On February 2, 2024, Gallatin County 911 received a call for an injured paraglider near Big Sky. The paraglider was “speed flying” when they hit a tree, fell roughly 20 feet and sustained a leg injury. A friend of the paraglider was able to call 911 to report the incident, set and splint the injured limb, and relay the patient’s location to emergency responders.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Big Sky Section responded to assist. It was determined the patient’s location was technically challenging terrain and a helicopter rescue would be the best course of action.

A helicopter rescue team from Central Copters Inc. responded to assist the injured paraglider. A short-haul rescue was performed. The patient was successfully transported to Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the injured paraglider’s friend for their quick action, and points to this incident as a reminder to extreme sport participants of the importance of having a trusted partner or group while engaging in high-risk sports.

BOZEMAN — The American Society of Civil Engineers’ Transportation and Development Institute has awarded Kelvin Wang its 2024 James Laurie Prize. Wang is the director of the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University and a professor of civil engineering in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. 

The award recognizes Wang’s “leadership in the advancement of transportation engineering research, including his outstanding contributions to the practice of advanced technologies of 3D laser imaging and AI-based solutions,” according to the ASCE.  

“Receiving the prestigious James Laurie Prize is a fitting recognition of Dr. Wang’s contributions to the transportation field,” said Craig Woolard, head of the Department of Civil Engineering. “We are fortunate to have Dr. Wang leading WTI and being part of the MSU Department of Civil Engineering.”  

Wang is known for his technological achievements in 3D laser imaging and associated artificial intelligence solutions for highway and airfield pavement surveys and bridge evaluations. He has more than 30 years of experience in transportation and civil engineering. 

“I thank ASCE for giving me the award, and my family, friends and colleagues who supported me in my career,” Wang said. “I hope this award will help me and MSU draw societal attention to the needs of transportation improvements, particularly in rural America.”  

Wang was named director of the Western Transportation Institute at MSU in 2023. Prior to joining MSU, he was Regents Professor and Dawson Chair of Civil Engineering at Oklahoma State University. He also previously served as president of ASCE’s Transportation and Development Institute. 

He was a highway engineer for the Arizona Department of Transportation for four years and a professor at the University of Arkansas for 18. In 2017 Wang received the prestigious Francis C. Turner Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers, and he was named a distinguished member of ASCE in 2021.  

WTI at Montana State is one of the nation’s largest transportation institutes focused on rural transportation issues, and it has twice been designated as a National University Transportation Center by the U.S. Department of Transportation. WTI has conducted research at local, state and federal levels in 35 states and 22 countries. 

On January 30, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office provided a press release where 49 road signs from various parts of the county had been stolen.  A Gallatin County citizen saw the press release and came forward with valuable information which ultimately led to the arrest and charge of one  18 year old Bozeman resident.  This investigation continues as deputies follow up on additional leads.  Currently, 46 of the 49 stolen road signs have been recovered from various locations in Gallatin County.  Sheriff Dan Springer thanks the public for their assistance in this case and reiterates, it is the trust and relationship with our community that is often the key to solving many of these cases.

Nonprofits located in or serving Gallatin County are invited to register for Montana’s largest 24- hour giving day hosted by One Valley Community Foundation.

Gallatin County, MT - Nonprofits across Gallatin County are invited to register for the landmark 10th annual Give Big Gallatin Valley, scheduled for May 2nd and 3rd, 2024. Hosted by One Valley Community Foundation, this 24-hour giving day has become a cornerstone event in the region, dedicated to supporting local nonprofits and celebrating their impact on communities in our region.

Over the past nine years, Give Big Gallatin Valley has raised over $14.3 million for 425 local nonprofits, making it the largest 24-hour giving day in Montana. In 2023 alone, 6,650 donors rallied together to contribute $2,923,009 to 250 nonprofits during Give Big. Celebrating a decade of generosity, One Valley hopes to break records again by raising $3 million during Give Big 2024.

This annual event plays a vital role in providing critical support to nonprofits of all sizes, empowering them to raise unrestricted funds, the most difficult and important type of funds to galvanize. By participating in Give Big, organizations gain access to a broad donor base, with funds raised sustaining essential programs and services. Reflecting on the impact of Give Big, Stevie Croisant from We Are HER, a participating organization from the 2023 event, emphasized, “As a 100% volunteer-run organization, Give Big is crucial for us to sustain our mission. During Give Big, we raise 40% of our annual operating budget. We're grateful to One Valley Community Foundation for making this community-wide fundraiser possible.”

Nonprofits located in or serving Gallatin Valley are encouraged to register for this year's event by visiting GiveBigGV.org before the March 15th deadline. One Valley Community Foundation offers a range of resources, including educational webinars and promotional materials, to assist nonprofits in maximizing their impact during the event.

"One Valley is thrilled to be hosting our 10th annual Give Big Gallatin Valley this year,” said Jill Ellwood, One Valley Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Programming and Relations Manager. “What began as a vision of raising $100,000 in 24 hours ten years ago has evolved into an event eagerly anticipated by our community each year. Witnessing the power of collective action and its profound impact on our local nonprofits is truly inspiring.”

