On March 17, 2023 at 4:45 pm, the West Yellowstone Dispatch Center received a call for a snowmobiler who crashed into a tree, disabling the snowmobile, near the West Yellowstone Airport. The snowmobiler was uninjured but needed assistance getting out of the woods. Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue – West Yellowstone Section responded to the scene on snowmobiles, assessed the rider at the scene, and returned the snowmobiler to town.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind riders that spring temperatures will create varying trail conditions requiring an extra level of caution in controlling snowmobiles. Be prepared for groomed snow to unexpectedly turn to ice or slush. In this event, the snowmobiler was wearing appropriate “personal protective equipment” which ensured the accident did not result in injury to the rider.

Photo courtesy of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

BOZEMAN — Montana State University music student Jacob Kittleson won the young artist brass category at the Music Teachers National Association Northwest Divisional Young Artist Performance Competition and will advance to the national competition March 25–29 in Reno, Nevada.

“It's very exciting to get the chance to perform,” said Kittleson, who is from Great Falls. “It’s just an incredible opportunity because they bring in these amazing judges, and the feedback we're able to get from an educational standpoint is so helpful.”  

Kittleson, a tuba player, beat state winners from Washington, Wyoming and Idaho in the regional competition and will now play against students from across the U.S.  

“It’s incredible to see Jake perform at such a high level, competing against undergraduate and graduate students at a national level,” said Jason Bolte, director of the MSU School of Music in the College of Arts and Architecture. “Competing at the MTNA National Competition is a testament to his work ethic, musicianship and the high-quality instruction he has received from our music faculty.”  

Kittleson, a senior majoring in music, said he first got interested in playing tuba in elementary school. 

“It was the largest and shiniest object in the (band) room,” Kittleson said, explaining that he was too small to play the tuba at first, so he played the euphonium until sixth grade. “(The tuba) has such a dark, warm sound that just envelops the room. I've pretty much stuck with it ever since.” 

Kittleson is no stranger to this national competition. In 2021, he competed virtually in the young artist brass category, along with MSU student violinist Cade Fiddaman, who competed in the young artist strings division. 

“I'm excited to finally do (the competition) in person, especially now that I’ve had a couple more years to develop my skills,” Kittleson said. The competition is being held in conjunction with the MTNA conference, and he hopes to attend performances and seminars as well.  

“There are going to be some great players to listen to, so I'm looking forward to that too,” he said. 

MSU associate professor Jeannie Little said Kittleson’s passion for the tuba has deepened through the years and makes him a wonderful musician. 

“Jake is immensely gifted,” she said. “During this upcoming competition, he’s the only tuba in a field of trumpets, horns and euphoniums. The tuba is a big and sometimes very unwieldy instrument. Jake makes it sing.”  

She said Kittleson has been heavily involved with many musical groups on MSU’s campus, including the Spirit of the West marching band and the Montanans choir.  

“He will play in every and any ensemble if you let him,” Little said, noting that Kittleson not only persevered but excelled during remote and socially distanced lessons for his first two years at MSU. “He's so excited and so curious about all things music, and that translates to learning new and difficult pieces.”  

At the competition, Kittleson will play a capriccio by Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki. The piece is designed for an unaccompanied tuba and is “very contemporary,” he said, adding that the piece’s tone is interesting because it has no time signature, a musical element that keeps a song on the proper beat.   

“It offers a lot of freedom to the performer,” he said. “One of the things I like most about it is how it hides in dance figures. There's one part where it's a waltz, but then it leaves off a beat and a dancer will be stumbling – it's always very sneaky with it.” 

Kittleson will graduate this spring and pursue a master’s degree of musical arts in tuba performance from Arizona State University. He credits his success to his teachers and opportunities at MSU. 

“MSU has just provided me so many opportunities for places to perform, and the faculty has just been amazing and supportive,” he said. “They've taught me so much, especially Dr. Little.”  

On March 15, 2023, at approximately 10:15 am, a multi-vehicle crash which included 6 vehicles and a semi-truck fully blocked Gallatin Road/US-191 at mile marker 66. A Gallatin County Sheriff’s deputy first arrived on scene at 10:48 am. At 11:23 am, Montana Department of Transportation closed Gallatin Road until the hazard could be cleared.  Due to the crash, approximately 6 miles of northbound traffic was backed up in the canyon. There were no injuries reported.  Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Big Sky Fire Department, and Montana Highway Patrol to man the roadblock at Gallatin Road and Lone Mountain Trail. Information regarding the closure was distributed by multiple first-responding agencies to the appropriate local media outlets to alert the public of the closure.  At approximately 2:38 pm, the hazard was cleared and the canyon was patrolled to ensure the road was safe to reopen.  There were 16 traffic incidents in the Big Sky area due to the weather between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm with no injuries reported.

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The rise in the number of unhoused people based in and around Bozeman has not gone unnoticed by many locals, and it’s an issue that deserves attention for a variety of reasons.

So is this influx likely to take some of the sheen away from the city’s reputation, and if so, what steps can be taken to address it?

Bozeman's Homeless Population: The Growing Problem

As Bozeman grows, so does its homeless population. In the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in homelessness that is slowly becoming more conspicuous.With an estimated 1000 people in need of shelter according to local organizations like Gallatin Valley Interfaith Associates and the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), this issue is one that needs immediate attention from both the community and government officials alike.

The rising cost of living means it’s increasingly difficult for low-income individuals and families to secure housing or even basic necessities such as food and clothing. This further contributes to homelessness, with many unable to find permanent housing due to economic constraints, or simply not having enough resources at their disposal.

