News

Clay Community School Corporation dealt with two separate bomb threats Monday and another incident in the north parking lot of Northview High School before the start of school Tuesday. "We thank our local law enforcement agencies for their speedy response," said Superintendent Jeff Fritz, confirming parents were notified through the corporation's notification system. "Northview High School followed its safety protocols, and at no time were any students or staff members in danger."...

The Indiana Department of Health announced on Tuesday morning the lowering of the minimum age to received the COVID-19 vaccine to 55. Also eligible to receive the vaccine are long-term care residents, healthcare workers and first responders. Recipients must be Indiana residents...

A charitable organization dedicated to the service of the poor is fundraising to build a new facility. The Annunciation Church St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry President Patrick Hardman confirmed people can make tax-deductible donations at Annunciation Church (19 North Alabama Street, Brazil, 47834), GoFundMe or GiveLively...

CIRCUIT The following case filings reported in Clay Circuit Court during February 20-28, 2021: CIVIL Morris Plan Company of Terre Haute Inc. vs. William Lathrop LVNV Funding LLC vs. Rhonda Winn OneMain Financial of IN F.N.A Springleaf Financial Services of IN vs. Kenny W. Corona; Airionna Hunter, Dustin Arnold...

The water is rising along the Eel River at the bridge on State Road 59, just north of Clay City. The Indianapolis National Weather Service issued a Flood Warning Sunday, citing a potential crest of 15.4 feet due to melting snow and incoming rain.

Clay Community Schools received two bomb threats Monday, but neither was deemed credible. “Clay Community Schools Safety Plans have protocols in place to deal with such threats, and these were implemented by school personnel,” Superintendent Jeff Fritz said Monday, who greatly appreciated the swift actions of and assistance by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department. “Anyone having any information about the source of these threats is asked to contact law enforcement immediately.”...

They issued a press release Monday morning: "A bomb threat was received at Northview High School. Administration at the high school and Central Office immediately implemented protocols as per the School Safety Plan. County law enforcement officers and school personnel conducted an investigation and a visual sweep of both the inside and outside of the building. Security cameras were also reviewed...

Clay County remains in the YELLOW ADVISORY category on the Indiana State Department of Health with an overall score of 1. The ISDH updates that determination each Wednesday. (The county’s overall score was 1.5 last week.)

Dear Editor: On behalf of the Northview High School Bowling Club Bowlers, Parents and Coach Chris Drake we would like to sincerely thank Brazil V.F.W. Post 1127 for their very generous donation and support. If not for the support of local organizations like the V.F.W. it may not even be possible for these kids to compete...

The arrival of the recent winter storm created a bit of chaos for many people. However, first responders took Mother Nature’s fury head-on during the worst of it, February 14-18. Members of the Indiana State Police, Clay County Sheriff’s Department, Brazil Police Department, the other small-town law enforcement agencies, the Brazil Fire Department and other various volunteer fire departments, STAR Ambulance, and Clay County 911 Dispatch not only worked their routine shifts, but they also tackled the developing weather.. ...

The Indiana State Police released information regarding the investigation into a Tuesday traffic accident involving an on-duty sheriff’s deputy. (Names are not being released due to the investigation.) According to ISP’s information Wednesday, the accident occurred at approximately 1:40 p.m. at the intersection of State Roads 59 and 46...

This week Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced $100.8 million in federal transportation funding would be invested in local road and bridge improvements and sidewalk and trail projects. Clay County, receiving $1 million, and Brazil, receiving $620,568.13, are receiving a slice of the pie. (Rural communities were invited to submit project applications to INDOT for potential funding during a call for projects announced in October 2020.)...

Putnamville State Police Post announced this week that officers will be cracking down on dangerous and impaired driving in March, as part of a statewide enforcement campaign. From February 26 through March 21, 2021, officers will be conducting high-visibility patrols showing zero tolerance for those driving aggressively, over the speed limit or under the influence...

The Indiana State Department of Health announced on Tuesday morning that Hoosiers 60+ are now eligible to receive the #COVID19 vaccine. Register at ourshot.in.gov or call 211. Please be patient as wait times may be longer than usual.

BELLMORE — Parke County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop at 12:58 a.m. on February 20 near Bellmore. During the stop, deputies located methamphetamine and paraphernalia along with syringes. James Stantz (24) and Taylor Okulovich (23) of Brazil were placed into custody and transported to the Parke County Jail...