With the continued growth of our community, local nonprofits face increasing service demands and funding needs. One Valley Community Foundation, in collaboration with the event’s headline sponsor, Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, invites community members from Bozeman to West Yellowstone to join forces at GiveBigGV.org on May 2nd and 3rd and celebrate the nonprofits that play a vital role in cultivating a strong and vibrant Gallatin County.

For more information and to register for Give Big Gallatin Valley, visit GiveBigGV.org.
About One Valley Community Foundation

Gallatin County is now accepting applications from projects seeking funding through the county’s Open Lands Program. 

This year, the voter-approved Open Space levy is estimated to bring in over $3.55 million total. While a majority of that money funds conservation projects, such as conservation easements for private landowners, about $887,000 has been earmarked by the Gallatin County Commission for “other eligible projects.” 

Applicants for projects that fall into the “other eligible projects” category are encouraged to apply for this funding from now through March 18. 

These projects must be related to land acquisition, capital improvements, and maintenance projects that support the purpose of the Gallatin County Open Space levy. Applicants must demonstrate how a proposed project is related to the provision of recreation, protection of water quality of streams and rivers, management of growth, or protection of wildlife areas. Projects must provide a tangible and compelling public benefit or provide public access, preferably both. 

Following the application process, the Open Lands Board will score submitted proposal and recommend projects to the Gallatin County Commission for final funding approval. 

Projects funded last year in this category included money for construction of a trail near West Yellowstone, maintenance of the Headwaters Trail System in Three Forks, a river and pond restoration project in Big Sky, land acquisition for Eagle Mount in Bozeman, Gallatin Valley Land Trust’s East-West connector trail project, and wildlife habitat and water quality improvements at the Gallatin County Regional Park. 

“This is a great way that we can collaborate with our community partners,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Jennifer Boyer. “I’m really excited that we continue to get a lot of interest in this funding opportunity and that it’s supporting projects across our county.” 

Eligibility, application instructions and submittal requirements are available online here.  

The maximum award for a project in this round is $100,000. Applicants are limited to public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and property owners’ associations. 

Applications must be submitted by 5 PM on March 18 to the Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development, 311 W. Main St., room 108, Bozeman MT, 59715. 

For questions or more information, contact Sean O’Callaghan at 406-582-3130 or sean.ocallaghan@gallatin.mt.gov. 

BOZEMAN — Accounting students from Montana State University’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship are offering free help preparing tax returns for MSU students and individuals who made less than $60,000 last year.

The 2024 help sessions will be held on the MSU campus in Jabs Hall, Room 215, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on the following dates: Feb. 21, 26, 28; March 4, 6, 18, 20, 25, 27; April 1.

Interested participants are encouraged to make an appointment to guarantee a spot. There will be a limited number of walk-in spots each day. Visit https://bit.ly/msu-vita-2024 to view and book available appointments. Only one appointment is allowed per individual – people with multiple bookings will be removed from all appointments on the schedule.

At the sessions, upper-division and graduate accounting students will prepare federal and Montana state income tax returns and answer tax questions. Free electronic filing will be available for most 1040 forms.  

“The mutually beneficial nature of this program is what makes it so special,” said Brian Gillespie, dean of MSU’s business college. “Students gain valuable real-world experience while providing an essential service for the local community.”

Individuals who are interested in free tax preparation assistance should bring their 2023 W-2 forms, Form 1099, Forms 1095-A, B or C (Health Insurance Marketplace Statements), any other tax documents, a photo ID, Social Security cards for each person listed on the return and copies of their 2022 tax returns, if available.

The student accounting volunteers are part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program, which was established by the Internal Revenue Service to assist people who may find it difficult to pay for tax preparation services.

Each student accounting volunteer has passed an IRS tax preparation exam, completed at least one comprehensive tax course, received specific training related to common tax issues and has access to a variety of federal and state reference materials. The sessions are sponsored by the MSU Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

For more information, visit https://www.montana.edu/business/accounting/vita/.

This June, voters in Gallatin County will get to decide if they’d like to study changing the form of their county government.  

On Tuesday, Jan. 30, Gallatin County Commissioners voted to put a question on the June 4 ballot asking voters if they’d like to establish and fund a study commission to examine Gallatin County government and make recommendations for changes. 

The Montana Constitution requires that every 10 years, each city and county government in the state ask their voters whether they want to undertake a review of their local government.  

If voters agree to establish and fund a study commission, seven citizens will be elected in a nonpartisan election in November to serve. They will be tasked with studying the existing form, powers and delivery of public services of our county government and compare those with other forms of government available under state law. 

If approved, the cost of the study commission would be capped at one half of one mill, which is equivalent to about $360,000. 

The last time voters opted to study Gallatin County government was in 1994. 

“This opportunity afforded by our state constitution is the only chance we as citizens get to take a hard look at the way our local governments operate,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Scott MacFarlane. “Everyone agrees that Gallatin County has many new and different challenges than we had decades ago, and perhaps the tools we use to address those challenges could use an update.” 

