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The legal complaint alleging the Clay County Commissioners, Clay County Council, and the Clay County Sheriff's Department violated the Indiana Open Door Law and Indiana Access to Public Records Act last week was notified Monday by an Indiana Public Access Counselor (IPAC) their investigation "could not identify any issues of law or fact." The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) and Mariposa Legal filed three formal complaints with IPAC on Thursday, November 11, 2021. The complaint was filed in Clay Circuit Court Wednesday, December 15, 2021, with Judge Joseph D. Trout preceding; defendants have 20 days to respond from the date of filing. IPAC Luke H. Britt sent a letter to Attorney Hannah Cartwright Monday, December 20 about his investigation into the matter. The Brazil Times is posting the entire complaint online and the Indiana Public Access Counselor's response for the public to read. The Times will continue to follow this story and update readers when more information is available.

In the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a few changes in the annual Shop-With-A-Cop event put on by the Brazil Police Department, but it didn’t stop the fun. Brazil Police Chief Clint McQueen said 24 families and more than 70 children enjoyed shopping for Christmas this week at Walmart.

The weather was perfect for the family fun event that took over Clay City’s main street Saturday night for the 5th annual Chocolate Walk. Chocolate was the reason, but this year the Chocolate Walk had a special treat for children: An Elf Hunt. Children had to find 12 of the mischievous elves hiding along the main street. Some were easy to spot, like the elf pictured at the right, others not so much. Those children who found all 12 were able to choose a book at the REIN Library.

The 2021 Christmas in The Park Christmas Parade was a buzz of activity and seasonal joy Friday, November 26. The annual parade started at 7 p.m. But preparations have been going on all day. People started gathering along US 40 shortly after 6 p.m. to find the best seats. The theme was “Toys, Trains and Candy Canes” — which was supposed to be last year’s parade theme, but it had to be canceled due to COVID-19.

On Wednesday morning, local firefighters responded to a semi-fire on I-70 rerouted the interstate traffic to find alternate routes. The fire occurred near the eastbound 32 mile-marker, shutting down all lanes. Traffic was directed to exit at the I-70 at the Brazil exit, which caused numerous semis to pick south on State Road 59 to US 46 or north to US 40 in Brazil. These photos were submitted to The Brazil Times by readers who were in the "right spot at the right time."

The annual Veterans Day program at the Clay County Courthouse featured a concert by the Jackson Township Community Band, speakers American Legion Post #2 Commander Mike Caputo, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1127 Commander Neil Brown, and special guest Captain Aaron Hattabaugh. The joint program is sponsored by the American Legion and the VFW, who each invited the public to stop by their respective facilities in Brazil for dinner Thursday.

National Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually during Oct. 23-31 to honor people who have been killed due to the violence of drugs. The National Family Partnership created red Ribbon Week after the kidnapping and murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Salazar, 37, in Mexico in 1985. Communities throughout the nation participate in activities to raise awareness of the dangers of bad decisions involving drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. The 2021 Red Ribbon Campaign Theme is “Drug Free Looks Like Me™.” On Wednesday, “every fifth grader” from the eight elementary schools in the county spent the day at the Clay County Courthouse and at the Clay County Justice Center doing various learning activities and eating lunch on the lawn before returning to school. Along with the students and teachers were Clay City High School SADD members, Northview High School students, and various local officials who helped put on the event.

Corvettes of Central Indiana recently stopped by the Brazil Public Library for a “Drive-In & Show” event. Although it was a lovely day for the event, it was believed that the date (October 9) would get moved away from the first weekend of the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival next year. Organizers of the free public event hope to grow the community interest in Corvettes in the future.

