News

Officials are working to resolve a local hostage situation involving weapons peacefully at the Best Western Plus Inn. According to Indiana State Police Public Information Officer for the Putnamville Post Trooper Matt Ames, the incident began shortly after 10 a.m., Thursday... When the US Marshals Office, with the local Clay County Sheriff Department's assistance, attempted to serve an arrest warrant on an unidentified suspect located at the hotel,

According to a press release issued from the Clay Community School Corporation, students will return to school Monday, Dec. 7, 2020: "After joint discussions between Clay Community Schools (CCS) Administrators and local health officials, it has been determined that schools will reopen on Monday, December 7, 2020, for in-person learning. ...

Check here to see which governmental entities are meeting this month.

The Brazil Times staff is organizing a list of local Christmas light displays to help people interested in taking a tour this year to get in the holiday spirit, not to drive around looking for them aimlessly. 8427 N St Rd 59, Brazil...

With the official groundbreaking of the Buell Community Center, the dreams of providing a significant and meaningful gathering spot for our neighbors are real. With that anticipation, we are excited to announce that an anonymous donor has stepped forward to contribute up to $1 Million in a “Challenge Gift” to the community. ...

Submitted Hamilton Center, Inc. was established as a community mental health center in 1971, and has served Clay County since 1973, providing quality behavioral health, wellness and human development services to central and west central Indiana. The organization’s vision is to advance excellence in behavioral health services through compassion, customer responsiveness, innovation and flexibility...

Submitted The Energy Assistance Program through Western Indiana Community Action Agency, Inc. is accepting applications for assistance. This federally funded program is designed to help low-income families with the high costs of home energy. Income eligible families are provided a one-time benefit to their heating and electric accounts to offset some of the cost of utility bills during the winter months...

The Indiana State Police is now accepting applications for the 81st Recruit Academy.  Individuals who are interested in beginning a rewarding career as an Indiana State Trooper must apply online at http://www.in.gov/isp/2368.htm.  This website will provide a detailed synopsis of the application process as well as information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police...

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of things in 2020. However, it might spur a renewed interest in Christmas Light Tours because a family can jump in the car and drive around to see holiday magic without the worry of social distancing...

Officials admit an accident Saturday night has them scratching their heads. According to officials at the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, shortly before 7 p.m., a motorist reported to Clay County 911 Dispatch watching a semi-truck drive off the I-70 overpass and crash onto State Road 59 in front of them...

Chester Drake was born March 27, 1883, and raised in Clay County, Indiana. He was the son of Steward and Deliah (Tressel) Drake. For one season, he traveled as a member of the Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey circus orchestra. He married Edna Lash, formerly of Patricksburg, in November 1910. She had been an accomplished pianist.

Organizers of Saturday’s first-ever “Hometown Christmas” event in Brazil admit they didn’t know what to expect, but were pleased with the outcome of the day-long festivities. The day featured several businesses in Brazil being used as sites for a scavenger hunt, in which participants had a sheet stamped for visiting each one...

While Clay County is currently designated ORANGE (with a rating of 2.5) by the Indiana State Department of Health, the data reports show COVID-19 positive cases are declining with the newest data available as of Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. Data shows new tests administered were 156 (the overall total is 13,442 tests), with 25 new positive cases, bringing the overall local total to 1,351...

The display lights were on early this year during the annual Christmas In The Park at Forest Park, Brazil, Indiana. Hundreds of cars were in the park, with people walking around enjoying the displays before the fireworks started at 8 p.m. If you were not able to get out to see the event, for whatever reason, The Brazil Times staff were there to catch the finale for you...

GREENCASTLE – Incidents of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and substance abuse go up during hard economic times, like we have experienced in 2020 as we have all suffered through the COVID-19 pandemic. Job losses, foreclosures, health issues and fear for the future put tremendous stress on families...

As of noon Friday, Nov. 27, the Indiana State Department of Health confirmed the number of positive COVID-19 cases reached 1,300. It is showing 257 new tests performed, with an increase of 75 new positive cases since Wednesday. There have been 23 deaths reported since the beginning of the pandemic in March...

While many traditional parts of Brazil's Christmas in the Park celebration were canceled when Clay County was labeled as "red" for a high number of COVID-19 cases, some parts of the festivities will continue. On Friday, Santa will be in Santa's house in Forest Park (pending approval of the county health department) from 6-8 p.m...

