The Natchitoches Police Department is asking the public for assistance in locating Alasia Lashay Hamilton (B/F, 20 y.o.a. of Natchitoches) and Jody Hamilton (B/M, 16 y.o.a. of Natchitoches).

An arrest warrant has been issued for Alasia Lashay Hamilton and Jody Hamilton for second degree murder.

If you have seen Alasia Lashay Hamilton or Jody Hamilton please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or Detective William Connell at (318) 238-3911.  Do not attempt to apprehend or detain these individuals by yourself.  Alasia Lashay Hamilton and Jody Hamilton are considered to be armed and dangerous.  Remember all information given shall remain confidential.

How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:

You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smart phone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388.  All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $3,000 for the arrest of an offender.

Original Story: Natchitoches Police investigate homicide on July Street

The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred Tuesday evening on July Street.

On September 24, 2024 around 6:44 p.m., officers with the Natchitoches Police Department were dispatched to the 800 block of July Street in reference to gunshots in the area.  While officers were responding they were notified by police communication officers of a possible gunshot victim at a residence.  Upon officers arrival they were told that the victim, Matthew Daniels (B/M, 17 y.o.a. of Natchitoches), had left the scene and was being brought to the hospital by a personal vehicle.  Matthew Daniels was later pronounced deceased at the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center as a result of his injuries.  

Investigators and officers canvassed the crime scene and were able to speak with several witnesses. They also collected numerous pieces of evidence that will be sent to the crime lab for analysis.

The investigation is ongoing and the Natchitoches Police Department is working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.  We will release more details as they become available.

If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or if you have additional information in regards to this investigation please contact Detective William Connell at (318) 238-3911.  Remember all information given shall remain confidential.  

How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:

You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smart phone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388.  All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $3,000 for the arrest of an offender.

NSU’s Alumni Pavilion and Tailgate area was the place for a great breakfast and family fun Saturday, September 28 as the Natchitoches Kiwanis Club held its annual Pancake Festival, Mile Run and 5-K Race. Kiwanis has been a feature on the Natchitoches civic scene since 1946. The race is a relatively recent addition to the long-standing annual pancake breakfast. The Kiwanians served up several hundred pancake and sausage breakfasts to a hungry crowd of over 150 runners, as well as family members and supporters. The Natchitoches Fire Department was on hand in case of medical need and the Natchitoches SWAT truck also made an outreach appearance.

This year’s race contained a colorful twist from prior years that added to the fun. Kiwanians lined the first few feet of the racecourse and set off bursts of color for the runners to pass through. The superb young women of the NSU Women’s Basketball team were on hand to cheer on the runners as they ran through the course. There were also inflatables for children to play in and face painting.

The event was a fun way to raise money for a very worthy cause. The members of the Natchitoches Kiwanis Club are part of an international organization of civic-minded people in Clubs all over the world. The Natchitoches Kiwanis sponsors the well-known “Terrific Kids” program recognizing outstanding students in the parish as well as K-Kids, Builders and Key Clubs in area schools. They also sponsor coat and school supply drives for area schoolchildren.

The Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast and 5k Run is the main fundraiser held each year to support these worthy efforts.

Several thousand festival goers enjoyed a celebration of small town life at the Annual Marthaville Good Ole’ Days Festival, held this past weekend, September 27-28. This year’s Festival marks the 32nd anniversary of what has become one of our parish’s most beloved traditions. This year’s event was especially noteworthy in that the 18 musicians of the Marthaville Hawk Marching Band, under the direction of Ms. Kristina Ballard, made their inaugural parade appearance. Ms. Ballard is a NSU alumna and former member of the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band.

While the parade was arguably the highlight of the festival, it was far from the only activity to choose from. There was antique car judging, a play area for children, performances by school dance and cheer groups, and two days of musical performances by a number of local singers. Alumni of the Marthaville High School class of 1974 and earlier classes ending in four were recognized.

The parade featured dozens of entries ranging from the first appearance of the Marthaville Hawk Marching Band to a range of office holders, as well as colorful church floats. The hometown Marthaville Hawk cheerleaders and spirit groups were joined by cheer groups from Provencal. The fire department, antique cars, and a full complement of area pageant queens rounded out the parade roster. Lifelong Marthaville resident and civic leader Arden Settle was joined in leading the parade as Grand Marshal by his wife Billie Sue Settle. Ms. Rayle Hays was the Horse Parade Grand Marshal

The Marthaville Good Ole’ Days Festival is a superb weekend of family fun and togetherness. It is small town America at its best!

