Photo Galleries

Students from all over Clay County descended upon North Clay Middle School Monday for a quick dose of reality as they prepare to enter high school and, ultimately, their careers. The event is in its 29th year and is sponsored by Clay County Business Women.

From 6-8 p.m. Monday night, all the various costumes you could imagine were on display for Trick-or-Treating along US 40. More than 40 businesses participated in the first event organized by The Brazil Times. Times General Manager Christina Meyer was so excited and happy with the community's support. How many people were there? Several of the stands ran out of candy during the event, and people went to purchase more as the crowd of those costumed and young-at-heart kept coming, including several dogs.

A photo essay of the unique history of our county in vintage pictures.

Mother Nature has filled her colorful paintbrush with the colors of Fall in Clay County. Please enjoy these pictures throughout the county taken while out and about doing a reporter's job.

The best cake in Brazil this year was Jodi Lohrman, owner of Honeysuckle Hill Bee-stro, at Sweet Feast, on Sunday, Sept. 11, where eight local bakeries competed for the top prize. Lohrman donated her $400 prize back to CASA of Clay County. The contest was held at White Pine Manor and organized by owner JoAnn Wilkerson. Wilkerson said they sold all 100 tickets in 24 hours, and that the $1,000 raised will also be donated to CASA of Clay County. Second place prize was $200 and went to Sprinkles and Swirls, owned by Tracy Pattengale. Third place and a $100 prize went to Bite this Bakery and owner Kassie Gunn.

The 2022 Brazil Mayor’s Ride supports the Clay County Humane Society. It was a beautiful clear day for over 100 motorcyclists, and jeeps took off from Brazil City Hall to participate in the ride at 3 p.m, with Mayor Brian Wyndham in the lead. Riders will return to the American Legion Post #2 at 10 North Depot St., Brazil, for the after party, including food, entertainment, a silent auction, and live music by “15th & Hulman.” All proceeds from the 11th annual event will be donated to Clay County Humane Society.

Clay City VFW & Auxiliary Family Freedom Festival The first Family Freedom Festival was Saturday, Sept. 10, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 507 Nye St., in Clay City. The event is planned to continue each year, and was hosted by the Clay City VFW and also the Auxiliary. The free event was open to everyone. Michele Jackson, who helped coordinate the event, said they probably had about 300 attendees throughout the day.

Families took advantage of the good weather Sunday afternoon to enjoy the beach at Raccoon Lake north of Brazil. It was the last opportunity for an outing before school began for the year.

A new tradition continues at Northview High School. Seniors select and decorate their own parking spots at Northview High School. This is the second year of the project. Enjoy these photos of the designs in progress.

Raising $510 for the Clay County Youth Food Delivery Program in four hours, another Food Truck Friday will take place on August 26, 2022. This fundraising event was organized by the staff of the Clay County Prosecutor's Office. Enjoy the photos taken by Times Co-Editor Ivy Jacobs.

All Rise Fireworks allowed The Brazil Times closer access to the production on July 4th, 2022, at Forest Park Elementary.

The Brazil Rotary Club’s 87th Annual 4th of July Festival happened at Forest Park last weekend, ending Monday.

The Brazil Rotary Club’s 87th annual 4th of July Festival opened Thursday at FOREST PARK. The 4th of July Celebration is June 30-July 4! Free nightly entertainment throughout the upcoming festival. {lease enjoy these snapshots by The Brazil Times Co-Editor Ivy Jacobs.

2022 GOALS Academy Graduates Matthew Auterson Sara Auterson Emily Bailey Draven Eclipse Bender Dustin Nathaniel Bryan Ean Kendrick Close Kaci Crosley Louis Delson Aristhene Grant Ferry Dalten Ford Samantha J, Francis Jordon James Michael Goopasture Lane Robert Luther Goodpasture Kody Johnson Caitlynn Alexandra Long Grace Long Chloe Mackey Malachi McClelland Aaron Matthew McKinney Victoria Loretta Grace McKinney Megan Miller Lydia Preston Paige Rutherford Riley Spradlin Kaleb Staley Kyleen Whitecotten

Northview High School Percussion has returned from a world championship last weekend, finishing ninth, in their first trip to the national stage. They competed in Percussion Scholastic A, which means they went up against other high schools and not independent groups. Other groups competing in Dayton, Ohio came from as far away as California, Oregon, South Carolina, Florida and Hawaii, among others, said Dominic Thompson, Director of Bands at Northview. In the first round preliminaries, Northview finished 16th out of 47 groups and were in the top 24 schools, moving on to semifinals. They finished 12th in semifinals, with the top 16 schools moving on to finals. In the Finals, they placed 9th. “It was very exciting, them being a finalist on the national level for the first time,” Thompson said. “The kids had a great experience and they represented Northview well.”

After arriving at the annual community Easter Egg Hunt by hot air balloon, the Easter Bunny took time to greet children and their parents Saturday morning at Forest Park in Brazil. Hundreds of children and their families had a chance to gather Easter Eggs at various park sites appropriate for their age groups. The event was sponsored by the Brazil First Christian Church and the Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch.

It was a very exciting morning at Van Buren Elementary today. Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Susan Maurer was presented with a Golden Apple Award from WTHI. The award honors teachers considered "golden" by their students and peers.

The lawsuit against the Clay County Commissioners, Clay County Council, and the Clay County Sheriff's Department alleging violations against the Indiana Open Door Law and Indiana Access to Public Records Act has been dismissed. The Brazil Times has confirmed these documents' validity in the public record and posted these documents for the public to read online.

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.