Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInGALLATIN (WSMV) - The Gallatin Police Department announced the arrest of a man in connection with a massive drug bust in the city on Thursday GPD reported that a search warrant was executed at a house on North Electra Street on May 1 detectives seized about 20 pounds of methamphetamine “This search and seizure is the result of an ongoing investigation targeting illegal drug activity within the community,” GPD said Here are instructions on how to watch WSMV4 live on various platforms. who GPD said is the primary suspect in this investigation was arrested at the home and is being held at the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office “The Gallatin Police Department remains committed to combating illegal drug trafficking and protecting the safety and well-being of our citizens,” GPD said “Anyone with information related to this or any other crimes that have occurred in Gallatin is asked to contact the Gallatin Police Department at 452-1313.” Gallatin Police executed a search warrant at a residence on North Electra Street Police say the search led to the discovery of approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine The search and seizure were part of an ongoing investigation that Gallatin Police have had targeting illegal drug activity within the community Get reports like this and all the news of the day in Middle Tennessee delivered to your inbox each morning with the FOX 17 News Daily Newsletter. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office recently proposed to enter an interlocal agreement with the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain non-local undocumented immigrants at the Gallatin County Detention Center.  charged with providing legal advice to the Gallatin County government and commission which would provide 10 beds for ICE detainment at the detention center to potentially hold 1,200 non-local ICE detainees each year The statement explains that the proposal “exposes Gallatin County to significant legal liability and compromises the County’s ability to serve its own community members.”  County Attorney Audrey Cromwell cited the Tenth Amendment of the U.S Constitution which affirms that “states and localities cannot be compelled to enforce federal immigration laws” and that the Constitution also promises the fundamental right to due process Because ICE warrants differ from criminal warrants the cases are not reviewed by a judge to determine probable cause.  The attorney’s office explained that the costs of detainment that is later confirmed “unlawful” would cost Gallatin County taxpayers hundreds of thousands or possibly millions of dollars in litigation costs noting the consequence as a “significant risk.”  the attorney’s office explained that a statement by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department about housing only undocumented immigrants charged with crimes “does not align with the realities of the current ICE enforcement practices,” which would possibly detain individuals without criminal charges Cromwell also noted the strain on resources in the process of admitting and caring for detainees concluding by advising against the agreement.  “Given constitutional concerns regarding due process and added strain on overburdened County resources I have advised the Commission against entering into an additional interlocal agreement with ICE to detain non-local undocumented immigrants in the Gallatin County Detention Center,” Cromwell stated.  the Gallatin County Commission will discuss the proposal in future meetings.  — A group of concerned Gallatin County citizens held a town hall in Belgrade to update the community on the impacts from changing federal policies Around 40 Gallatin County residents gathered inside the Belgrade High School auditorium to hear what’s going on in the Gallatin Valley from panelists last week Belgrade School District administrators explained how the district's budget works from a taxpayer perspective how their budget is set and how property taxes are impacted at the local level They also covered why there continues to be annual mill levies and how funds are being used to raise teacher salaries and expand curriculum and programs The administrators added that engaging with a different group of people outside of school-related events increased their community awareness “Hearing that different perspective from key members of our community was good information on our part to try and understand maybe some of the pain points that they’re experiencing as a result of the things that are transpiring in our nation,” said Trey Olson Belgrade School District assistant superintendent and the impacts current policies have on the outlook for farmers in the Gallatin Valley Community members suggested investing in agriculture economy and infrastructure investment as potential solutions to keep farmers farming in the area Some panelists believe more town halls are needed to continue getting community members involved and informed on important issues impacting the Gallatin Valley “Our neighbors have the same questions that we have Our neighbors are concerned about the same things that we’re concerned And it’s so much more convenient to be able to go after those kinds of answers as a community rather than have to do it and worry about it on our own,” said Nate Powell-Palm Other topics discussed during the town hall include public lands Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application in his home surrounded by his wife and children He graduated from Gallatin High School in the class of 1956 and then joined the United States Marine Corps He was stationed in Hawaii and played football for the Marine Corps while enlisted Bud attended APSU and played football all 4 years earning many awards including Honorable Mention Little All American He owned Coley & Lyles Insurance Agency for many years Chairman of Board of Christian Towers & The Manor He was selfless with his time and gifts and continually gave back to others without hesitation and humbly He enjoyed trips to The Greenbrier with his family and golfing with his buddies He was an APSU football season ticket holder for 60+ years and faithful supporter of the athletic program He was a faithful member of Hartsville Pike Church of Christ serving many years in the benevolent ministry Bud was preceded in death by his parents Herschel Coley and Dora Coley; his sisters He is survived by his loving wife Mary Lynn Coley; sons David (Lisa) Coley and Chad (Liz) Coley; daughter Kelly Coley; grandchildren Megan Coley and Maggie Claire Coley; 6 great grandchildren Mia The funeral service will be 4:00 pm Tuesday Visitation will be from 1:00-4:00pm prior to the service at the church Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Martin Hartsville Pike Church of Christ Elders & Deacons each time you do a random act of kindness think of Bud “Be