UPDATE: As of noon Wednesday, the Indiana State Department of Health downgraded Clay County to ORANGE status. However, COVID-19 data continues to show a spike. Showing 242 new tests performed in 24-hours, with an increase of 31 new positive cases (bringing the overall total to 1,225), a new death reported on Nov. 23, and a 25.7% Unique Positivity Rate. The data shows 7,535 residents have been tested, with an overall total of 12,463 tests completed since the pandemic began in March.

A row of Christmas trees line East Center Street in Forest Park for Christmas In The Park Light Display, with members of The Brazil Times decorating their tree Wednesday afternoon in the rain. A few of the trees are still available for people to decorate and help make the park as festive as possible when the lights come on Friday evening after the fireworks show. ...

Effective immediately, the Clay County Humane Society is going back to visitations and adoptions by appointment only. Masks are required to enter the building (no exceptions). This change is due to the rising positive cases in Clay County and the surrounding areas and possible direct exposures at the shelter...

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce and Brazil Main Street are co-sponsoring the first-ever Hometown Christmas celebration on Saturday, which will include a scavenger hunt. Local businesses and vendors all across Clay County will be open with special activities. A scavenger hunt starts at 10 a.m. involving stops at several participating businesses will result in big prizes.

Although the annual Christmas In The Park Parade was canceled, people are busy setting up displays for the Christmas Light Show at Forest Park. The park is a hub of activity as various people stop by to work on the project. Work will continue this week to prepare the annual lights being turned after the fireworks display Friday evening...

I know money is tough these days, and every organization seems to have its collective hands out seeking money to help people in need. Today’s column is to ask for support of someone I don’t know, but many of you probably do. Terry Batchelor is one of eight siblings in his family who have served our country, and is in need of some help...

There’s a new Veterans Service Officer for Clay County, and he’s looking forward to helping local veterans. “I will be here (in the Veterans Service Office, #104 on the main floor of the Clay County Courthouse) five days a week, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.,” said Randy Kaelber, who replaced retiring Mike Holland on October 30. “If people need an appointment for another time, I will stay for them.”...

The Indiana State Department of Health confirms Clay County remains in RED (a high spread level warning), with the Total Positive Cases of COVID-19 reaching 1,156. With the ISDH providing a free testing site in the county last week, there will be more data within a few days as those results come back...

The Clay County Health Department, in cooperation with the Indiana State Department of Health, will offer free COVID-19 testing to all Clay County residences. The test site will be held in Brazil's Forest Park Cow Palace on: • Tuesday, November 24 - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m...

Residents put their masks on and tried to keep their distance during the annual Staunton Community Center Craft Fair Saturday. The Lady Volunteers sponsor the annual event, allowing people to shop local artisans wares and find great Christmas gifts, home decor, or something for themselves during the event at the Staunton Community Center...

A RED FLAG Warning was issued November 19 until 7 p.m. by National Weather Service in Indianapolis for Clay County. Around 10:10 p.m., a resident came home to discover a brush fire in the area of several homes near 4800 North Happy Holler Road. “When our first firefighter got there, half of the backyard was on fire, a barn was on fire, and half of the woods was on fire. ...

NOTE: This is the first of a two-part column about living life the “right” way. The second part will run in Wednesday’s Brazil Times. Did you know there is a short short primer for right living? Following the instructions contained in this primer will us help build strong and healthy relationships with just about everybody in our family, our workplace, our church family, and even the drivers sharing the road with us. ...

On October 10, 1934, Arketex Ceramic Corporation purchased the Hydraulic Press Brick Company, in Brazil, by former Illinois Governor, John H. Stelle in 1934. Mr. Stelle, chairman of the Arketex Board of Directors assumed general operations and control of the three plants at 7 o’clock this morning. ...

To allow employees to be with family for Thanksgiving, the Clay County Commissioners have announced that the Courthouse, Highway Department, Health Department, Extension Office, Community Corrections, Soil and Water Conservation Office, and the WIC Office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26th and 27th...

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Brazil Times will publish on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The Times office will be closed from Thursday through Sunday. Readers are encouraged to check www.thebraziltimes.com for obituaries and breaking news...

Superintendent Jeff Fritz issued the announcement Friday, Nov. 20 in an email: "Clay County remains in the RED category on the ISDH’s COVID-19 Dashboard’s Color Code System. Clay County is witnessing an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases throughout the county and also seeing an increase of hospitalizations related to the virus...

