Voters approve ballot measure

Voters in Jefferson County approved Tuesday a ballot measure that will permanently increase tax liability to generate an estimated $29,485 per year for the Jefferson Valley Search and Rescue in and the Elkhorn Search and Rescue. In results from the Montana Secretary of States web site, the measure passed by a vote of 2,413 to 1,020. In other local primary races, Steve Andersen and Dean Hilderbrand advanced to the November General Election in the race for Jefferson County Justice of the Peace. Andersen received 1,277 votes and Hildebrand finished second with 925 votes. Whitehall’s Larry Skogen just missed out on advancing with 789 votes. Whitehall resident Kevin Brunet received 293 votes.

In the race for State Representative in District 75, J. Bryher Herak defeated Joseph Calnan in the Democratic race by a vote of 804 to 483. In the Republican race, Greg Devries edged out Gregg Trude by a vote of 902 to 726.