ALEXANDER COMMISSIONER MAZE LOSES

CAIRO -- Democrat Louis Maze Tuesday lost his bid for a third term on the Alexander County Commission.

Maze, who trailed by as many as 281 votes with 16 of 19 precincts reporting, finished Tuesday night with 1,735 votes.He lost by 131 votes to Republican Joseph P. Thurston, who finished second among three candidates.

Democrat Charles "Chuck" Bonifield led a field of three candidates in the race for two commission positions, with 2,210 votes.

Rollie Matlock of McClure, whose term did not expire, is the third commissioner.

Democrat Warren "Buddy" Mitchell led the balloting in local Alexander County races Tuesday, piling up 2,413 votes to defeat Republican John L. Abercrombie, 2,413 to 1,009, claiming his fourth term as Alexander County sheriff.