Gallatin Media Center

PRESS RELEASE

JUNCTION 8 KNEE INJURY

On Monday, September 26, 2022, at 9:24 a.m., the West Yellowstone Police Department received a 911 call from an individual who had possibly suffered a broken leg during a UTV rollover. The coordinates retrieved from the 911 call indicated that the crash location was 7.3 miles west of West Yellowstone.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, Custer Gallatin National Forest Service, and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department responded to assist with the incident. The injured person was escorted to meet with a HBFD ambulance for medical evaluation ultimately choosing to self-transport to the Ennis Regional Medical Center for further care.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind UTV operators to ride within their abilities and be watchful for changing trail conditions. Carrying a reliable means of communication was integral in the swift response during this incident.

 

For immediate release: Sept. 26, 2022

Media contact:
Jasmine Hall, Gallatin County Elections Manager
jasmine.hall@gallatin.mt.gov
406-582-3060

Gallatin County Elections Office Encourages Early Voter Registration

Why wait?! The Gallatin County Elections Department encourages voters who need to register or update their registration to do so sooner than later to avoid Election Day lines.

Due to a recent court ruling, same-day voter registration will be permitted on Election Day for the upcoming federal general election on Nov. 8.

Voters can register to vote on Election Day, but can only do so at the Elections Office between 7 AM and 8 PM. Their ballots must be received by 8 PM.

Voters new to Gallatin County, who register on Election Day, will be required to vote provisionally. Their vote will be counted on Monday Nov. 14 once it goes through the Provisional Ballot verification process to ensure election integrity.

Gallatin County Elections staff urges folks to update your voter registration now! Be proactive and avoid long registration lines on Election Day. Depending on crowds, in years past folks have had to wait hours to get registered on Election Day. Come in now and our staff will have you in and out of our office in just a few minutes!

You can check your voter registration information at www.MyVoterPageMT.com. Remember – if you’ve moved or changed your name since the last election, you will need to update your registration.

Our staff makes it quick and easy to get registered. Simply print out this form and fill it out using blue or black ink. Then return it to our office either in person, by email or via email. For email forms, simply take a picture or scan your filled-out form and send it to gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov.

Almost 17 and ready to vote in the upcoming election? Seventeen-year-olds with birthdays on or before Election Day on Nov. 8 can pre-register today!

Please note: Regular voter registration for the upcoming general election closes at 5 PM on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The late voter registration period begins on Wednesday, Oct. 12. During late registration, you must appear in person at the election office to register to vote or make changes to your current registration. Late registration ends at noon on Monday, Nov. 7. Then same-day registration is available on Election Day from 7 AM to 8 PM.

Other recent elections changes

A recent court ruling also updated laws around what is an acceptable form of ID for voting. A student ID is now an acceptable form of identification. Students can provide their current student ID to vote – no additional ID required.

The Gallatin County Elections Office is located at:

311 W. Main St.
Room 210
Bozeman, MT 59715

Reach us at 406-582-3060 or gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov. Find more elections info at www.gallatinvotes.com.

In the early morning hours of Friday, September 23, 2022, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a fatality involving a vehicle and bicyclist that occurred near the corner of Huffine Ln and Gooch Hill Rd. The victim was identified as 75-year-old Richard Evers of Bozeman. Investigation showed Richard was attempting to cross Huffine Ln on his bicycle when a vehicle struck him. Cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries of the head and chest and the manner was ruled an accident.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Richard Evers during this time and to all parties involved in this tragic accident.

________________________________

Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer will hold a press conference to discuss the launch of the “Handle With Care” program. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s office is partnering with schools across the county to notify teachers and counselors when a student is exposed to a traumatic event. These school leaders will be more prepared to act as stable, nurturing buffers, and can offer therapeutic services to any child impacted by a traumatic event.  The press conference will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 10 AM at the Gallatin County Detention Center Community Room (605 S. 16th Ave., Bozeman).

For any questions, please contact Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Christine Koosman at 406-582-2109 or 406-589-7379.

On the evening of Sunday September 18, 2022, Bozeman Police Department and the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a single vehicle fatality that occurred at the corner of Huffine Ln and South Ferguson Ave. The victim was identified as 66-year-old Charles Juhnke of Bozeman. Cause of death was determined to beblunt force injuries of the head and abdomen and the manner was ruled an accident.

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

For immediate release: Sept. 16, 2022
Media contact:
Patrick Lonergan, Chief of Gallatin County Emergency Management and Fire
406-548-0116
patrick@readygallatin.com

Gallatin, Madison Counties Sign Agreement to Consolidate Emergency Management Services in Big Sky Area

Gallatin and Madison counties recently entered into an interlocal agreement to consolidate emergency management, wildfire, and hazardous materials services under Gallatin County’s Emergency Management Program.

This new agreement creates a single agency responsible for all of the Big Sky community and reduce duplication of efforts. Gallatin County will manage the three programs across the Big Sky community, including the portion of Madison County that falls in the Big Sky Resort Area Tax District boundary.