“Cruising Brazil” is an unofficial grassroots community event, and its fourth installment was a success. It started with a two-hour meet-up at Forest Park around 5 p.m. With upwards of 100 various vehicles available to view, it’s “THE” place to be. However, this time there were other hotspots throughout Brazil to stop off and look at Jeeps, Corvettes, diesel trucks, and lots of front yard displays along the main street before cars “bopped” along Brazil’s National Avenue. The sights, the sounds, the laughter of holding up signs to encourage drivers to “smoke those tires” or “blow your horn” created a nostalgic family event that crossed generations. Along with many children and pets, the community brought out lawn chairs, blankets, coolers, and snack food to enjoy sitting along the street to watch the fun, take photos and videos throughout the night. In the morning sunlight, there were burnout marks on US 40 to remind motorists of the fun time, as many people took to social media to ask when the next event would be.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1127 held a First Responder Appreciation Dinner Saturday in honor of 911. According to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1127 Commander Neil Brown, “This is a time that we can show our appreciation for our heroes and their commitment to the community.”

Family Worship Center, 8157 North County Road 425 West, Brazil, recently organized a vendor fair at the church. Members of the community perused the vendors, crafters, and food trucks while enjoying the sunny weather in the parking lot and the fall decor inside the church. The fundraiser supports various church projects in the coming year.

Many flags are flying at half staff in the area in honor of 13 military soldiers killed and 19 injured in Afghanistan Thursday. Numerous businesses, organizations, and local residents lowered their flag displays to show support before President Joseph R. Biden proclaimed to do so the same day. A suicide bomb attack at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport and an assault by gunmen at Abbey Gate killed more than 160 Afghans during the US-led military withdrawal from the country.

If looking for a fun-filled family outing then Forest Park was the place to be Saturday, August 21, 2021. The Hardman Family & Friends organized the Second-Annual Clay County Gives Back Car to support Brazil YMCA Kids Campaign and Christmas in the Park. There were 50/50 drawings, a DJ playing favorite tunes, vendors, T-Shirt sales, Silent Auction with a girl and boy bike to bid on, and much more. Not to mention the photo opportunities with great cars of all makes and models, nearly 100 were parked before noon, with more arriving. This event was geared for families, and especially kids to be able to look at cool vehicles and help with judging. There was a special prize for the "kids' choice" award.

Clay City was a buzz of activity Saturday morning for the Saddle Up® for St. Jude event at Goshorn Park. This fundraising event helps provide funding for children battling cancer and other deadly childhood diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. The hospital’s mission is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for catastrophic pediatric diseases through research and treatment. No child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay.

A recent tire recycling program at the Clay County 4-H Fairgrounds was a success, collecting more than 1,200 tires. Sponsored by the Clay County Soil & Water Conservation District, Duke Energy, Clay County 4-H Council, Inc., and Liberty Tire Recycling, the event started at 8 a.m. Saturday August 14th. Members of Clay Community Corrections helped unload and then load up the first semi truck of tires before 10 a.m.

A project talked about for years is happening for the senior class at Northview High School: They can reserve their own parking spot and decorate it too! Northview seniors and their families have been out in the hot sun Thursday through Sunday, painting parking spots. (The only rule was to not paint over the parking lines!) It cost $5 to reserve, and once the school approved the design, the cost of the paint supplies and a little sweat equity to create the unique "spots" for seniors to park during the upcoming school year. Organizers said the paint should hold up to the upcoming weather and last until Spring. The money raised by the event will be used for the upcoming Prom.

After being canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, National Night Out was a busy place Tuesday evening. Hundreds of people showed up for the outreach event organized by the Brazil Police Department. The community met first responders throughout the county, enjoyed hotdogs and potato chips, visited with all the vendors, participated in a craft project or two, and children received back-to-school supplies. The Forest Park swimming pool was also open to the public.

Brazil Elks Lodge 762, located at 19 South Sherfey St., gathered Saturday for the inaugural "Jeep and Buggy Ride for Cancer Research." More than 85 people hopped in Jeeps and side-by-side "buggies" for the parade west led by Brazil City Police Chief Clint McQueen along Jackson Street to north Depot and traveled through Parke County to fundraise for the Indiana Elks Association's state project: Cancer Research, which has raised more than $10 million to combat cancer over 70 years.

