Gallatin Media Center

On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at approximately 7:20 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in Big Sky responded to a request for assistance from two hikers that fell into the South Fork of the Gallatin River. The first individual slipped and fell into the river and the second individual jumped into the water to assist. The pair made it out of the water, but on the opposite side of the river from the Ousel Falls Trail.

Search and Rescue Volunteers, Big Sky Fire Dept. and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded and helped the stranded individuals. All parties made it safely out to the trailhead. Both of the individuals were assessed by Big Sky Fire Department personnel for cold exposure but were released on scene.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind individuals when recreating outdoors to be aware of the dangers of going into moving water and to watch your footing around moving water, especially during spring runoff when riverbanks are extremely unstable.

Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools Office

 

For immediate release: May 26, 2021

The Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools learned that a vacancy was created within the Bozeman School District No. 7 Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees did not fill the vacancy within sixty days of its occurrence. Thus, Montana law provides that the Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools shall make the appointment to fill the vacant Trustee position.

See the full press release here.

Media contact:
Matt Henry, Gallatin County Superintendent of Schools
406-582-3090
matthew.henry@gallatin.mt.gov

 

At 4:57 pm on May 23^rd, Fort Ellis Fire/Rescue on the east end of Bozeman was paged to a reported structure fire at 1321 Robin Lane.  Upon arrival, firefighters encountered flame lengths of 30 feet high and heavy smoke on the rear of the home.  All occupants escaped the home after hearing an explosion from the garage area.  Fort Ellis had 25 volunteer firefighters along with mutual aid assistance from Bozeman and Hyalite Fire Departments, AMR Ambulance, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and the American Red Cross.  While the home incurred severe smoke damage, portions of the home were saved along with important family heirlooms and valuables.  Fort Ellis would like to thank its mutual aid partners and the Gallatin County Dispatch Center for outstanding partnership and assistance.  No injuries were reported and crews were on scene for three hours.

 

Media Contact:  Buck Taylor, 406/539-9358

For Immediate Release: May 18, 2021

The Gallatin City-County Health Department is saddened to announce that one more Gallatin County resident has passed away from complications due to COVID-19.

See the full press release here.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about COVID-19. Reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123.

The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website.

Find information on COVID-19 vaccines in Gallatin County here.

On Sunday, May 16^th at approximately 10:07 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in Bozeman responded to a request for assistance from a lost hiker near Saddle Peak. The hiker was trying to return to Middle Cottonwood trailhead but became disoriented due to darkness and snow covering the trail. The hiker called 911 then remained stationary to aid in the rescue.

Three volunteer teams departed from Middle Cottonwood and Truman Gulch on foot. A Life Flight Network helicopter crew was requested to assist in the operation.  The helicopter crew launched quickly and spotted the hiker in the area of the plotted 911 coordinates.

Volunteers located the hiker at approximately 3:08 am and assessed for medical needs. The hiker was escorted to Truman Gulch because the terrain was less demanding for navigation on foot.  All parties arrived safely and the hiker was transported to Middle Cottonwood to their parked vehicle.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind the public that when you find yourself in need of assistance call sooner, rather than later, and remain stationary to aid in your rescue.  A charged cell phone battery can be maintained by keeping it in airplane mode and is an invaluable rescue tool. Sheriff Springer would also like to recognize our selfless volunteers who worked throughout the night to bring one of our citizen’s home safely.

Photos courtesy of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office

For Immediate Release: May 17, 2021

The three finalists for the Gallatin City-County Health Officer position have completed formal interviews. Their final interviews will be done in a public forum to provide transparency in the process and allow the public to weigh in on the selection.

See the full press release here.

For more information on registering for the meeting and providing public comment, please visit our website.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for questions about COVID-19. Reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123 or email at callcenter@readygallatin.com.

The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website.

 

For immediate release: May 14, 2021

Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued yesterday, and on improving epidemiology of our COVID-19 outbreak in Gallatin County, Health Officer Matt Kelley is rescinding the local Health Officer order related to face coverings, effective today.

See the full press release here.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for questions about COVID-19. Reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123 or email at callcenter@readygallatin.com.

The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website. Find information on COVID-19 vaccines in Gallatin County here.

Recently the Gallatin County Detention Center marked the 10^th anniversary of the first inmates moving into the current Detention Center, a project the voters of Gallatin County approved in 2008.

At the Gallatin County Detention Center, we have worked to improve public safety and the quality of life in Gallatin County. We maximize the community’s investment by helping inmates leave a little better than when they come here, so they are less likely to re-offend and end up in jail again. The Detention Center is a division of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and shares the mission to serve and protect the residents of Gallatin County. We are proud of the staff and volunteers who have made our detention center the premiere detention facility in the region.

“The Gallatin County Detention Center continues to set the standard for detention facilities across the state,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer. “The design, engineering and operational planning created a facility which still looks new, is highly functional and safe for the detention staff and inmates. This is what happens when community wide collaboration occurs. This process took a number of years, but we got it right and we expect the facility to continue serving this community well into the future.”

To give each person the best chance at success when they re-enter society, the Gallatin County Detention Center offers programs for inmates including medical and mental health services, tutoring, job service, addiction programs and life skills classes. The Detention Center also has a Fresh Start Reentry Program to assist inmates with a discharge plan and follow-up so they can overcome the hurdles that are common on re-entry. Inmates who take advantage of these programs are less likely to return to jail, which leads to lower criminal costs, healthier families and less crime. Gallatin County Detention Center was the first facility in the state to provide these programs to help inmates improve their lives during and after detention, and to rebuild a successful life after leaving.

Thanks to the hard work of staff and volunteers in providing this critical programming for inmates, the recidivism rates of our inmates has maintained at about 18% for the last few years. That is well below the national average.

Some statistics since April 21, 2011, when we first began moving inmates into our detention center:

• 44,850 inmates have been booked
• The average daily population over 10 years is 145 inmates. In the last five years, the average has been 160.
• Over 125,000 hours of inmate programs have been provided by volunteers. Our current roster of volunteers is 196!
• Over 1.5 million meals have been served out of our kitchen.
• We hold inmates for 11 other counties and for Yellowstone National Park.
• We have had four jail commanders in the last 10 years – Dan Springer, Jeff Wade, Jason Jarrett, and currently Jim Anderson.

 

 

 

For Immediate Release: May 5, 2021

In anticipation of soon receiving emergency use authorization (EUA) of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 12 to 15 years old, the Gallatin County City-County Health Department will be expanding appointments for that age group in our upcoming vaccine clinics.

See the full press release here.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for questions about COVID-19. Reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123 or email at callcenter@readygallatin.com.

The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website. Find information on COVID-19 vaccines in Gallatin County here.

For immediate release: May 5, 2021

On Wednesday morning, the Gallatin City-County Board of Health discussed current local emergency rules that are meant to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Gallatin County and legislation that may make those rules unenforceable.

See the full press release here.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for questions about COVID-19. Reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123 or email at callcenter@readygallatin.com.

The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website. Find information on COVID-19 vaccines in Gallatin County here.