Stories from Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The Clay Community Schools Creating Positive Relationships (CPR) program received an $8,000 grant for comprehensive abstinence-based curriculum to educate about the consequences of sexual choices from the Clay County Community Foundation Tuesday. In total, $32,550 in grants was awarded during the annual reception. Pictured are (from left Community Foundation President Mike Lawson and CPR Director Kandace Brown...

The last few mornings have been rather cool. Our new, user friendly, Heat Surge unit knocks the chill, quickly and keeps precious oil from passing through the nozzle of the furnace, for now. I can't kick on the performance of the handsome little marvel, thus far. The Amish fireplace provides good heat. I'm hoping that our purchase will help lower the heating oil bill this winter, as promised...

Odena Harper called to remind me of the Clay Community Retired Teachers Game Night scheduled for Oct. 21. The group plans at least two get-togethers each year, one in spring and one in the fall. Game Night will last from 7-9 p.m. at Kennedy Crossing Center. Odena said they were planning for games, snacks, and prizes. Trivial Pursuit, Bingo, and just plain ole' sitting around to visit will be offered for those folks who don't want to play cards...

Clay County Courthouse The following transactions took place at the Clay County Courthouse Oct. 6-7. Clay Superior Court -- Civil Citimortgage, Inc. Vs. Roy E. Watkins Jr. and Tessa J. Watkins: Mortgage Foreclosure Clay Circuit Court -- Civil American Acceptance Company, LLC Vs. Candi Wolfe: Civil Collecctions...

"Take 5," a high-energy action packed night for kids and teams will take place this Friday at the Old Junior High School gymnasium, 202 N. Washington St., Brazil. Sports will begin at 8 p.m., with volleyball, basketball, dodgeball and air tramp. Featured movies will be the animated version of "The Wind and the Willows," and "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius."...

Due to differences in publication dates in other newspapers, the Clay County Auditor's Office has changed the dates for advertising tax sale information. The new publication dates will be on three consecutive Wednesdays, Oct. 29, Nov. 5 and Nov. 12...

All children deserve a voice in their own destiny. Every year, more than half a million children are abused and neglected at the hands of people they should be able to trust to nurture and keep them safe. Clay County is no exception to the rule and each week, the Clay County Courts and the Indiana Department of Child Services in Clay County are faced with the overwhelming responsibility to protect children...

The Northview High School Choirs performed Wednesday night at the Northview High School Auditorium. The fall showcase, "Come to the Water," was performed by both the Symphonic Choir (pictured) and the Knight Singers under the direction of Kristina Waugh. Kimberly Gleason Photo...

In the middle of a downpour, firefighters from Jackson and Van Buren Township Volunteer Fire departments battled heavy smoke to put out an electrical fire at a rural Clay County residence Tuesday evening. Shortly after 9 p.m., Marilyn Stough called 911 dispatchers to report a fire in her home at 8685 North County Road 200 East, Brazil. At the time, she told dispatchers the fire possibly started in electrical plug for the toaster and was spreading toward a trashcan...

CENTER POINT -- According to town officials, Town Marshal Ken Wilkins is already on duty in Center Point. At the town's Tuesday meeting, officials said Wilkins is now patrolling the streets while also taking time to attend Indiana Law Enforcement Academy classes in Plainfield...

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer BLOOMINGTON -- Kyle Taber spent last October sitting quietly secluded from reporters on Indiana's media day. Back then, the Hoosiers were considered a Big Ten favorite, a possible Final Four team and there were plenty of other big-names to tell stories...

By RUSTY MILLER AP Sports Writer People around the country are starting to notice Northwestern is 5-0. Too bad some of its own students haven't. Running back Tyrell Sutton has seen increased fan support on campus but still gets frustrated with the abundance of support for other Big Ten teams by his peers...

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer BOSTON -- Daisuke Matsuzaka will be on the mound for the Red Sox when the AL championship series begins Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays. That doesn't make him Boston's ace. Josh Beckett is still No. 1 in the Red Sox rotation -- especially during the playoffs -- even though he had the worst outing of the three Boston starters who faced the Los Angeles Angels in the first round. ...

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Martin Truex Jr. is aware of the criticism that Dale Earnhardt Inc. might be in trouble. One car is leaving at the end of the season, sponsorship is scarce, and the wins have all dried up. Daunting challenges are surely ahead for DEI, but as the face of the organization, Truex isn't ready to say their time as a contending team in Sprint Cup is over. ...

By CLIFF BRUNT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS -- Chris Paul scored 17 points, and the New Orleans Hornets beat the Pacers 105-71 in Indiana's preseason opener on Wednesday night. Former Pacer Peja Stojakovic scored 14 points and Tyson Chandler had 11 rebounds for the Hornets, who topped Golden State 106-103 in their preseason opener on Sunday...

Staff Report CLOVERDALE -- The North Clay volleyball teams improved on their season records with wins over Putnam County foes, Greencastle and Cloverdale this week. The North Clay eighth-grade scored a 25-10, 25-22 win over the Tiger Cubs on Monday night as Chandler Pell led the way with seven points followed by five apiece from Alexus Bex, Taylor Dickison, Billie McClain and Sierra Girton, who also had two aces...

By CAREY FOX Times Sports Editor The battle for Western Indiana Conference supremacy was one for the ages as Northview and Owen Valley went to the wire for the championship. In the end, it was Northview that had lost a two games to none lead, that found its rhythm in time to win a 25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 21-25, 15-11 match to earn the conference title...