kind and compassionate to one another just as in Christ God has forgiven you.” Eph 4:32 Arrangements entrusted to Alexander Funeral Home & Cremation Center Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Located in Bozeman, MT For questions or comments contact the Ask Us Desk      D2L/Canvas      BOZEMAN — Two additional cases of measles have been confirmed in Gallatin County, bringing the total current number to seven. According to the Gallatin City-County Health Department, the new cases are among household members of previously identified cases in the county. The individuals were not immunized against measles and were being monitored for symptoms while isolating at home. Measles is a highly infectious airborne disease and can spread before people know they have it. Those without prior infection or vaccination have a 90-percent likelihood of contracting measles if exposed. Anyone seeking vaccination is urged to call their primary care provider as soon as possible or schedule an appointment with the health department by calling 406-582-3100. This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. BOZEMAN, Mont. — The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office is voicing opposition to a proposal to partner with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The proposal is to house undocumented immigrants at the Gallatin County Detention Center. NBC Montana first reported that ICE reached out to the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office about using 10 beds to hold people waiting for their hearings. In a statement sent to NBC Montana on Friday, Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell disagreed with Sheriff Dan Springer’s comment that the detention center could meet the need. Cromwell stated, “Nothing about this detention contract makes Gallatin County a safer place to live, work, or go to schoolVoluntarily becoming a detention center for ice could not only expose the county to significant liability, but also damage relationships within our community, leading to lower rates of crime reporting, witness cooperation, and engagement with victim services." The statement cites the 10th amendment, saying states and localities cannot be compelled to enforce federal immigration laws. Cromwell also expressed concern that potentially unlawful detentions could cost Gallatin County taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. NBC Montana will continue to follow developments with this proposal. approximately one mile north of Breckenridge according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol The patrol reported that a 2000 Chevrolet 1500 was traveling south when it ran off the right side of the road causing the pickup to veer off the left side of the roadway The vehicle then struck an embankment and a tree before coming to rest on its wheels sustained injuries and was transported by Caldwell County EMS to Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe The pickup was totaled and towed by Legacy Tow The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office assisted the patrol at the scene TSA public affairs specialist Lorie Dankers at the Billings airport demonstrates the correct procedure to pack and travel with a firearm on a commercial flight Three Logan-area landowners have shooters in their sights with a petition to close four parcels of state-owned land west of Bozeman to recreational plinking The property near the county landfill has been used as an unimproved target range for years. Since 2024 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has been working to develop a public range on the land A public comment period for the range closed on April 23 A sign on private land has bullet holes from recreational shooters on adjacent state land near Logan filed on April 1 by an attorney representing father and son John and Stephen McDonnell and Kelsey Valley Ranch seeks the closure “due to the threat to public safety and the imminent threat of immediate irreparable property damage and bodily injury." The landowners also said the shooting range is “causing damage that diminishes the income generating potential” of the state trust land and cite concerns about trash left by the public damage to fences and personal property used as targets and claim to have seen and heard bullets “flying near them.” “There is no government control or regulation of the area so what is going on there is out of control,” Konnor Kelsey wrote in a statement included with the petition managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is located south of Interstate 90 near the small community of Logan The petitioners own property abutting the state lands FWP launched a draft environmental assessment in which the agency proposed to buy out a grazing lease on the land and purchase an easement to 86 acres FWP Communications Division administrator Greg Lemon said the agency doesn’t have a position on the petition the agency has invested $42,000 into work to develop a shooting range A public hearing on the petition will be scheduled on or before June 19, but only if requested. Objections may be provided via email to dnrcclosurepetition@mt.gov or by mailing a letter to: Central Land Office the DNRC will issue a written decision to grant The petitioners said few people visited the public land until about 15 years ago use has steadily increased with sometimes as many as 30 people at the site The Gallatin Valley doesn’t have a free public shooting range one reason FWP was proposing to develop one at the site have been closed to target shooting since 2012 out of concern for recreationists’ safety In response to repeated complaints to DNRC the petition said the agency instituted temporary shooting restrictions on one section of land in 2022 and has seasonally closed the acreage from April 15 to June 30 since 2023 the landowners maintain that conditions remain unsafe A DNRC spokesperson said petitions to close state land are uncommon The agency will base its decision on the petition and public comments and may undertake an independent investigation There are some state lands closed to the public, which can be viewed online. Some of the reasons for closures include wildlife protection noxious weed control and to prevent significant environmental impacts Email notifications are only sent once a day TSA public affairs specialist Lorie Dankers at the Billings airport demonstrates the correct procedure to pack and travel with a firearm on a … Last year’s 38 agreements provided 67 free elk tags Out of the 61 who responded to a request for information The issue will be addressed by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission at its June 19 meeting More details can be found on the commission’s … Yellowstone recorded a record-high number of bear jams — 499 with grizzly bears and another 760 black bear gridlocks Wyoming and Idaho saw only one avalanche fatality each this