SHERIFF'S RACE DOWN TO A SINGLE PRECINCT

PULASKI -- Incumbent Democratic sheriff Gene Dixon and former sheriff Republican Russell E. "Rusty" Dakin were locked in a close battle in Pulaski County balloting Tuesday night, with one precinct left to be counted.

With 13 of 14 precincts counted Dixon, who has served two terms as sheriff, had 1,336 votes, 51 more than Dakin, who served as Pulaski County sheriff eight years, from 1978 to 1986, before losing to Dakin by 300 votes.

The sheriff's race was one of four local races on the Pulaski County ballot Tuesday.

Other races were still up for grabs with the one remaining Olmsted precinct out.

In the county treasurer's race, Democrat Bonita "Kerr" Hancock trailed Republican Robert L. "Rob" Moore by 61 votes, 1,177-1,288.

In a four-man race for two commissioner positions, Republicans Jerry P. Thursday and Travis H. Rose Jr. were leading at 1,412 and 1,281 respectively. Democrats John E. Price and Eddie C. "Chase" Madison had 887 and 1,072 votes respectively.

In the race for circuit clerk, Republican Randy George had a comfortable lead over Democrat Kay Blanchard, 1,535-1,062.