"Homestead in the Hollow" (a new wedding/reception venue) and Yogi's Funzone (an indoor pool/restaurant facility) had their grand openings recently with ribbon cutting ceremonies.

The Clay Community School Board of Trustees had a busy monthly meeting discussing finances and ended as an emotional one. Director of Business Affairs Mark Shayotovich said 2020 was a “financially consistent year” during the annual financial report presentation...

After several weeks of COVID-19 data seesawing, the Indiana State Department of Health shows Clay County’s data has a slight increase. Currently (Thursday, February 18, 2021), the county is in the overall YELLOW ADVISORY category with a Weekly 2-Metric Score of 1.5, Weekly Cases Per 100,000 Residents at 141 (ORANGE), and the 7-Day All Tests Positivity Rate of 8.06% (YELLOW). ...

Last week's snow offered many great images to be captured by Ivy Jacobs of the Brazil Times.

The Clay County Emergency Food Pantry is now accepting donations in preparation for shopping to resume next month. Items need to be placed in the shed, located at 506 E. Pinckley St. in Brazil, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. People coming to the pantry need to wear a mask and have an ID that shows you live in Clay County...

Monday, the weatherman said snow was in the forecast, possibly heavy at times. I was not sure what to expect to find yesterday morning. Paul and I had appointments at IU North to receive our second Covid-19 Pfizer vaccinations. We were informed our appointments may be canceled and another time reserved for us at a later date...

A traffic stop involving an UBER vehicle leads to discovering a pound of methamphetamine and arresting an Ohio man on felony drug charges. The Clay County Sheriff's Department confirmed a K-9 unit initiated a traffic stop Wednesday involving an UBER vehicle. During the stop, the deputy allegedly could smell the strong odor of marijuana inside the vehicle with two passengers in the back seat...

One group in Clay County prepares for the worst-case scenarios involving hazardous materials, and trains for the best result. The Clay County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) acts as a liaison between local industry and businesses within the community that may store or manufacture one or more types of hazardous materials, including farm chemical/supplies, explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive materials that can be found in locations like farms, service stations, hospitals, major industrial plants and manufacturers, and hazardous materials waste sites.. ...

The Clay Community School Corporation announced schools will be closed again on Friday. Students will be on elearning.

Freezing temperatures caused a break in an eight-inch city water line on Tuesday, but it was repaired without the need for a boil order. Brazil Mayor Brian Wyndham was with the city water department crew at the water line break near the 300 block of north Hoosier Street during the repair process that took six-seven hours. The rupture only affected the city water customers in that area...

Clay City and Northview both crowned royalty at Winter Homecoming festivities over the weekend.

Find current travel info here.

The Clay County Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Clay County 4-H Fairgrounds is planning on remaining open despite the current wintry blast, officials said Monday. However, if the snowstorm causes travel hazards that people are urged to stay home, health officials have checked what would happen to appointments scheduled for this week.

Indiana Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch stopped at the Brazil Elks Friday morning to learn how the City of Brazil implemented its $75,000 CARES Act grant last summer from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). Brazil City Planning Director Janet McClellan explained how Brazil partnered with the Clay County Emergency Food Pantry, First Christian Church, local businesses, and numerous community volunteers to provide four distributions. ...

The snow looks pretty, and even some animals enjoy playing in it. This 11-year-old puppy - "Soxie" - was caught enjoying a short romp in the snow Monday afternoon while wearing a comfy red coat. But not all animals are as lucky. According to the Clay County Humane Society and Rescue, they have received numerous calls about animals left outside without shelter. ...

The winter storm arrived overnight, and workers took to the city streets. Brazil Street employees were out at 7 a.m. Monday during the arrival of the winter storm. Brazil Street Supervisor Brian Bemis said, "it's going to be a long night ahead." The department will be working late Monday night into Tuesday morning as another round of heavy snow is expected to arrive...

Although the winter storm front causing concern for the National Weather Service and local residents has not arrived yet, Clay County officials are preparing for potentially heavy snow expected to come overnight. Clay County Emergency Management Director Rob Gambill works with local officials regarding the impending weather that could create snowfall ranging from a couple of inches to double digits...

Brazil Police Chief Clint McQueen understands the public's natural curiosity and desire to know what is happening but urges people to stay away from 100 Forest Park Plaza. "It's not potentially worth putting your safety into harm's way to see what is happening," McQueen said about the heavy traffic of numerous motorists driving through the parking lot. "It is a bomb threat, and our department is working on making sure that everyone is safe and the scene is secured."...