By LORI LYONS, Journal Sports

Two weeks ago, the St. Mary’s football team served notice when by notching its first win of the 2024 season against Menard.

Last week, the Tigers made a statement.

St. Mary’s scored a seven-year-high 64 points in a dominating 64-40 victory Friday night in Sabine Parish over the Many Tigers.

The 64 points scored were the most for a St. Mary’s team since 2017 when the Tigers scored 70 against University Academy.

It’s not a score anyone saw coming against a longtime powerhouse like Many, which has won three state championships and was runner-up twice in recent years.

“Did I expect to go in and score 64 points on them? Absolutely not,” said St. Mary’s head coach Kedrin Seastrunk. “I wouldn’t think we’d score 64 points on anyone. We didn’t try. Everything just clicked. We prepared well and everything just worked. I give all the glory to God.”

Well, not everything worked. On the second play of St. Mary’s first drive, Many came up with an interception and went right down the field for the score.

“They shoved it down our throats,” Seastrunk said. “So they had all the momentum.”

But St. Mary’s quickly took it back by scoring the next 19 points and never trailed again. The closest Many got was 19-13 in the second quarter, but then St. Mary’s scored 17 straight points to take a 36-26 halftime lead.

Many put together a pair of scoring drives in the third quarter, but then St. Mary’s scored another three touchdowns.

John Paul Thibodaux led the offense with two touchdowns, one a 6-yard run to get St. Mary’s going in the first quarter and the other a 48-yard run in the second quarter.

Quarterback Braylon Normand ran for a 5-yard touchdown and he connected  with Haiden Nelson on a 51-yard strike with Haiden Nelson late in the first half. Place kicker Carter Hogg made a 22-yard field goal in addition to his 7-of-7 extra points.

Brady Childress scored on a 20-yard run and had a 42-yard touchdown gallop in the fourth quarter. On defense, Nelson also scored on a 35-yard fumble recovery late in the game and Camden Litton scored on another fumble recovery for 32 yards.

St. Mary’s travels to St. Frederick’s on Friday.

The Lakeview Gators continue to struggle through a very tough pre-district schedule that coach Lawrence Seawood hopes will have his team ready to battle once district play begins on Oct. 11.

Last Friday the Gators suffered their fourth consecutive shutout loss, this one a 56-0 drubbing by DeQuincy. Lakeview has been outscored 178-0 in four games.

“We just trying to make it to district, man,” Seawood said. “This non-district has been rough on us. We’re getting a lot of power points from the teams we’re playing. Once we get to district we should be pretty good and have a chance to make the playoffs.”

Lakeview will play host to Avoyelles (1-3) this week.

Contact Lori at sportslyons@gmail.com

By MATT VINES, Journal Sports   

When Parkway quarterback Kaleb Williams was injured on the third play of Friday’s game, the Panthers could have panicked.

But Parkway leaned on its rushing attack, and on an offensive line that pushed around the Natchitoches Central defensive front.

The Panthers rushed for 437 yards and scored the game’s first 26 points en route to a 40-12 victory in Turpin Stadium over NCHS (1-3, 0-3 District 1-5A).

“The biggest thing to me is when you look at how productive each team was on the ground,” said NCHS coach Brad Laird. “They averaged 9.9 yards per carry, and we averaged 1.6 yards.

“Some people may look at the totals and how many times you run it, but what you do when you do run it is more important to me.”

Parkway (4-0, 2-0) scored three first-quarter touchdowns on drives of 71, 81, and 86 yards.

Three different ball carriers reached the end zone in the first quarter as CJ Dudley (3-yard run), Camaro Mayo (66-yard run), and Antonio Gladney (14-yard run) gave Parkway a 19-0 lead.

The Panthers tacked on one more score when Jayden Lewis scored from five yards.

All four of those players rushed for at least 50 yards with Mayo (177 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries) leading the way. Dudley crossed the century mark (18-135) with Gladney (7-78) and Lewis (7-59) contributing significantly with each adding a touchdown.

“We were able to establish the run and had some chunk plays.” said Parkway coach Coy Brotherton. “Our defense made stop after stop.”

The Natchitoches Central defense has allowed at least 40 points in all three District 1-5A games after slowing Breaux Bridge in a 14-12 season-opening win.

The Chiefs’ offense wasn’t able to establish the run (netting 42 yards on 26 carries).

