PULASKI SHERIFF WINS AGAIN

PULASKI, Ill. -- Democrat Gene Dixon, who was first elected Pulaski County sheriff in 1986, will have one more four-year term in office.

Dixon, who has said he will retire following this term, defeated a former Pulaski county sheriff, Republican Russell E. "Rusty" Dakin, Tuesday by a margin of 144 votes.

The race was not decided until the final precinct reported. With 13 of 14 precincts in, Dixon led by only 51 votes. The 1994 race was much closer than the 1986 election, when Dixon defeated then-sheriff Dakin by a 300-vote margin.

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

Republican Randy George led all local candidates with 1,663 votes to defeat Democrat Kay Blanchard to fill an unexpired two-year term for circuit clerk. Blanchard received 1,295 votes.

In the race for county treasurer, Republican Robert L. "Rob" Moore defeated Democrat Bonita "Kerr" Hancock by a narrow vote, 1,456 to 1,397.

In a four-man race for two county commission positions, Republicans Jerry P. Thurston and Travis H. Rose Jr. each polled more than 1,500 votes to defeat Democrats John E. Price and Eddie C. "Chase" Madison. Thurston led the balloting for commissioners with 1,556. Rose, the incumbent, received 1,536 votes. Madison had 1,218 votes and Price 980.