As of noon Thursday, February 10, the Indiana State Department of Health data shows the spread of COVID-19 in District 7 is in decline. Of the counties in Indiana’s District 7, along with Clay, Greene, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties are in YELLOW, with scores of 1.5...

The National Weather Service has placed Clay County and most of western Indiana in a wind chill warning from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, with wind chills expected to reach 20 degrees below zero.

Although their home was heavily damaged during what appears to be an electrical fire Thursday afternoon, the American Red Cross is providing temporary assistance to a Brazil family. Brazil Fire Chief Jake Bennett confirmed firefighters were on the scene at 310 North Desart Street for three hours battling the fire, hot spots, and freezing temperatures...

Ernie Simpson, Director of Human Resources for Clay Community Schools, passed away on Thursday. He was 42. Simpson was the principal at Northview High School from June 2012 to June 2015 before taking over the Human Resources position. He came to Northview from South Vermillion, where he had been an assistant principal from June 2011 to May 2012...

The lights are on at Northview High School's football field as a memorial for Ernie Simpson. Simpson, the Director of Human Services at Clay Community School Corporation, recently passed away. During Thursday evening's emotional school board of trustee's meeting, President Tom Reberger said the lights would be on throughout Thursday and into Friday evening as "Friday Night Lights for Ernie."...

The Brazil Public Library has a few tax forms available on a limited basis to patrons, director Jill Scarbrough said. The library is located at 204 N. Walnut St. "BPL has gone online and made copies of the State forms that our patrons have requested in the past and these are available for patrons to make copies of," Scarbrough said, noting that copies cost 20 cents per page. ...

A couple of Brazil businesses have some novel window displays of love along the main street. Traditions, at 105 East National Avenue, and Community Theatre of Clay County, at 8 East National Avenue, are spotlighting Valentine's Day decorations in time for February 14th...

Light snowfall is coming down Wednesday afternoon on National Avenue in Brazil. National Weather Service forecast for next few days: REST OF TODAY...Snow likely. New snow accumulation around 1 inch. Total snow accumulation 1 to 2 inches. Near steady temperature in the lower 20s. Northeast winds around 10 mph with gusts to around 20 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent...

Cloverleaf Healthcare in Knightsville has announced it will be resuming family visitations next week. The facility announced on its Facebook page Tuesday that family visitations will start on February 16. "These visitations are provided by scheduled days and times, with two visitors only," the facility said in its Facebook post. "Visitors will enter through the door on the south side in the front of the building."...

Expectations for the Clay County Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Clay County 4-H Fairgrounds were somewhat uncertain, but health officials accepted the gauntlet. Clay County Health Department’s Emergency Planning Coordinator Tom Champion helped organize and quickly implement the mass-dispensing site (AKA a Point Of Distribution (POD)) for the current COVID-19 vaccine. ...

As arctic temperatures arrive in Central Indiana over the weekend, frigid temperatures can cause issues for homeowners. The colder it gets, water can freeze inside brittle pipes, water molecules expand as ice forms, creating significant pressure buildup that can cause blockage or pipes to burst...

The Clay County Youth Food Program is seeking more volunteers to help with packing and delivery to local schools. “We are in awe of the few doing the work that has been done by many in the past,” the organization posted on its Facebook page. “We continue to struggle to have volunteers to get food to a couple of schools in Clay County North each week on Friday mornings before 10 a.m...

Alpha Delta Kappa’s Xi chapter held an outdoor meeting in October at Forest Park in Brazil. We celebrated Alpha Delta Kappa Month by remembering our county teachers. We provided gift cards for drawings, and baskets of candy to be placed in our teachers’ lounges at school. Mary Ray, Alison Pond and Rachel Fagg worked on making all the preparations and deliveries...

PLAINFIELD – When the weather turns cold, you bump up the thermostat in your home to stay comfortable. And even if you don’t, the plummeting temps outside make your heating system work harder to maintain your thermostat setting. When you get your electric bill a month later, the amount you owe seems much higher than you think it should be. And you ask yourself, “How did this happen?”...

The Indiana State Department of Health shows Clay County remains in the ORANGE category, as COVID-19 data shows 146 tests performed, with nine new cases reported as of February 7. Among Clay County’s estimated 26,501 residents, data at the Indiana State Department of Health shows 10,527 unique individuals have been tested, with 20,806 tests completed overall. A total of 2,327 positive cases were reported since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, with 42 deaths...