But quarterback Owen Smith and the passing game still had a measure of success.

He completed 20-of-34 passes for 186 yards with a pair of touchdowns.

His first scoring strike went to KJ Newton for 35 yards in the second quarter, and he found Dillon Braxton for a 12-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.

Trailing 26-6, Natchitoches Central was piecing together a drive early in the third quarter that had the potential to slice Parkway’s lead to two scores.

But the Panthers’ Mark Copenhaver intercepted Smith and returned it for a touchdown to stamp out any hope of a comeback.

Smith threw a season-high three interceptions on a night when he shouldered almost all of the offensive load.

He did successfully distribute the ball to a bevy of targets as seven different Chiefs caught a pass with six hauling in multiple passes.

Kelton Howard led the way with seven receptions for 55 yards while Newton (43 yards) and Derrian Anthony (27 yards) each had three catches. Braxton caught two passes for 25 yards.

“It’s good to see guys other than Dillon step up,” Laird said. “Dillon was the really the only one with experience coming into this season, and we’re still trying to find as many different ways to get him the ball.

“When he gets the ball in his hands, he does really good things. But having other guys step up and makes will help us going forward.”

An overwhelming district schedule turns the page to a visit with Haughton next as opportunity knocks for two struggling young teams.

The Bucs (1-3, 0-3) have also been challenged offensively and defensively in district play. They have been beaten in each district game by at least 25 points. NCHS has lost each district game by at least 20 points.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri – Five games into the Blaine McCorkle era, the Northwestern State football team is still searching for true complementary football.

The Demon defense took a step toward that Saturday afternoon in Northwestern’s matchup with No. 13/14 Southeast Missouri State at Houck Stadium, slowing one of the Football Championship Subdivision’s top offenses. Despite that, the Redhawks posted a 19-0 victory as the Demons wrapped up their participation in a brief Southland Conference-Ohio Valley Conference scheduling alliance.

“You go toe-to-toe for four quarters with the No. 13 team in the country – you can’t not be proud of them,” McCorkle said. “They fought hard. They played hard. It’s kind of the same song, second verse. It seems to be the same theme every week. I’m real proud of our defense. They played their tails off. That’s one of the most potent, high-powered offenses in the country at our level right now. That quarterback is phenomenal, and to hold him to one touchdown and a pile of field goals, I’m proud of that.”

The Demons (0-5) allowed the Redhawks (4-1) to take their opening possession 37 yards on nine plays for a touchdown as quarterback Paxton DeLaurent found Cam Pedro for a 10-yard score on third down.

Even on that drive, the Demons forced SEMO to work from behind the chains, but DeLaurent was up for the challenge. The senior quarterback was 3-for-3 passing on third downs on the drive, accounting for 34 of the 37 yards.

That was the best rhythm DeLaurent and the Redhawks found against the Northwestern defense.

DeLaurent entered the game as the FCS’ No. 2 quarterback in touchdown passes, No. 7 in total passing yards and No. 10 in passing yards per game. The Demon defense limited him to the first-quarter touchdown and 237 yards passing on 21-of-43 passing.

Redshirt freshman Antonio Hall intercepted DeLaurent toward the end of the first quarter for the first interception of Hall’s career. The pick and ensuing return set the Demons up at their 43-yard line, but Northwestern could not convert three short-yardage plays following Zay Davis’ 9-yard rush on first down.

“Offensively, the story of the day is 0-for-2 on fourth down,” McCorkle said. “We got the ball moving a little bit. You’re finding a little bit of rhythm and on a fourth-and-short, you have to convert. Twice we didn’t. We tried to do it two completely different styles and neither worked. That’s something we have to get corrected in a hurry. We’ve got to have a little better situational awareness and understand what’s on the line when it’s third or fourth and short.

“If we convert those, we keep drives alive, we build momentum and it gives you a chance to put points on the board. Offensively, we’re at a bit of a loss. We’ve got to keep digging, keep searching. We did some things significantly differently with our offense this week that we have to keep building on.”

While the Demon defense stood tall in the red zone, the Northwestern offense could not gain much traction on a day that was not weather friendly for either offense.

After converting its first third-down opportunity on a 16-yard pass from Quaterius Hawkins to Travon Jones, Northwestern finished 1-for-10 on third downs and managed five total first downs as it was shut out for the second straight game – the first time that has happened to the Demons since 1975.