Since the local government review election is for cities and counties, voters who live within city/town limits of Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks and West Yellowstone will be presented with the question of whether to hold a local government review election twice (once for the county of residence and once for the city/town of residence.) 

For more information on this process, please see the Montana State University Local Government Center’s website. 

In a response to an uptick in street sign thefts throughout the area, Gallatin County officials are encouraging the public to report information related to these crimes. 

Last weekend, 49 street signs were stolen across Gallatin County. Simple signs cost $200 in time and materials apiece to replace. More complex signs can cost up to $3,000 if they are stolen or destroyed. 

The implications of these thefts extend beyond mere financial burdens. The absence of vital street signs poses a serious safety risk for drivers navigating our community. Moreover, the depletion of resources required for sign replacement diverts Gallatin County Road Department staff from essential projects, hampering the efficiency of vital public services. 

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to promptly report any instances of street sign theft. Additionally, citizens are urged to notify authorities if they observe county street signs in dorms, apartments, residences, garages, or other structures.

To report incidents or provide information, please contact the sheriff’s office non-emergency line at 406-582-2100. 

“These thefts not only burden our hardworking taxpayers but also pose unnecessary risks to our community,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer. “We sincerely appreciate the public’s collaboration in reporting this criminal activity.”

While homeowners can convert their backyards into beautiful gardens, renting an apartment comes with a different playbook. For the latter, having a garden may seem out of the equation.

Not anymore!

Are you familiar with the term “portable gardens”?

A portable garden is a container of plants, perfect for those with restricted growing space. It's easy to relocate, transition, and manage on the go. It’s ideal for growing edible crops and ornamental plants. These gardens help you get creative as restricted growing space shouldn’t limit what you can grow.

Creating a Portable Garden
While creating your garden on the go, first consider the limited space you have and how compact your plants of choice are. Do a bit of research to ensure that the plants will thrive under portable conditions.

When creating a portable garden, follow these steps:

1. Select Your Plants and Planter
This is the first step in any gardening venture. You should know what you’re planting and where you’ll be planting it. You don’t have any restrictions here; your garden on the go can lay on anything; a wheelbarrow or trolley, you name it!

2. Assemble Your Garden Bed
Form your garden frame and screw together anything that needs screwing. Line up your plants accordingly and ensure you leave some gaps so the soil drains well. If you’re buying a garden that’s already assembled, skip this step.

3. Do the Planting
Prepare your garden bed by filling it with good-quality soil. Spread it out evenly and add your plants gently. Remember, they’ll only grow well when they are planted the right way and are firmly rooted in the soil. If they feel stuck, gently tease the roots.

4. Get Moving
Once you have your plants in order, get moving! Wheel or carry your garden to the ideal spot, preferably, where there’s sufficient light.

Types of Portable Gardens
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to portable gardens. All you need is your creative thinking cap, a soil container, and your favorite plants. You could decide to go for ornamental plants, those that thrive in clay soil, or even make a herb garden, you choose!

Here are some different types of portable gardens to consider:

• Clay Pots
Albeit common, clay is an attractive and inexpensive option. As the pots are porous, they allow water and moisture to get to your plants easily. These pots are especially ideal for drought-resistant plants.

• Glazed Ceramic Pots
Ceramic pots are as beautiful as their clay counterparts. They are especially good for houseplants. While they hold moisture well, they are fragile and could crack in extreme temperatures.

• Hypertufa
This molded material is similar to rock concrete but it’s light in nature, fun to put together, and porous. It’s best for plants that require a lot of moisture.

• Plastic or Resin
Your plastic garden will be lightweight, weather-resistant- resistant and beautiful. While the garden will retain water well, place it firmly as it could tip over in windy conditions.

• Lined-Hanging Baskets
These containers are attractive and decorative. Line them with replaceable plastic so your soil is not drying out.

• Metal
Metal containers are lightweight, portable, and like plastic, won’t break down with temperature changes. But be careful, metal heats up quickly during summer and will cause the soil to dry out thus needing a lot of moisture.

• Wood
Wood is attractive, and temperature-resistant. As it rots over time, prepare to change the containers as needed.

Tips For Gardens on the Go
Growing a portable is a bit different from gardening on the ground up. As a container has limited soil and root space, it can become either waterlogged or too dry. To ensure your soil is in good condition, use a moisture meter. Compost and vermiculite will help with both drainage and water retention.

Ensuring your plants get enough light is also an important part of the equation. At least 6 hours of sunlight per day is essential but if you don’t have that much sun, it’s best to go for plants that thrive in shady conditions.

Also, plants should fit your container perfectly. If they are too large, they won’t grow properly and will overwhelm the other plants in your container. The good news is that container options are endless. Determine the plants you’ll be growing then research on the best container(s) to purchase. You can also reuse old items found in your home like baskets and upcycled wooden crates to grow your plants. This adds character and charm.

Finally, add wheels and cages to make the most of your portable garden. They will add dimension to an otherwise limited space. A garden that's a little raised will also give your plants better exposure to light and make watering the plants a tad much easier.