winter The Wyoming incident occurred in the Togwotee Pass area on Jan Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account BOZEMAN — May 6 is the last day to turn in your ballots for the Gallatin County School and Special Districts election These elections have a historically low voter turnout but they can have a big impact on local schools and public safety resources County Clerk and Recorder Eric Semerad says of the over 75,000 ballots that have been sent out to Gallatin County and special district residents Officials with the Three Forks School District have expressed great need for the $268,000 mill levy that they say would help fund operational costs and staff salaries the district says they have already made significant budget cuts to balance expenses For the combined cost of both the high school and middle school levy the economic impact for taxpayers with a $100,000 home would be $18.49 yearly they say the high school technology levy would fund critical updates to the district’s technology and tools for learning Ballots were mailed to the following districts: The deadline to turn in your ballot is May 6 at 8 p.m.Visit the Three Forks website for more information on their mill levy Visit the Gallatin County election webpage for more information on the election and where to drop off your ballot BOZEMAN — As downtown Bozeman buzzes with energy, local businesses are rallying behind a cause close to home: Give Big Gallatin Valley, the region’s largest annual giving celebration With festivities officially kicking off at 6 p.m. one women-led business is already leading the charge in community spirit a lifestyle boutique known for its curated gifts and apparel The store has been involved with Give Big since its inception and remains a proud sponsor “Heyday has been involved as a company since Give Big started We love being a sponsor of this event and seeing the generosity of our community to support local charities,” says Andrea But Heyday’s commitment to giving goes beyond the event Giving back is woven into the very fabric of the shop’s culture we each get to pick a charity of our choice and she donates in our individual names for that specific charity,” Andrea says a local nonprofit supporting seniors in the Gallatin Valley They are such a valuable resource and source of knowledge for us and we should support them in any way we can,” Andrea says Give Big raised an astonishing $3.1 million for area nonprofits roughly 250 organizations are hoping to feel that same outpouring of support Looking ahead to the event’s busiest day on Friday Heyday is eager to welcome shoppers and donors alike normally with more of it happening during our store hours on Friday and we just look forward to seeing everyone come out and support their favorite charity,” Andrea says For more information on how you can "Give Big", visit the Give Big Gallatin Valley website BOZEMAN — The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office said a woman was found dead east of Bozeman on Tuesday The Sheriff's Office said in a media release that the woman has been identified as Bozeman resident Lisa Gillette; her next of kin have been notified deputies and emergency medical personnel responded around 2 p.m on Tuesday to a report of a dead body in the Moffit Gulch area Gillette was reportedly found dead at the scene The release says foul play is not suspected at this time but the investigation will continue until the Sheriff/Coroner determines the cause and manner of death The Sheriff's Office extended its "deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ms We will update you if we get more information BOZEMAN — Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer is considering a proposal from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to use space in the county's detention center as a temporary holding facility ICE has requested 10 beds to temporarily house inmates being transferred into the federal court system Sheriff Springer says the federal agency would pay $135 per day for each bed which is the full cost of housing an inmate at the detention center "It's 72 hours; it's my understanding that they would kind of move them along into the next process which is down to the court systems in either Salt Lake or Las Vegas," Springer said "So this was really just more of a holding for a couple days to get them transferred down but the 10 beds would be guaranteed contracted bed days all year long." Springer says to ensure adequate room is available he has asked to have inmates from the Department of Corrections returned to the state prison in Deer Lodge The Gallatin County Commission must approve the agreement before it can take effect Commissioners have established several requirements that must be met no contract has been signed by either ICE or the county commissioners You can read the full response to ICE's request from the Gallatin County Commission below.This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy (WTVF) — A Gallatin high school senior has rehearsed thousands of lines for dozens of roles throughout his young acting career Ahead of his lead role in Station Camp High School's performance of The Wedding Singer he was also handed the toughest role of all — one you can't even audition for I was on my way to an indoor soccer match and I just looked at my mom and I was like “He likes to take on every single role," said Leah Miller the theater teacher at Station Camp High School the first night of the school's performance and then we chatted for close to 45 minutes a few days after the Sunday matinee So I asked him: "what is Cole Harris' character?" His response: "Amazing good looking guy," he said while laughing That laugh and sense of humor reminded me how he's so full of love and life — and it hasn't always been so easy for him “My sister got leukemia when I was 12," he said She needed a bone marrow transplant to save her life “I was the closest match when they asked me to do it," he said "I didn’t think – for a second because – why would I?” “I don’t think there’s any – strength or courage that comes with that Cole donated his bone marrow and Meredith is thriving in her early teenage years “Doing the show – gave people something else to think about other than whatever is going on in their lives," Cole said I briefly spoke with Meredith ahead of the show She told me she wanted to be here to support her brother while acknowledging how hard he has been working for this moment — to be the star in the show in his senior year “You should always try to do what you love even when you feel like – you can’t," Cole said This performance packs more than a plot — it deserves a front row seat it makes it so – everything worth it," Miller said "Getting to just see them be successful and to see Cole happy and really excited and having his whole family in the front row like cheering him on and it’s just amazing.” I was like – three weeks out of