The second pivotal fourth down for the Demons came in the fourth quarter when a sack stymied a fourth-and-2 from the SEMO 43-yard line.

Northwestern was trying to cut into a 16-point deficit at that time thanks in part to a defense that allowed 19 points on seven red-zone chances and kept the FCS’ top touchdown-scoring receiving duo of Dorian Anderson and Mitchell Sellers – who had nine total touchdowns entering Saturday — out of the end zone.

“(Defensive coordinator) coach (Matt) Conner and the staff do a really good job emphasizing that and putting the plan together,” McCorkle said. “If I’m being really honest, one of the best things we have going for our defense is our scout-team offense. There are some guys who are really working our guys, and I give them a lot of credit. Every day we come in as a staff, the defensive staff is talking about how hard the scout-team offense is working to get them ready. It carries over here on the field.”

The Demons return to action Saturday when they resume their longtime rivalry with Stephen F. Austin. Northwestern’s first visit to Nacogdoches, Texas, since 2018 kicks off at 7 p.m. inside Homer Bryce Stadium.

Job Title: Accounting Manager

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting/Finance.

• MBA or CPA (preferred)

• Computer Literate (Word, Excel, MS Office)

REPORTS TO: Director of Finance

SUPERVISES: Payroll Accountant and Benefits Coordinator/Payroll Assistant

JOB GOAL: Assist in the developing, achieving and maintaining an accurate accounting and record system for the department. This includes responsibility for all payroll updates and changes related to external vendors and maintaining accurate payroll records Reconciliation of all accounting transactions at the end of each month and year end.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as Cash Manager for all Business checking and savings accounts

• Reconciliation of due to/from within business accounts by the end of month.

• Print, review and authorize all payroll /liability checks and ACH transfers

• Upload ACH files to the bank and processing agents

• Prepare monthly invoices for vendors and all other Account Receivable billing excluding SAF

• Enter all journal entries

• Post all transactions and transfers within Accounting software

• Code and post all electronic receipts to all business checking and savings accounts

• Prepare and transmit annual AFR timely to receive highest rating from State

• Assist in preparing General Fund budget/SFS budget

• Prepare and maintain all OGB records and invoices

• Serve as lead contact with accounting software support to resolve any issues/ problems

• Train all accounting personnel all software related to the business department

• Oversight and verify all retirement records

• Prepare annual SFS income and expense report

• Assist in developing SFS Budget with the Director of Child Nutrition.

• Performs yearly evaluation of supervised personnel.

• Serves on Business Manager’s Committee

• Serves on Natchitoches Tax Commission Board as School Board representative.

• Coordinate review and approval duties with Comptroller and Director of Finance

PERSONAL QUALITIES:

• Devotes time and energy effectively to job.

• Demonstrates ability to work well with individuals and groups.

• Exercises good judgment when arriving at decisions.

• Maintains high standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity in all personal and professional matters.

RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Concentrates effort in area of major responsibility.

• Is self-directed.

• Keeps abreast of current trends in education.

• Exhibits loyalty in the promotion of the district’s goals.

• Completes a self-evaluation annually.

• Develops and implements Individual Growth Plan (IGP) annually.

• Reports job-related injuries within 48 hours of the incident to the Director of Human Resources. (“Job related injuries” include, but are not limited to, any accident or illness which involves loss of consciousness, restriction of work motion, or medical treatment.)

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 12 months

EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated annually according to guidelines of the Natchitoches Parish Personnel Evaluation Plan.

All interested applicants can submit their applications at https://www.npsb.la/page/job-openings.

JOB TITLE: Communications and Digital Content Coordinator

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, graphic design, web development or related field required.

• At least 1 year of experience in public relations or another communications-related field.

• Must have demonstrated writing and graphic design skills, creativity, and knowledge of current and emerging social media trends.

• Web organization and management experience required.

• Must have experience writing and distributing press releases, media kits, etc.

• Must have 1 year of experience with HTML5 markup.

• Experience in CSS is preferred.

• Experience with Thrillshare™ Publishing Platform is preferred.

• Experience in a K-12 setting is preferred.

REPORTS TO: District Supervisor of Technology

SUPERVISES: N/A

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Digital Content & Public Communications Coordinator provides support to the Superintendent, school district and individual schools to implement, maintain and manage internal and external communication efforts for Natchitoches Parish Schools.

The Digital Content & Public Communications Coordinator is responsible for social media, website development and management, mobile application management, content creation, brand awareness, graphic design, video production, and media relations.