The Auxiliary of the Bussing-Louderback Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1127 brought a “taste of home” to the soldiers on drill at the Brazil National Guard Armory Sunday. According to incoming Commander Adam Carroll, approximately 110 soldiers were on duty at the 138th Composite Supply Company this weekend. The event was canceled last year due to COVID-19.

A Blessing Box was recently dedicated in memory of Knightsville’s Clerk-Treasurer, Terri Close. Close, 57, passed away unexpectedly on vacation on St. George Island, Florida, on Saturday, June 13, 2020. “We had been working on this project for more than two years,” said Charlotte Reyher. “It is an honor to have this put up in Terri’s memory. She was such a generous loving and caring person.” The Blessing Box sits out front of the Knightsville Town Hall, which used to be the Knightsville United Methodist Church on Crawford Street. Blessing Boxes serve as a way for locals to give and receive anonymous donations of new non-perishable food, hygiene items, and cleaning supplies at any time. This box will also feature things for children, including snacks, new school supplies, clothing, and small toys.

Witnessing the history of the old west and the sport of “cowboy action shooting” is happening in Clay County, thanks to the Pine Ridge Regulators (a local Single Action Shooting Society). The group gathers every second Saturday (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) from April-October for “shooting matches” at 2375 West County Road 1500 North (Carbon area). These photos were taken at the July 10th event. The public is invited to watch the events or join in the fun. To learn more, log on to pineridgeregulators.com or their Facebook page.

The First Christian Church, 1875 East US 40, Brazil, was getting a lot of attention from motorists passing by Monday. Almost 100 children participating in the Daycare and Summer Camp were out on the front lawn enjoying some good clean fun at a FOAMHOMIES Foam Party. Laken and Steve Richardson, Riley, IN, are the owners and operators of FOAMHOMIES. They stopped by to put on the unique event for the church, and the motorist who saw it Monday afternoon. Several of the adults at the event mentioned “bathtime wouldn’t be a problem tonight.” Learn more about FOAMHOMIES by logging onto foamhomies.com, or checking out their Facebook of Instagram pages.

All Rise Fireworks, locally owned by the Clarke Family, put on their first show during the Brazil Rotary Club’s annual 4th of July Celebration Sunday night at Forest Park. Josh Clarke, who admitted to being nervous before the show started, said he was looking forward to the opportunity to provide the fireworks display, and hoped everyone enjoys it, saying: "We are looking forward to making it bigger and better as the years go by."

Happy Independence Day!! Enjoy these photos taken during the annual Brazil Rotary Club's 4th of July Celebration at Forest Park.

School's out, but the hallways at Forest Park Elementary are still a buzz of activity with children attending the YMCA Summer Day Camp. On Tuesday, The Times visited children during lunchtime before a planned excursion to the Forest Park swimming pool. Summer Camp activities include field trips, swimming daily and water safety, nutrition advice to help promote healthy eating habits, STEAM learning, and many adventures to expand social skills and relationship building. In addition, the YMCA provides free breakfast and lunch for all campers and anyone ages 18 years and younger. Contact the Y for more information at 812-442-6761. Enjoy these photos taken by Times Reporter IVY JACOBS.

One of the hottest days of Spring so far, Saturday’s wine tasting festival at White Pines Manor was sweltering, to say the least, but there was a crowd for the State Line Wine Trail event. There was plenty of wine, food, music, and fun for everyone at the event the raised funds to help support the Council on Domestic Abuse, Inc. (CODA). Please enjoy these photos taken by Times Reporter IVY JACOBS.

Crowds are already arriving, and there's plenty of room to splash around at the Forest Park Pool on those hot, humid days. The public pool, located at 911 Bonnie Geyne Miller Drive in the park, is open seven days a week from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays are scheduled for night swims($4 per person), and Friday nights are movie nights ($5 per person). Learn more information and updates about the pool, pass prices or book a party, and follow future events at the Forest Park Pool on FaceBook, or call 812-251-7086.