having my brain tumor removed," Cole said Cole was diagnosed with a brain tumor just before Christmas He underwent surgery to remove the tumor and began more than 30 rounds of radiation “He noted that his right side of his face felt a little bit funny," said Dr a pediatric oncologist with Monroe Carell Jr “Thought like – the worst is behind us and then this happens," Cole said "Nothing can prepare you for what you’re not expecting.” “This is a malignant tumor – this is a cancerous type of tumor," Pastakia said Despite bouncing between radiation treatments and rehearsals He wasn't going to stop doing what he loved An understudy wasn't going to be necessary “I gave it my all and I left everything I had on the stage," Cole said “You’re putting your whole heart into something," he added "And once you see the product that you get There are some parts of life you can prepare for — others you can't he deserves a round of applause and a final bow for showing us character that no script could ever capture Do you have an inspirational story you'd like to share You can email me at Austin.Pollack@newschannel5.com Rebecca: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/a2/d9/fb69982545c59e9836fbe80fe431/rebecca-recommends.png Carrie: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/2e/72/be0f23854c54a228c9d6138c9847/carrie-recommends-header.png Ben: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/df/c4/19fa7c504480938f39a431e3b276/ben-recommends-header.png Rhori: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/5b/25/a224d13d47739165c92b94e643db/rhori-recommends-header.png Lelan: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/af/54/833bf879454097a398bd44f723de/lelan-recommends.png I'm not sure there is a story that's brought a bigger smile to our faces than this one celebrating Ms The story of her service during World War II is amazing in itself — she is a true Rosie the Riveter What was also amazing was to see was how an entire community turned out to celebrate her By Kassidy Brown and Tony GarciaPublished: Apr 2025 at 7:20 PM CDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInGALLATIN (WSMV) - Two people were shot after gunfire erupted during an Easter party thrown by a Gallatin resident with known gang ties on Sunday Officers with the Gallatin Police Department responded to a home on South Maple Avenue on Saturday around 7:30 p.m The residence belongs to 66-year-old Henry Apple known in the area as “Skully,” who Gallatin PD said has a long history of trafficking drugs and gang involvement Apple was hosting an Easter party at his home when gunfire erupted on Sunday Officers found the two injured individuals upon arriving at the scene and orchestrated their transport to the hospital for treatment Multiple agencies responded to the scene to assist with the investigation which led to the capture and arrest of 22-year-old Ladavious Williams at a home on South Ford Street The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the arrest Gallatin PD reports that Williams is also a Gallatin native with confirmed gang ties and a long history of criminal activity Williams is charged with attempted criminal homicide and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon Apple was charged with drug possession and possessing drug paraphernalia The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing Here are instructions on how to watch WSMV4 live on various platforms — NBC MT Today: Reflecting on legislative session — Gallatin County is in early discussions with U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement to provide county detention center beds for undocumented immigrants ICE reached out to Sheriff Dan Springer about using 10 beds at the facility to hold people who are making their way to their process hearings Springer said the detention center has the capability to meet the need “We’ve been able to keep our numbers at a fairly decent average because of the way we run our program there at the detention center,” said Springer The detention center has a capacity of 200 beds and fills 168 beds per day on average the facility has a 15% rate of people returning meaning most offenders don't come back This is a much lower rate than the national average of 50% Springer said he reached out to the Department of Corrections and the agency is willing to get their inmates out of Gallatin County and into the prison system sooner to open up space for ICE beds NBC Montana spoke to Commissioner Scott MacFarlane who said the county isn’t interested in doing anything above and beyond what they’re currently doing now but the county is open to a contract negotiation under the following terms: MacFarlane said if Springer brings a contract for consideration the proposed plan will be discussed in a future Commission meeting — Jada Davis took a visit to Eastern Washington University back in October of 2024 but it stood out compared to other visits she took in her recruiting process "It just felt like home," Davis said about her visit "Being able to walk around campus and feel safe around there being able to just have fun with group while I was there They kind of just brought me in as one of their teammates." But it wasn't until Eagle women's head basketball coach Joddie Gleason visited Davis inside Brick Breeden Fieldhouse for the Class AA State Tournament that made the decision for her "We were just able to talk and she was like and it was great to see you,'" Davis said on Gleason visiting Bozeman Eastern was really fun when I went to visit them,' and so it kind of just felt like home when I went there." Davis officially announced her commitment to Eastern Washington on her Instagram page on Apr She chose the Eagles over offers from Montana State What helped in her decision are the Montana freshman that made an impact for Eastern Washington this past season Sentinel alum Kourtney Grossman averaged 2.8 points off the bench in 29 games while Billings West product Kourtney Grossman started 23 of 30 games averaging 10.5 points and 10.5 rebounds to earn Big Sky Freshman of the Year Davis even talked to Grossman over the phone about why she chose Eastern Washington "It takes a lot of work to play there all four years "I am fully confident being able to go in there Although Davis is moving six hours out of state to a Cheney it's far enough for her create her own path in college while still being able to come back home and play in front her family in friends I think it would be an easy choice to pick home and stay where it's going to be safe and less risk and her taking this risk of leaving and her spreading her wings is really I'm proud of her for that," Jada's mother Bradi Chapman said so being able to have my friends and family come for like a four drive or right here in the backyard is really nice I'm excited for that," Davis said Davis can now relax and enjoy the game that she loves Davis will play her senior season for Gallatin