PERSONAL QUALITIES:

• Devotes time and energy effectively to job.

• Demonstrates ability to work well with individuals and groups.

• Exercises good judgment when arriving at decisions.

• Maintains high standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity in all personal and professional matters.

RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Concentrates effort in area of major responsibility.

• Is self-directed.

• Keeps abreast of current trends in education.

• Exhibits loyalty in the promotion of the district’s goals.

• Completes a self-evaluation annually.

• Develops and implements Individual Growth Plan (IGP) annually.

• Reports job-related injuries within 48 hours of the incident to the Director of Human Resources. (“Job related injuries” include, but are not limited to, any accident or illness which involves loss of consciousness, restriction of work motion, or medical treatment.)

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 12 Months

EVALUATION: Performance of this position will be evaluated annually in accordance with Louisiana Department of Education and Natchitoches Parish School Board policy.

All interested applicants can submit their applications at https://www.npsb.la/page/job-openings.

In September, our JAG members donated 25 box fans to the Natchitoches Council on Aging to support local seniors during the warmer months. This initiative reflects our commitment to serving the community and making a positive impact.

We believe that highlighting this effort would inspire others to engage in community service and strengthen our community ties.

We would greatly appreciate your support in publishing this story.

Pictured: Mrs. Parker, Gracelyn Reed, Heaven Haskett, Chaslyn Evans, Jeremiah Coutee, Harmony Morrow, Kayleigh Fox, JaDarius Demease, Melanie Sarpy, Cadynce Smith, Dario Beaudion, Savanna Guy, Chelsea Robinson, Harmony Jackson, Jade Hymes, ZaRiyah Williams and Mrs. Wanda Holden.

Natchitoches Parish School Board member Russ Danzy and Natchitoches Kiwanis Club member Craig Caskey presented certificates to Provencal Elementary/Jr. High Students who were chosen as September’s Terrific Kids.

Pictured: Gatlen Corbin, Cason Rachal, Jayce Chester, Harlee Leone, Chase Sewell, Mallory Jones, Serena Lacour, Kiwanian Craig Caskey, Principal Diana Curtis, Lily Carbin, James Gross, Ava Leach, Landrie Moss, Macee Holt, Ava Washington, Kiwanian Russ Danzy, Coordinator Dwayne Poe.
Not pictured: Madelynn Trouille, Sawyer Glenn, and Charli Bass.

Join Marvin as he talks about the murder rate in Natchitoches, Louisiana and explores some reasons behind the madness.

From World Population Review:

poverty by race in the city of Natchitoches, Louisiana totals 9,237 black persons or 46.75% of the population

From Neighborhood Scout:

With a crime rate of 68 per one thousand residents, Natchitoches has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes – from the smallest towns to the very largest cities.

December 3, 1949 — September 24, 2024

A service celebrating Lola Walker Dunahoe will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, at First Baptist Church—Natchitoches, led by Bro. Thomas Rush. Former Senator Louie Bernard will share reflections on behalf of the family. Interment will follow at the American Cemetery, under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home.   

Her family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Church, located at 508 Second St.

Mrs. Dunahoe, 74, died on Tuesday, Sept. 24, in Houston, TX, following a brief illness.

A native of Baton Rouge, LA, she was the youngest of five children born to Thelma Penington Walker.  She moved to Natchitoches with her mother during her junior high school years and graduated with honors from Natchitoches High School in 1968, and in 1971 she earned the bachelor of science degree in mathematics education and the bachelor of science degree in biology, both with honors, from Northwestern State University. 

Mrs. Dunahoe met her soulmate, Otis Edwin Dunahoe, both sophomores at NHS, in Fall 1966 when they were serving as school orientation leaders.   They were forever inseparable, marrying on April 10, 1971, in Natchitoches.

She began her career as a mathematics teacher at Istrouma Junior High School in Baton Rouge while her new husband completed his law degree. When they returned to Natchitoches, she taught mathematics at Natchitoches-Central High School for two years, and then, over the next years, their family grew from two to five.

Though she left the traditional classroom to become a full-time mother, her love for education never wavered.  Mrs. Dunahoe served as a member and officer of several educational, philanthropical, preservation, and service organizations, including Natchitoches Historic Foundation, the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, St. Denis Garden Club, and chapters AU and BK of the PEO Sisterhood.  Her priority always centered on First Baptist Church, particularly its children and music ministries. In 2018, she co-chaired its $2.5 million restoration project.

