Niles Branch 3148 of the NAACP will be partnering with Black Family Celebration and I’m Saving Myself prevention/intervention family program to sponsor the Dowagiac Black Family Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Walter Ward Park.

“This celebration is being held for the entire Dowagiac community and Michiana area” from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to the request from the Rev. Sandria Wilson, president; and Minnie Warren and Paul Williams III, event coordinators/organizers.

City selling 423 Maple St.

It will take 21 days to accomplish, but the city Monday night announced its intention to sell a parcel at 423 Maple St. to Bruce Boatright Sr. of 304 S. Lowe St. for $250. The transaction will be completed at the July 8 council meeting.

Summer reading program

wrapping up on July 27

City Council Monday night approved a family-friendly event for 12:30 p.m. July 27 at Dowagiac District Library to culminate the summer reading program.

Aimed at children ages 3-12 during the Summer in the City festival, the program seeks to incentivize reading outside of the school year by promoting high-interest materials, awarding avid readers with prizes and hosting events with broad family appeal.

“This event would feature a book sale, complimentary food and beverage and a performance by a folk-rock musical group on library grounds,” Director Jacob Munford said. “Based on previous event attendance, it would be safe to assume that this event would be attended by approximately 60 to 80 patrons.”

Revenue board’s name clarified

At the June 5 meeting of the Local Revenue Sharing Board (LRSB), the panel acted to amend its interlocal agreement bylaws to clarify that the LRSB serving Four Winds Dowagiac will be called the Pokagon Band-Dowagiac Area Local Revenue Sharing Board.

The original name was Pokagon-Dowagiac Area Local Revenue Sharing Board.

The LRSB sought the clarification to avoid confusion with Pokagon Township since it is the Pokagon Band’s casino.

Voting for the name change were tribal Chairman Matthew Wesaw, Pokagon Township Supervisor Linda Preston, Cass County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Bernie Williamson, Dowagiac Mayor Donald D. Lyons and Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Fred L. Mathews.