hoping to make it back-to-back Class AA State titles "I just want to have fun," Davis said "Now being able to have like all of the pressure and all the stress relieved and justbe able to go out there one more year and show out before I go to college." "I'm just hoping that she can be proud of herself because we are all really proud of her," Chapman said "She hasn't had the easy road; she's had some significant injuries and she has come out stronger every single time I just think that she's making her dreams come true regardless of the different obstacles and adversity she's faced She's come out on top and this is just the beginning Davis graduates from Gallatin High School in May of 2026 and will enroll at Eastern Washington University for summer practices before her collegiate career begins in the fall — Gallatin senior Olivia Klemann walked off her home field Wednesday doing what no Raptor has done before: throw a no-hitter It's the first no-hitter in Klemann's career as the Raptors defeated Billings Skyview 5-0 It's also Gallatin's first shutout of the season using what was working and just trusting it," Klemann said on what clicked in the circle just making sure it got off the plate and get them to swing at something." Klemann notched four strikeouts but doesn't deserve all the credit as the Raptor defense helped her to capture this milestone for the program there was no doubt I knew they were getting it," Klemann said about her teammates' performances and I had no doubt when it went up in the air or on the ground." Klemann was originally throwing a perfect game until the sixth inning full-count walk to Kaitlyn Dupre for the Falcons' first and only baserunner of the game Zoe Bassham opened the scoring for Gallatin with a leadoff home run in the first inning An Adyson Ryles RBI double and a Klemann RBI groundout in the second inning extended the lead to 3-0 The Raptors capped off the scoring in the fourth inning with back-to-back RBI singles from Klemann and Parker Stevens Klemann finished 2 of 4 with 2 RBIs to go along with her no-hitter But it won't take long for Gallatin (9-4) and Skyview (6-7) to meet again on the diamond The Raptors visit the Falcons on Thursday at 3 p.m A few showers this evening with mostly clear conditions overnight According to the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office Helen Ayotte has been found and safe following a traffic stop in Bozeman – The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is reaching out to the public to help locate 15-year-old Helen Ayotte with green eyes and medium-length dark brown hair and a black-and-white checkered Vans ballcap Authorities suspect Helen might be traveling in a 2022 silver Nissan Kicks with Montana license plates The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information about Helen’s whereabouts or who sees the described vehicle to call 406-582-2100 or dial 911 immediately Your assistance could be crucial in ensuring Helen's safe return home there are no recent results for popular commented articles Would you like to receive our daily news? Signup today Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: — Health officials confirm five cases of measles in Gallatin County These mark the first cases in the state since 1990 the Gallatin City-County Health Department is investigating the cases which they say are in children and adults exposed to measles outside of Montana All are said to be unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status “While it is unfortunate to have cases of measles after 35 years of disease inactivity in Montana we have been working diligently with our local partners to prepare,” DPHHS public health physician Dr Maggie Cook-Shimanek said in a press release “We are confident that our public health and clinical partners will work together and address this situation as quickly as possible It is important for everyone to know their vaccination status and to visit with their health department or health care provider if they are unsure.” Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services released the following information: The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) are reporting Montana’s first cases of measles since 1990 The GCCHD is investigating five confirmed cases of measles The individuals are children and adults who were exposed to measles while traveling outside of Montana The cases reside in Gallatin County and are currently isolated at home The GCCHD continues to assess any potential exposures while the individuals were contagious and are contacting the people who may have been exposed People potentially exposed are being provided with information about the exposure date and disease symptoms to watch out for The GCCHD has determined that there are points of exposure to the general public. Potential exposures to the public can be found on the GCCHD website and will be updated as needed or as more information becomes available The spread of measles can occur before people know they have the disease The times listed on the website include the period when the exposure occurred and two hours after Individuals who are immune to measles through vaccination or were born before 1957 are not considered at risk for infection Individuals without prior measles infection or vaccination have a 90% likelihood of contracting the disease if exposed we have been working diligently with our local partners to prepare,” said DPHHS Public Health Physician If you are unsure of your vaccination status Measles is a highly infectious airborne disease that typically begins with a fever and a red rash that appears about 14 days after exposure The rash usually starts on the face and spreads downward to the rest of the body It is particularly dangerous for infants for whom vaccination is generally not recommended until 12 months of age Maintaining a high level of vaccination in the community helps protect infants who are too young to be vaccinated as well as individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons “Measles is highly contagious and highly preventable with vaccination and ensuring people are immunized remains our best defense If people are unable to find their vaccine records there are no contraindications to receiving an additional dose,” said Dr Measles continues to be prevalent in many regions worldwide resulting in an estimated 300 deaths every day are generally rare but have been increasing in recent years The best way to protect against measles is vaccination No changes have been made to the existing measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine recommendations in the United States a measles-containing vaccine that protects against measles are 97 to 99 percent effective in preventing measles Measles vaccines have been available in the U.S and two doses have been recommended for children since 1989 please call your primary care physician as soon as possible