It’s clear that something must be done now before we reach a tipping point where Bozeman’s idyllic image is no longer sustainable under these circumstances.

What Can We Do To Help? A Look at Local Solutions

It is essential that we come together as a community to tackle this problem. Fortunately, there are several local organizations and initiatives in place that aim to provide relief for those affected by homelessness.

For example, the HRDC runs emergency housing programs, such as the Housing First Village which helps individuals and families find temporary shelter while they get their lives in order and overcome other challenges they face.

The Gallatin Valley Interfaith Associates (GVIA) also offers various outreach services including providing meals or access to medical care on top of their case management program designed to help clients transition out of homelessness into sustainable living arrangements.

In addition, numerous volunteers have stepped up, whether it be hosting donation drives or offering food deliveries directly to people in need. These individuals demonstrate an incredible amount of compassion towards Bozeman’s most vulnerable population, and make a huge difference in countless lives every day.

All of this requires extensive technology to orchestrate and oversee, and it’s through tools like the HMIS database by Foothold Technology that it’s possible for government bodies and non-profits to better encompass the logistical obstacles involved in this process.

Exploring State Initiatives Aimed At Reducing Homelessness in Montana

The state of Montana has also been proactive when it comes to addressing homelessness. For instance, the Housing First Initiative is a program that provides permanent housing for those experiencing chronic homelessness and mental health issues, both of which are contributing factors to the current situation in Bozeman. This is being handled in tandem with the HDRC, as mentioned.

Additionally, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) currently runs homeless shelters across the state with plans to expand further going forward. This expansion includes additional funding towards supportive services, such as case management and employment assistance.

So as you can see there’s a unified effort, backed by various initiatives and technologies, going into ensuring that unhoused people are not overlooked in Bozeman, or more widely across the entire state.

Final Thoughts

When talking about homelessness, it’s important to put compassion at the top of the agenda. Bozeman is a city that has certainly done this, and the steps it has taken to retain its idyllic image have certainly borne fruit so far, which is good news for locals.

Helena, MT - The Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust (the Trust) and Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation (the Foundation) today announce multiple new land acquisitions which secure key public access for hunting, hiking and fishing and conserve critical lands to preserve Montana’s outdoor legacy for future generations.

The purchases were made possible through funding provided by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust. The Trust was established by the U.S. Congress in 1998 and funded from the sale of cabin sites on Canyon Ferry Reservoir, land previously leased from the Federal government. The Trust serves to provide a permanent source of grant funding for the acquisition of publicly accessible land in Montana which:

· Restore and conserve fisheries habitat, including riparian habitat,
· Restore and conserve wildlife habitat,
· Enhance public hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities, or
· Improve public access to public lands.

The Foundation serves as Trust manager and has increased its value from its original $14.9m to roughly $28m and now provides about $1m annually to high priority access sites in Montana.

Over the last year, Trust funding has supported key acquisition efforts such as:

40-Acre Tract West of Radersburg, MT

The 40-acre tract is located wholly within the Forest Service property west of Radersburg. The Forest Service has identified the acquisition of this undeveloped inholding property as critical to prevent the property from being sold and developed – which would adversely impact the wildlife value and public use of the surrounding Forest Service properties. The Foundation invested in this property with Trust funds and will hold until USFS has inholding dollars ready to purchase it at appraised value.

Big Snowy Mountains Acquisition- Golden Valley County

Through a model partnership effort between the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and dedicated landowners, this project is now in public ownership and managed by the MTFWP. The Property was previously owned by Forest Allen, a Montana rancher who donated the Property to the Montana-based Shodair Children’s Hospital (SCH) in 2019.

RMEF purchased the property and simultaneously conveyed it to the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. This project will result in a new Big Snowy Mountains Wildlife Management Area. The property will be available for public use once prepared for safe and managed usage.

Partial funding for the project was provided to the RMEF through a disbursement from the Trust.

Willow Creek Acquisition- Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area Addition-Deer Lodge County

Together with the RMEF, MTFWP and conservation-minded landowners, the 827-acre parcel of land will now be included in Montana’s largest Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The Property is adjacent to the WMA and contains winter and summer range and provides elk calving/fawning ground and open space. The property includes portions of both Willow Creek and Mill Creek and riparian areas.

Partial funding for the project was provided to the RMEF through a disbursement from the Trust.

Seymour Creek Big Hole River Acquisition- Deerlodge and Beaverhead Counties

The acquisition will open approximately 3,600 acres to public access and improve public access to surrounding state and federal land and provide access to the popular Big Hole River.

This Project was a national priority acquisition for the Montana/Dakotas BLM State Office and RMEF as it provides important elk, moose and mule deer habitat, and acquisition will protect a significant portion of the Big Hole River and riparian area along Seymour Creek.

Partial funding for the project was provided to the RMEF through a disbursement from the Trust.

About the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

The Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust was established by the U.S. Congress in 1998, funded by proceeds from the sale of cabin sites on Canyon Ferry Reservoir that had previously been leased from the Federal government. The purpose of the trust is to provide a permanent source of funding through grants for the acquisition of publicly accessible land in Montana.

By 2004, the initial value of this trust was $14,945,403. As of December 31, 2022 the value of the Trust has grown to approximately $28,204,079. Grants to date are $15,945,297.

The Trust is managed by Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation, as trustee.

About Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation

Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation is the primary non-profit partner of Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department. By working collaboratively with the state agency responsible for the management of Montana’s fish and wildlife resources and Montana’s state parks, the Foundation is assured the projects they support are scientifically sound and represent the highest priority conservation opportunities in the state.