The Annual Strawberry Festival at Forest Park was a busy place Friday afternoon. The fundraiser was held at the Cow Palace and included a drive-thru and picnic tables to enjoy the sunny afternoon. Funds raised during the fundraiser support various local projects and the annual Christmas Celebration. Enjoy these photos taken by Times Reporter IVY JACOBS.

The first food distribution from the $144,000 OCRA COVID-19 relief grant was busy Saturday, May 22. Cars were lined up early - around 6:30 a.m. - to participate, and waited patiently while volunteers organized some home deliveries before the start of the event at First Christian Church, 1875 West US 40, Brazil. There were enough food and hygiene supplies (approximately $90 for each package) to help 300 families. Organizers admitted they were able to work out a few kinks since the first food distribution program held in June 2020, including setting up lines in the church parking lot to stop traffic from flowing over onto US 40. The next Saturday giveaway at the church will take place June 19, July 24, August 21, September 25, and October 23. Check out the Events Calendar on the City of Brazil’s website at brazil.in.gov/events for more details.

LOYALTY DAY VETERANS LUNCHEON The veterans at the Loyalty Day Luncheon at Pappy's BBQ were a shy bunch, but they did pose for pictures for The Brazil Times. There are World War II veterans in Clay County, but none were present at the event. Pictures included: Korean Veterans - Clifford Peterson and Walt TerMeer Vietnam Veterans Gulf War veterans to present Guest Speaker - Darrin Chaney Enjoy some snapshots of the event. LOYALTY DAY PARADE A crowd of people was spread out along Main Street in Brazil, enjoying Saturday’s Loyalty Day Parade from South Depot Street to Vandalia Street. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1127, 303 South Depot Street, Brazil, organized the parade to honor active military servicemen and women and veterans while sparking patriotism. Loyalty Day kicks off National Military Appreciation Month during May. Each year the V.F.W. announces winners of the best entries. In 2021 the winners included: 1st place: KAT Horsemanship, 2nd place: Sons of American Revolution, and 3rd place: A to Z Construction.

More than 40 vehicles participated in the annual American Legion Car Show (10 North Depot Street) Saturday, with several entering the Loyalty Day Parade afterward. The fundraising event was held by the Sons of the American Legion at Post #2.

Cruising Brazil was a spectacle to behold as hundreds - if not a thousand or so - vehicles showed up in Brazil. It was not just cars, there were people everywhere throughout the night taking up spots along US 40 to watch the fun. The Brazil Times tried to catch as many of the cars - everything from beat-up heaps to vintage classics, to project cars, to motorcycles with sidecars, pickup trucks of all sorts, old fire trucks, dune buggies, Jeeps, to newer style cars and EVERYTHING in between. You name it, you might have found it Saturday night. It wasn't just car guys who showed up either. From toddlers to seniors, everyone brought their lawn chairs, or turned their vehicles around and sat in the trunks or on the ground to watch and cheer on their favorites. We hope you enjoy these photos of all the hubbub, which started a bit early and was still going around 10:30 p.m.

Dreary weather didn’t allow for much stomping around Saturday at “White Pine Manor” during the Multiple Sclerosis event. However, people still came out to enjoy festivities during “Milling Around the Manor for MS.” It’s not too late to support TEAM GRIMES during Walk MS: Terre Haute 2021; log onto tinyurl.com/Msteamgrimes to donate.

Hundreds of people showed up at Craig Park Saturday to either watch or participate in the American Legion Auxiliary’s annual Easter Egg Hunt. “We moved the egg hunt to Craig Park this year, which allows us a lot more space for the various age groups and social distancing,” said Auxiliary President Lori Knight about the March 27th event. The large crowd started gathering at Craig Park around 12:30 p.m. and were surprised to see the Easter Bunny arrive on a motorcycle for the event. Children who were just learning to walk up to those up to 12 participated in one of the four hunts to find some of the more than 2,000 Easter Eggs, which had lots of prizes, and a bicycle was given away in each category. A raffle was also held among all the children, and a 32-inch HD television was given away to the lucky ticket drawn. Enjoy these photos taken during this community event.