6 March 12 - 25, 2021
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Explore Big Sky
U.K. COVID-19 variant in Gallatin County
Gianforte expands COVID-19 vaccine eligibility
GALLATIN MEDIA CENTER
EBS STAFF
BOZEMAN – The Gallatin City-County Health Department provided additional details on three cases of COVID-19 in Gallatin County that were classified as a variant strain of the virus. Based on contact tracing data associated with the cases, the following is known:
BIG SKY – Gov. Greg Gianforte addressed Montanans at a March 2 press conference, announcing that with the impending arrival of a third COVID-19 vaccine—the one shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine—that he is expanding eligibility, effective Monday, March 8.
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Under Phase 1B+, Montanans over the age of 60, as well as those 16 to 59 with liver disease and asthma, will be able to receive the vaccine. This will open eligibility for nearly 140,000 additional Montanans. He reminded viewers that despite the approval of the new vaccine, there still remains a shortage, and that those eligible may not be able to receive it immediately.
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All three cases are Gallatin county residents and live in different parts of the county; All three cases are under 50 years old; One case was hospitalized but is no longer in the hospital; All of the cases are recovered and have been released from isolation; The health department has not identified any evident connection between the three cases; None of the cases reported any recent travel history.
Health Officer Matt Kelley said the lack of connection between the cases and absence of travel history are indications that the variant form of the virus may be circulating widely in Montana, a fact that should not be surprising considering the variant has been detected in well over 40 other states. He said the identification of the cases should be a reminder to all Montanans why it’s important to continue taking precautions to prevent spread, including avoidance of large groups where social distancing is difficult, continued use of face coverings in public settings, staying home when sick, frequent and thorough hand washing, and getting the vaccine when available to you.
Jeremy Kopp selected as Gallatin County’s undersheriff GALLATIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
BOZEMAN – Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer has selected a sheriff ’s office captain to be his undersheriff. This week, Jeremy Kopp was chosen to be the next undersheriff for the Gallatin County Sheriff ’s Office. Undersheriff Kopp is a native Montanan who graduated from Anaconda Senior High School before beginning his career of service in the U.S. Army in 1994. That is where he found his professional calling in service to his country and later public service to his community with the Gallatin County Sheriff ’s Office. For the last ten years, Undersheriff Kopp has served the citizens of Gallatin County as a patrol deputy, coroner, crisis negotiator, sergeant of patrol and detective divisions, Search and Rescue Commander and, most recently, Captain of Patrol. He lives in the county with his wife of 25 years, who is a social worker, and two children who attend school in Three Forks. “It is an incredible honor to be entrusted with the appointment of Undersheriff,” said Kopp. “I am excited for the opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of Gallatin County and work with our great staff in this capacity. It is a great time to be in public service in Gallatin County as we face many opportunities with our continued growth.”
According to the COVID-19 state dashboard, as of March 9, morning, about 314,522 total doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered statewide, with 117,763 Montanans fully inoculated.
Yellowstone Club Snowmaking Project on track for 2021-22 ski season EBS STAFF
BIG SKY – Eleven years after the Water Solutions Forum was convened in Big Sky, a proposed solution to reclaimed wastewater issues is coming to fruition. At the March 9 Big Sky County Water and Sewer District board meeting, Rich Chandler, environmental manager at the Yellowstone Club gave a presentation on the current status of the YC’s project to make snow with treated wastewater. After talking with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality in 2018 and receiving strong support for the project, the YC is now engaged in the process to obtain a permit to use wastewater in this way. Permits of this sort have been issued in other states, but this would be the first one in Montana. The project will make use of 25 million gallons of wastewater to make enough snow to cover 55 skiable acres in an 18-inch base of snow. According to Chandler in his presentation, 75 to 80 percent of the wastewater would be sourced from the water and sewer district and 20 percent would come from the club. The goal is to have the snowmaking project up and running for the 202122 ski season.