please call 406-582-3100 to make an appointment “We are actively working with individuals who are experiencing symptoms,” said Lori Christenson “We greatly appreciate the cooperation of those involved in helping mitigate further exposures We encourage anyone who is not vaccinated or unsure of their vaccination history to consider vaccination and to contact your health care provider or GCCHD By getting vaccinated we protect ourselves and others around us from infection.” For more information about measles and the measles vaccine, visit the state health department’s website. Additional information can also be found on the CDC’s website the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) confirmed five cases of measles here in Gallatin County "I want people to take the risk of this seriously measles is the most contagious infection in the world," says Peter Bulger medical director of the county health department and an infectious disease doctor for Bozeman Health permanent disability in the form of brain damage particularly amongst children—in pretty high rates when you compare it to other diseases," he says The five new cases are the first to be recorded in Montana since the 1990s prompting me to ask the health department’s Lori Christenson—how has it come back "MMR vaccination rates have declined over the years we do have higher rates in our 13 to 17-year-olds in Montana; that’s above nationwide averages we have lower vaccination rates in our younger populations than nationwide data," says Christenson Bulger tells me that the MMR vaccine had essentially eradicated measles from the U.S it has had a decades-long track record of being highly safe and effective "If you’ve had two shots of the MMR vaccine anytime in your life This is one of our most successful and strongest vaccines that we have," says Bulger Bulger says they are confident in preventing a COVID-level outbreak thanks to high rates of already vaccinated people we had a population that was 100% susceptible to that virus That’s not the case with measles; we have pretty good rates of vaccination throughout our population," he says Visit the Healthy Gallatin website for more information UPDATE — Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) have confirmed five cases of measles in Gallatin County According to a DPHHS press release they are Montana’s first cases of measles since 1990 and are in children and adults who were exposed to measles while traveling outside of Montana The individuals reside in Gallatin County and are isolating at home The release says all five individuals are unvaccinated GCCHD is assessing any potential exposures and contacting those who may have been exposed GCCHD has listed potential points of exposure on its website and will continue to update the list as needed or more information becomes available. According to the release, measles, a highly infectious airborne disease, can spread before people know they have it and before any rash appears. Those without prior infection or vaccination have a 90% likelihood of contracting measles if exposed. If you are unsure of your vaccination status, health officials recommend these steps: The release says measles typically begins with a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, white spots in the mouth, and a red rash that appears about 14 days after exposure.Health officials recommend vaccination as the best way to protect against measles. Anyone seeking vaccination is urged to call your primary care physician as soon as possible, or schedule an appointment with GCCHD for the MMR vaccine by calling 406-582-3100. BOZEMAN — The Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) says it has been notified of a possible measles case in Gallatin County. GCCHD said in an email to MTN News the department is "actively investigating and will provide information to the public as soon as possible." According to the email, GCCHD is currently contacting anyone who may have been exposed and providing help as needed. The health department says appointments to receive vaccine against the measles are available by calling 406-582-3100. No further information is currently available. We will keep you updated as we learn more. A fatal two-vehicle accident occurred on Thursday, April 17, at approximately 5:50 p.m. on U.S. Highway 191 near mile marker 68, resulting in the death of one motorist and damage to a Big Sky Fire Department ambulance.  Just before 6 p.m., Big Sky Fire Department, Gallatin Gateway Fire Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department, Gallatin County Coroner’s Office and the Montana Department of Transportation responded to  crash in Gallatin Canyon, close to Storm Castle. The accident involved a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck and Big Sky Fire Department ambulance. The coroner’s office identified the deceased Friday morning as Jozie Beth Hrenchir, 48, of Gallatin Gateway.  According to the accident report from Montana Highway Patrol, Hrenchir was northbound when she failed to navigate a curve, drifted in front of the oncoming ambulance and the vehicles collided. The Tacoma exited the road and overturned, and its driver, Hrenchir, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants of the ambulance sustained minor injuries. Gallatin County Sheriff’s Sargent Dan Haydon confirmed that canyon was closed for about two-and-a-half hours while the scene was cleared. At this time, it has not been determined whether speed, impairment, or other factors contributed to the crash. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy,” Sheriff Dan Springer stated in an April 18 press release. According to the Big Sky Fire Department, the ambulance was in transit to Big Sky from an inter-facility transfer from Bozeman Deaconess Regional Medical Center. The ambulance suffered “significant damage,” according to BSFD’s Division Chief of Operations Jeff Bolton, and is under assessment. This incident is under investigation by Montana Highway Patrol. ©2024 Outlaw Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved. An ordinance was passed authorizing a contract for tree trimming services with Aerodynamic Lawn and Tree Cuts City Administrator and City Clerk Crystal Dorrel stated the $20,000 contract covers 2025 The company will trim trees away from power lines Dorrel presented a bid from Cabra Construction for weather sealing at city hall and the water plant She said weather sealing is typically done every five years and 2024 marks the five-year point since the last application The board chose to continue collecting bids before making a decision Street Supervisor Jeff Johnson discussed loader repairs and asked whether the city should purchase an extended warranty The board chose not to purchase the extended warranty Dorrel presented an application for a part-time street position The board directed her to contact the applicant and schedule an interview Meeting