STAUNTON – Thanksgiving is the most dangerous day of the year for home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). This year, with the Centers for Disease Control advising against even small indoor gatherings to stop the spread of COVID-19, more people than ever before are planning to cook at home — many of them for the first time. Although this is good news for slowing the coronavirus, it creates more opportunities for loss and injury due to cooking fires...

The Salvation Army of Clay County is looking for individuals, families, and church groups to serve as bell ringers during the upcoming kettle season at our local Wal-Mart. They will be two-hour shifts and shifts are only allowed to have one or two people per shift this year...

To allow employees to be with family for Thanksgiving, the Clay County Commissioners have announced that the Courthouse, Highway Department, Health Department, Extension Office, Community Corrections, Soil and Water Conservation Office, and the WIC Office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26th and 27th...

It's been a steady line of people wanting to get tested for the coronavirus at the local testing site this week. The Clay County Health Department confirmed Friday afternoon 589 people have stopped by Forest Park to be tested for COVID-19. The nasopharyngeal testing was scheduled to continue through Saturday...

Executive Order 20-48 was signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb on November 13. The order came as the number of COVID-19 positive cases are skyrocketing across the state. The 7-day positivity rate is currently 12.2%, up a full 7.9% from the day Stage 5 was announced in Indiana.

The Wabash Valley Community Foundation’s Clay County affiliate, the Clay County Community Foundation, has successfully met the $500,000 challenge grant. This challenge grant was provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.’s GIFT (Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow) VII initiative...

Getting out to vote was essential to many people this year. Voters took to social media to display their "I voted" stickers in selfies and urge others to do the same. It took a couple of recounts, but the 2020 general election appears to be over. President-elect Joe Biden is presumed the winner of the most massive voter turnout recorded in a presidential election since 1900...

While the Northern Indiana forecast area is fortunate enough to not have the forest fires that plague the western states, residents are NOT exempt from fire dangers. A Red Flag Warning was issued November 19 until 7 p.m. by National Weather Service in Indianapolis for Fire Weather Zone 052, which is Clay County...

The Brazil Times relies upon local sources to update the public about COVID-19 in long-term care (LTC) facilities instead of the Indiana State Department of Health’s Dashboard Data for Long Term Care Facilities (https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/). The data at the state level is on a separate filing system, which has delayed providing up-to-date information to the public about the four local facilities;...

Brazil City employees were out early Thursday, Nov. 19, picking up leaves in the northwest quadrant. Where do the leaves go? Brazil Street Supervisor Brian Bemis said there are 50-60 trailers filled with leaves each fall, and they are taken to Yankee Rose Gardens and Landscape in Brazil to be turned into compost...

A social bubble is a small group of people who socialize only with each other and gather only when sticking to the same prevention measures. While a social bubble can give you more in-person interactions, it doesn’t mean socializing with everyone you know. Even...

Although the Christmas In the Park Parade was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Christmas light show at Forest Park will still go on. People were in the park Friday, Nov. 13, setting up displays.

Cars were lined up early Tuesday at the Forest Park Cow Palace, with COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab testing starting before 9 a.m. There was a line of cars, but the time to take the tests was still quick at approximately 15 minutes. The free test site is available to Clay County residents Nov. 17-21, from 9 am to 6 pm., for drive-through or walk-up. This test is confidential, and results are expected within 3 to 5 days...

According to the Indiana State Department of Health, Clay County remains in the “RED” with a 3 on the state dashboard score due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. With a 7-Day Positivity Rate for “unique individuals tested” (82 new tests performed) of 30%. As of Nov. 16, 6,555 of the 26,501 Clay County residents have were tested, with a total of 10,636 tests overall since March...

Moose Lodge No. 780 of Brazil had its official grand reopening on Saturday after extensively remodeling its interior. Lodge administrator James Gaskill said Monday that the organization’s building at 225 S. Depot St. in Brazil had the following upgrades:...

Farmers are busy on good weather days any time of the year. However, with the fall harvest upon us, farmers are traveling the rural roadways, highways, and including Brazil streets. Sometimes with large farm implements. Early Tuesday morning, several large farm implements were seen on the city streets and at the intersection of State Road 59 and US 40 as farmers traveled to area fields to harvest crops...

Brazil’s American Legion Post #2 holds the honor of being the second post organized in Indiana, and its members have been serving Clay County for more than 100 years. According to the post’s charter dated October 1, 1920, current members were ready to celebrate the anniversary this year until the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. ...