Mrs. Dunahoe’s tenure as member, president, and sustainer advisor of the Service League of Natchitoches led her to later chairing the total restoration of the Prudhomme-Rouquier House, built in 1790; the solicitation and awarding of a $366,000 Save America’s Treasures grant that funded the restoration; and then the creation of the Prudhomme-Rouquier House Foundation, serving as its first president.

She was president of the NSU Foundation during Northwestern’s first capital campaign, which began with a goal of $18.84 million and raised $32 million to enhance the institution.

In 2011, Mrs. Dunahoe was appointed chair and CEO of the Board of Trustees of the Mary R. Gallaspy Charitable Trust No. 2. Through her leadership, assets of the Trust have more than doubled, and over $11 million has been distributed and awarded to over 3,000 NSU students.   

In 2016, Gov. John Bel Edwards appointed Mrs. Dunahoe to the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System in the management board that oversees NSU and eight other state institutions. During her two-term tenure, she participated in the selection of eight university presidents across the state, three of those being Northwestern presidents.

Always, Northwestern’s position and success were her passion.  In 2021, she was honored with the Northwestern State University Distinguished Alumna Service Award; and in 2022, Mrs. Dunahoe was inducted into the NSU Alumni Hall of Distinction–The Long Purple Line, the highest honor bestowed upon a Northwestern alumnus.

One of the cornerstones of Mrs. Dunahoe’s legacy will always be the St. Denis Art League, where she served for nearly 50 years as a director and then chair of its annual Spring Festival, which annually recognizes young ladies and gentlemen in their senior year of high school.

Mrs. Dunahoe leaves Edwin, her husband of 53 years; her daughter, Ashley Renee Dunahoe Reynolds and husband, Jason, of Waco, TX; her sons, Jason Edwin Dunahoe and wife, Lexie, of Houston, TX; and Jared Ryan Dunahoe and his wife, Danielle, of Natchitoches; her nine grandchildren, including Lily, Sydney, and Abby Reynolds, of Waco; Emma, Marshall, Barrett, and Amelia June Dunahoe of Houston; and Jefferson Walker and Ann-Marie Dunahoe of Natchitoches; her sister, Mary Walker Norwood of Dallas; and several nieces and nephews, including her very special niece, Beth Bratten of Murfreesboro, TN.

Mrs. Dunahoe was preceded in death by her mother; her brother, Ray Walker; and sisters Betty Walker Trosclair, Dorothy Walker Rahm; and her mother-in-law, Janetha Walton Dunahoe, with whom she shared a most special bond.

Serving as pallbearers for Mrs. Dunahoe will be Melvin Braxton, Dr. Steve Brown III, Jerry Forest, Dr. Steve Horton, Dr. Randall Keator II, Dr. Drake Owens, Lee Posey, and Dr. Dan Seymour.

Those who wish to celebrate her memory may support the Lola Walker Dunahoe Scholarship through the NSU Foundation, or First Baptist Church—Natchitoches.

The initial date for the grand opening of the Village of Natchez town hall had to be moved due to impending severe weather. That move proved fortuitous as a standing room only crowd of citizens, civic leaders and supporters enjoyed perfect Autumn weather to dedicate the newly constructed Natchez town hall.  The new hall will boast 1,400 square feet of space and will house the mayor’s, clerk’s, and chief of police’s offices. There will also be a conference room for village business and public meetings. The building, financed by state capital outlays, cost approximately $189,000.00 to construct.

Former State Senator Louie Bernard, who was instrumental in obtaining the building’s funding, served as the Master of Ceremonies. The Reverend Ed Johnson delivered the opening invocation after which Alderwoman Shelia Johnson welcomed the attendees. Mrs. Earnestine Armstrong performed a gospel solo, followed by an introduction of elected officials. The officials attending ranged from representatives from Senator Kennedy and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to Sheriff Wright, Mayor Williams of Natchitoches, Parish Councilman Wayne Halm, Assessor Tim Page, School Board Members Emile Metoyer and Lela Harvey and Representative Jason Dewitt. The mayors of Ville Platte, Boyce and Woodworth also attended, showing the strong support of the Louisiana Municipal Association.

Mayor Patsy Ward Hoover was joined by several of her staff and fellow elected officials in cutting the ribbon that officially opened the town hall for business. The new town hall is more than a replacement for its decrepit predecessor, it is a symbol of dignity, persistence and progress.