dates for May were changed due to scheduling conflicts and holidays and the May 26 meeting was rescheduled to May 27 Dorrel and Johnson reviewed a list of streets the city is considering for chip sealing in 2025 Clint Lewis of Vance Brothers met with Johnson and provided a rough estimate The cost for 1.64 miles was quoted at approximately $8.09 per yard while 2.36 miles would be about $6.30 per yard Lewis explained that pricing would decrease as more road miles are included Dorrel raised concerns about completing street work while the water line project remains underway She plans to review project plans and compare them with the proposed street projects before providing an update to the board Electric Supervisor Chris Plant presented a bid from Scobee for replacing seven electric poles in Gallatin These include high-voltage poles and poles that require significant manpower to replace Plant stated he would continue to gather bids from additional companies and report back The water department is continuing work on the water project The wastewater department jetted 500 feet of sewer line and employees attended a meeting with Smico about lining manholes The electric department set a pole for the new 911 building and Department of Natural Resources reporting Staff also participated in a Missouri Public Utility Alliance meeting via Zoom The street department completed ditch work No action was taken following a closed session A recent press release by the Gallatin City-County Health Department has confirmed two additional measles cases among household members of previously identified cases in Gallatin County bringing the total number of Gallatin County cases to seven.  These individuals, who were not immunized against measles, were being monitored for symptoms while isolating at home. Currently, there is no evidence of community transmission or new public exposure sites. No cases have been connected to schools or daycares. Information on previous exposure locations is available on the GCCHD website “As we continue to work with our community to monitor these cases we want to recognize the diligence and care shown by those affected,” Lori Christenson “Their cooperation has been invaluable in helping us identify and monitor cases swiftly demonstrating a commitment to protecting the health of our community We also want to extend our gratitude to our partners across Gallatin County and the state of Montana who have worked together closely to support our response efforts,” Christenson stated “We encourage everyone to take preventative steps by consulting their healthcare providers about the MMR vaccine which offers robust protection against measles.” Measles is a highly infectious airborne disease followed by a red rash starting on the face and spreading downward A measles infection can also result in serious complications who are generally not eligible for vaccination until 12 months of age.  GCCHD will be hosting a vaccination clinic in West Yellowstone on Wednesday, April 30 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Billings Clinic West Yellowstone Clinic. The event will offer a variety of vaccines, including MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and other routine immunizations. Walk-ins are welcome, no insurance is required and appointments can be made on the GCCHD website Individuals without prior immunity to measles have a 90% chance of contracting the disease if exposed GCCHD recommends consulting a healthcare provider about one’s immunity status if unknown High vaccination rates within the community protects those who cannot be vaccinated including infants and individuals with medical exemptions.  For more information about MMR vaccinations or to schedule an appointment, visit the GCCHD website or call 406-582-3100 BOZEMAN — Voters across Gallatin County will weigh in on several issues during the 2025 school elections Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder/Surveyor 75,349 ballots have been mailed to voters - 1,672 out of county (Broadwater and Madison counties; 58 landowners ballots; 15,856 Belgrade School District and 51,233 Bozeman School District Manhattan School District is not holding elections this cycle Semerad told MTN News that voters who haven't received their ballots by Thursday should contact the Clerk and Recorder's office Lauren Dee and Sarah Wilson have filed for those seats and will appear on the ballot but they are running unopposed and will fill the open seats Bozeman voters will also decide the fate of several levy requests the school district has four open board positions: three 3-year term positions and one 1-year term position.The candidates for 2025 are: Voters will also weigh in on two general operating levies for the Belgrade School District: the total anticipated tax impact for homes valued at $100,000 is $2.07 per year voters will decide the fate of three school district levies: only voters who live in the districts listed below will receive a ballot If you do not reside within one of these school or special districts you will not receive a ballot for this election.School Districts For a look at the sample ballots for this election, click here. by NBC Montana Staff and The Associated Press — Health officials in Gallatin County have reported two additional measles cases bringing the total number of infections in the area to seven The new cases are household members of previously identified patients according to the Gallatin City-County Health Department Officials stated that the newly infected individuals were not vaccinated against the highly contagious disease They "were being monitored for symptoms while isolating at home," said GCCHD a vaccination clinic is scheduled to take place at the Billings Clinic - West Yellowstone on Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m The following was sent out by Gallatin City-County Health Department: The Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) has confirmed two additional measles cases among household members of previously identified cases in Gallatin County bringing the total number of cases to seven were being monitored for symptoms while isolating at home there is no evidence of community transmission or new public exposure sites No cases have been connected to schools or daycares Information on previous exposure locations is available on the GCCHD website "As we continue to work with our community to monitor these cases we want to recognize the diligence and care shown by those affected," said Lori Christenson "Their cooperation has been invaluable in helping us identify and monitor cases swiftly We also want to extend our gratitude to our partners across Gallatin County and the state of Montana who have worked together closely to support our response efforts Thank you for your dedication to keeping Gallatin County safe and healthy We encourage everyone to take preventative steps by consulting their