Stories from Monday, May 30, 2011

Merlin T. Kirk, 74, Brazil, died May 28, 2011, unexpectedly at his home. He was born Dec. 25, 1936, in Morgan County, the son of Daniel Kirk and Goldie Lorraine Bange Kirk. He graduated from Monrovia High School. He moved to the Brazil area in 1954, when he began his career with the Air National Guard. He achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and last worked as a training systems technician...

Robert "Bob" E. Headley, 63, Brazil, died May 29, 2011, at the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, Marion Campus. He had been a patient there for almost three years. He was born Feb. 22, 1948, in Clay County, the son of Bert and Faye Headley. He graduated from Brazil High School...

Leila Marie (Skelton) Boyll, 77, Surprise, Ariz., originally from Bowling Green, died peacefully in her sleep Saturday, May 28, 2011, after fighting cirrhosis of the liver. Marie was born April 28, 1934, in the main bedroom of the "oldest brick house," in Bowling Green, as the third daughter (and sixth child) of Arnold and Ruth (Blair) Skelton...

JASONVILLE -- The Clay City Eels' baseball squad advanced to the Shakamak Sectional Final Monday afternoon after knocking off the Lakers in the semifinals, 8-3. Clay City used a seven-run fourth inning to propel itself to the finals. Brylan Jones picked up the win for the Eels. He is 8-1 on the season...

By CAREY FOX Times Sports Editor PUTNAMVILLE -- Lincoln Park Speedway once again avoided the majority of the damp weather that several Indiana racetracks fell victim to on Saturday night and that gave several drivers the opportunity to visit victory lane for the first...

To the Editor: The Transitional Work Experience Program at Northview High School would like to express appreciation publicly for businesses personal interest, support and endeavor. We would also like to thank the businesses who have provided a monetary donation to this program, which provides my students a paid/incentive to do their best at their jobsite and give the student motivation into their transition from school to work...

To the Editor: Is safe sex being confused with abortion? Due to a recent law that Mitch Daniels signed into effect immediately, many clients of Planned Parenthood suddenly found that Medicaid would no longer cover services like birth control and medical exams...

To the Editor: May 23 was a very special evening for the members of the Northview High School choir. Awards were presented by Choir Director Kristina Waugh, at the awards banquet, supported by the Knights' Choral Boosters. Several eighth-grade choir members served the choir members and their families with a traditional banquet meal...

Warner weather, thunderstorms, and eight-legged creatures abound. Spring is almost over. Part of my and many other's late-spring ritual is cleaning the flowerbeds, the garage, and yard of the clutter, mess and spider webs. Many, many times, I have quickly pulled back my hand while suppressing a "girl-like" scream at the sight of a large wolf spider or other eight-legged little creature. Don't judge me: Spiders can be intimidating...

The Brazil Concert Band, under the direction of Matthew S. Huber, will open the 2011 season Sunday, June 5, at 8 p.m., at the Forest Park Band Shell or pavilion if it rains. Now in its 154th year of continuous operation, the band will present "Seen and Heard," dedicated to the late Jim Dressler (1935-2011), former long-time editor of The Brazil Times. He was a journalist for 38 years...

John Philip Huber didn't expect such a prompt reply. The 2010 Indiana State University graduate and Brazil resident had sent an audition DVD to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff, Wales, earlier this year and only weeks later, was informed he had been accepted to continue his studies there...

Danny and Brittney Reyher believe in the power of prayer. "If it weren't for prayer, I don't believe our family would be together right now," Brittney recently told The Brazil Times. "The plan that we had for our family was not at all what God had planned for us."...

JASONVILLE -- The Shakamak Lakers have been a thorn in nearly every other teams' side during sectional action, having won the last eight sectional titles in a row. On Monday afternoon, the Clay City Eels put a halt to that run, exploding for seven runs in the fourth inning off Lakers' starter, Brock Dowell, and cruising to an 8-3 victory to advance to the title game. ...

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Dan Wheldon embarked on his new mission Monday -- finding a job. Less than 24 hours after JR Hildebrand's crash gave the Englishman an improbable second Indianapolis 500 title, Wheldon was contemplating his racing future. With no ride lined up for IndyCar's next two stops -- Texas and Milwaukee -- or any other venue this year, his season could be one and done...

By CAREY FOX Times Sports Editor JASONVILLE -- Pitching depth in the postseason is never more relevant than in a sectional where you play three games in three days, including two contests over the course of one seven-hour stretch. On Monday evening, the well ran dry for Clay City's baseball team against Class A second-ranked North Central (Farmersburg). ...

Patty J. Swearingen, 82, Brazil, passed away in her home, surrounded by her loving family, on May 29, 2011, at 10:50 a.m. She was born July 9, 1928, in Terre Haute, the daughter of John R. Means and Rose Etta Powell Means. She graduated from Staunton High School, class of 1946...

Bertha Jean McKinney, 85, Seelyville, Ind., went to be with the Lord at 8:15 a.m., Sunday, May 29, 2011. She was at home with all of her family around her. She was born Sept. 12, 1925, in Brazil, as the daughter of Rev. Harley and Bertha Mae Wright Holley...