk of Court offices 

• Youth Court and Probation 

• A Standing Master’s office 

• The Self-Help Law Center 

• A large public community/jury assembly room 

• A dedicated Sheriff’s Office security post 

The $46 million Justice Center project was primarily funded by a $29 million bond approved by voters in 2021, with additional contributions from: 

• $4.8 million in county general fund money, made available through American Rescue Plan Act funds 

• $5 million in county savings 

• $3.7 million in bond premium funds 

• $3.5 million in financing 

This Justice Center is more than just a building. It represents a commitment by Gallatin County to uphold the law, protect public safety, and serve the community with integrity and fairness. It was made possible by the vision and persistence of local leaders, and by the support of voters who recognized the critical need for a facility that meets modern standards for justice and safety. 

We hope you’ll join us on June 20 to help celebrate this major achievement for Gallatin County. 

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For immediate release: June 4, 2024 

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963 (cell)
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov 

Public Invited to Gallatin County Justice Center Grand Opening Ceremony 

After years of collaboration, planning, and perseverance by community leaders, Gallatin County is proud to invite the public to celebrate the grand opening of the new Gallatin County Justice Center, a safe, efficient, and modern facility built to serve the people of our growing county. 

Join us Thursday, June 20 at 3 PM at the Justice Center, located at 515 S. 16th Ave. in Bozeman, for a ribbon cutting ceremony, remarks from local officials, and guided tours of the building. 

“We owe the success of this project to multiple previous county administrations,” said Commissioner Scott MacFarlane. “Gallatin County leadership has fostered a deliberate conversation with the voters over multiple decades about our emerging need for a courts facility that keeps our employees and the public safe and meets the needs of a quickly growing community. We are grateful that the voters finally coalesced around this facility, which will serve our community for decades to come.” 

This milestone marks the culmination of years of effort by local officials and community stakeholders to replace the former Law and Justice Center, an aging, out-of-code former Catholic high school that had long outlived its usefulness. The building, purchased by the county in the 1980s, was not designed to support the responsibilities or the increasing demands of our justice system. It was too small, inefficient, and lacked basic safety standards. 

Recognizing the need for change, Gallatin County leaders and justice system partners worked through years of planning, difficult conversations, and even a few setbacks, including multiple failed bond measures, before aligning around a shared vision for safer, more efficient justice facilities. 

That vision ultimately took shape as a phased approach to relocating public safety and court services into spaces better suited to the county’s growing needs. Bozeman Police and Municipal Courts moved into the Bozeman Public Safety Center in 2022. Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office operations followed with a transition to a new facility in Four Corners in 2024. Other departments, including Victim Services and 911 Records, also found new homes, paving the way for the final piece: a permanent, purpose-built home for the courts. 

Construction began in the fall of 2022 and was completed earlier this year. The 67,000-square-foot Gallatin County Justice Center now houses: 

• Four District Court courtrooms 

• Two Justice Court courtrooms 

• Clerk of Court offices 

• Youth Court and Probation 

• A Standing Master’s office 

• The Self-Help Law Center 

• A large public community/jury assembly room 

• A dedicated Sheriff’s Office security post 

The $46 million Justice Center project was primarily funded by a $29 million bond approved by voters in 2021, with additional contributions from: 

• $4.8 million in county general fund money, made available through American Rescue Plan Act funds 

• $5 million in county savings 

• $3.7 million in bond premium funds 

• $3.5 million in financing 

This Justice Center is more than just a building. It represents a commitment by Gallatin County to uphold the law, protect public safety, and serve the community with integrity and fairness. It was made possible by the vision and persistence of local leaders, and by the support of voters who recognized the critical need for a facility that meets modern standards for justice and safety. 

We hope you’ll join us on June 20 to help celebrate this major achievement for Gallatin County. 

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