healthcare providers about the MMR vaccine which offers robust protection against measles." Maintaining high vaccination rates within the community protects those who cannot be vaccinated including infants and individuals with medical exemptions Measles is a highly infectious airborne disease with initial symptoms including fever Measles infection can also result in serious complications who are generally not eligible for vaccination until 12 months of age the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has not recommended any changes to the routine vaccine schedule The following was sent out by The Associated Press: With one-fifth of states seeing active measles outbreaks according to figures posted Friday by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The CDC's confirmed measles cases count is 884 The now three-month-long outbreak in Texas accounts for the vast majority of cases The outbreak has also spread to New Mexico and Oklahoma Two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children died from measles-related illnesses in the epicenter in West Texas and an adult in New Mexico who was not vaccinated died of a measles-related illness Other states with active outbreaks — defined as three or more cases — include Indiana North America has two other ongoing outbreaks has resulted in 1,020 cases from mid-October through Wednesday the Mexican state of Chihuahua state had 761 measles cases and one death according to data from the state health ministry The World Health Organization has said cases in Mexico are linked to the Texas outbreak Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes and has been considered eliminated from the U.S health experts fear the virus that the spread could stretch on for a year Here's what else you need to know about measles in the U.S How many measles cases are there in Texas and New Mexico Texas state health officials said Tuesday there were 17 new cases of measles since Friday bringing the total to 663 across 26 counties — most of them in West Texas The state also added 23 hospitalizations to its count Tuesday saying they were from earlier in the outbreak State health officials estimated about 1% of cases — fewer than 10 — are actively infectious Sixty percent of Texas' cases are in Gaines County where the virus started spreading in a close-knit The county has had 396 cases since late January — just over 1.5% of the county's residents The April 3 death in Texas was an 8-year-old child Health officials in Texas said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of “what the child's doctor described as measles pulmonary failure.” A unvaccinated child with no underlying conditions died of measles in Texas in late February — Kennedy said age 6 Seven people have been hospitalized since the outbreak started Most of the state's cases are in Lea County Three are in Eddy County and Chaves and Doña Ana counties have one each State health officials say the cases are linked to Texas’ outbreak based on genetic testing New Mexico reported a measles-related death in an adult on March 6 Indiana confirmed two more cases April 21 in an outbreak that has sickened eight in Allen County in the northeast part of the state — five are unvaccinated minors and three are adults whose vaccination status is unknown The cases have no known link to other outbreaks the Allen County Department of Health said last week Kansas was steady last week with 37 cases in eight counties in the southwest part of the state Gray and Morton counties have fewer than five cases each Haskell County has the most with eight cases is linked to the Texas outbreak based on genetic testing State health officials say the cases are tied to Canada’s large outbreak in Ontario The state has nine confirmed measles cases as of Friday but the remaining four are not part of the Montcalm County outbreak Montana state health officials announced five cases April 17 in unvaccinated children and adults who had traveled out of state and confirmed it was an outbreak on Monday All five are isolating at home in Gallatin County in the southwest part of the state They are Montana’s first measles cases in 35 years Health officials didn’t say whether the cases are linked to other outbreaks in North America The Ohio Department of Health confirmed 32 measles cases in the state Thursday The state count includes only Ohio residents There are 16 cases in Ashtabula County near Cleveland 14 in Knox County and one each in Allen and Holmes counties said there are a total of 20 people with measles but seven of them do not live in the state Oklahoma added two cases Tuesday: 12 confirmed and three probable The first two probable cases were “associated” with the West Texas and New Mexico outbreaks The state health department is not releasing which counties have cases Oklahoma and Sequoyah counties have had public exposures in the past couple of months There are eight measles cases in Erie County in far northwest Pennsylvania The county declared an outbreak in mid-April The state said Friday it has 13 cases overall in 2025 including international travel-related cases in Montgomery County and one in Philadelphia Tennessee has six measles cases as of Thursday Health department spokesman Bill Christian said all cases are the middle part of the state and that “at least three of these cases are linked to each other” but declined to specify further The state also did not say whether the cases were linked to other outbreaks or when Tennessee's outbreak started The state health department announced the state's first measles case March 21 three more on April 1 and the last two on April 17 but none of the news releases declared an outbreak Tennessee is on a list of outbreak states in a Thursday CDC report Where else is measles showing up in the U.S. There have been 884 cases in 2025 as of Friday Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska are frequently traced to someone who caught the disease abroad saw 1,274 cases and almost lost its status of having eliminated measles What do you need to know about the MMR vaccine The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old Getting another MMR shot is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to be revaccinated but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective measles vaccine made from “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose People who have documentation that they had measles are immune and those born before 1957 generally don’t need the shots because most children back then had measles and now have “presumptive immunity.” In communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — diseases like measles have a harder time spreading through communities But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots including an outbreak in Chicago that sickened more than 60 Measles first infects the respiratory tract The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.