Per the agreement, Gallatin County will assume the following responsibilities in this area of Madison County:

• Emergency Management
  • Mitigation
  • Preparedness
  • Response
  • Recovery

• Wildfire
  • Fire Warden and cooperative fire protection with Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC)
  • County Rural Fire Chief
  • Open burning

• Hazardous Materials
  • Local Emergency Response Authority
  • Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act
  • Hazardous Materials Response Team

The goal of the agreement is to create more efficiencies while bringing consistency for these programs across the community without worrying where the county line is.

Similar arrangements are already in place for law enforcement, coroner, search and rescue, and 911 dispatch.

With all other public safety functions being provided by agencies in Gallatin County, this alignment will allow for easier and closer coordination across agencies for activities in the Madison County portion of Big Sky.

This also allows for the Gallatin County plans, processes and tools to be consistently applied across the entire Big Sky community regardless of the location. These are also the resources the emergency service agencies are already familiar with and using.

The community resources and tools available on readygallatin.com and through our staff will now apply to the whole community and establish a one-stop source for preparedness-related information.

In the event of a large scale incident in Big Sky, response coordination and recovery activities will no longer be split between the counties depending on your location.

Through the combined efforts between the counties, Gallatin County’s program will now have program staff focusing in the areas of operations, training, preparedness, mitigation and wildfire response who can provide a higher level of expertise across our program areas.

The entire agreement can be viewed here.

To learn more about Gallatin County Emergency Management and what this new inter-local means for the Big Sky Area, the public is welcome to a virtual discussion during Big Sky Community Week. The panel discussion will be on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 2-3 PM. Details on how to join can be found here.

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For immediate release: Sept. 15, 2022

Media contact:
Michelle Bossert, Interim Human Resources Director
406-582-3046
michelle.bossert@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County Hosting Career Fairs on Sept. 21-22

 

Gallatin County is teaming up with Express Employment Professionals in Bozeman to host two career fairs highlighting the wonderful career opportunities county government has to offer.

Make a difference in your community working for a well-functioning county government, and receive an excellent benefits package too!

The career fairs will include pizza, snacks, fun swag, on-the-sot tours, and a chance to win Bridger Bowl ski passes!

The fairs will be:

• Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the Gallatin County Courthouse (311 W. Main St. in Bozeman)
• Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Law and Justice Center (615 S. 16th Ave. in Bozeman)

Both fairs run from 10 AM to 2 PM each day.

Gallatin County has over 100 job openings in departments ranging from 911 dispatch and the detention center, to the Gallatin Rest Home and Logan Landfill, and many more. All current job postings can be found at this link.

Job seekers who have questions about the upcoming career fairs can call or text Express Employment at 406-587-0388.

For immediate release: Sept. 13, 2022

Media contact:
Sandy Erhardt, Gallatin County Clerk of District Court
serhardt@mt.gov

 

Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s Office Temporarily Reducing Office Hours

Due to short staffing, the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court’s Office is temporarily reducing its office hours to enable staff to maintain current caseload.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 19, the office will be open to the public 8 AM to 3 PM, Monday through Friday. The office is located on the top floor of the Law and Justice Center at 615 S. 16^th Ave. in Bozeman.

Duties of the Clerk of District Court’s Office include keeping records for District Court, providing marriage licenses, keeping minutes for court proceedings, filing all actions for every case filed in District Court, and more.

While the office will be closed to the public in the afternoons, staff will be on hand through 5 PM each day.

“Our staff will use that time at the end of the day to get caught up and ensure we are maintaining the caseload in our office,” said Gallatin County Clerk of District Court Sandy Erhardt.

Like many employers across the county, the Clerk of Court’s Office is short staffed. The office has a total of 14 positions, but is currently down four people and will be losing two more employees by the end of the month.

“We are heading toward a crisis situation with low staffing,” Erhardt said.

A drop-box will be outside the office for filing. You may also email documents for filing to GallatinCountyDCFilings@mt.gov.

For emergency situations, please call 406-582-2171 or 406-582-2169.

The reduced public office hours will remain in place until more staff are hired in the office. We will keep the public updated.

For information on job openings within the Clerk of District Court’s Office, and all other county departments, please visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gallatinmt.

 

For immediate release: Sept. 12, 2022

The individual from the incident on Red Barn Drive on Sunday, Sept. 11 has been identified as 35-year-old Joshua John Holland of Belgrade.

This incident remains under investigation by the Montana Department of Justice as per protocol.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office wants to thank all nearby residents for their cooperation and understanding during this difficult time. We would also like to thank Josh’s family for their kindness and understanding.

If you or a loved one is suffering from a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or contact the local Help Center for help and to be connected to resources.

Utilizing drones, shortly after 6:00 pm, the suspect was found to be deceased from a self inflicted gunshot wound. Those evacuated from their homes have now been allowed to return. We appreciate everyone’s patience throughout this event. Our thoughts are with the family during this very difficult time.