Do you strive to make a positive impact in the New Year? Have you always dreamed of rescuing animals or making a difference in your community? Now is the perfect opportunity to join the Nevada County Sheriff's H.E.A.R.T Team! We are accepting new member applications throughout January 2025. To apply, please contact the Sheriff's Office (530-265-7036) or scan the QR code provided at the end of our video. Timing is crucial, as training starts in February. If you are uncertain, we encourage you to attend one of our new member orientation sessions, scheduled for January 11th at 10 AM or January 19th at 2 PM in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at 950 Maidu Ave.
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TEVIS 2024
Staging location #2: Driver’s Flat in Foresthill, Auburn, mile marker 85/100.
Sheriffs H.E.A.R.T. members moved our camp from Olympic Valley to this location for our next assignment. It was about 103 degrees at the top of the canyon and even hotter down in the canyon. A couple of us hiked down about 3 miles down to a spot right on the river and directly on the Western States Trail/Tevis Trail. It was the perfect spot for us to stage with our rescue gear. The team brought all the equipment down and we set up camp for the night. Nothing but one red table light and red headlamps. … Oh, and that giant full moon in the sky that slowly rose over the mountain top and lit up the canyon for the horses and their riders. We watched every athlete, from the front runner to the very last sweeper team, pass by us and we cheered every single one of them on. The horses, some strong and full of vigor, others struggling to finish, were amazing to watch. Each and every one of them doing their best to please their rider! Some very sad accidents occurred during the race and two horses sadly didn’t survive. These incidents didn’t happen in our coverage zones but nevertheless it had an impact on our team. 139 riders started the race and passed us earlier that morning in Tahoe but only 56 passed us at our 2nd location. ☹️ At around 3 a.m. the “sweeper” horse team met us and informed us that all the riders have moved on to the quarry, where Eldorado SAR was staged, so we were released of our duties for the day! Despite being awake for more than 24 hours, the driving, hiking and trudging our equipment around in the intense heat, we were all still wide awake and energetic because of TEVIS! We quietly gathered all of our gear and packed up. One by one, we followed one another out of the canyon, back up to the top, where we said our goodbyes for the night! Hugs, high-fives and laughter was shared amongst the team! We did it! We successfully pulled off our first TEVI
THE SEARCH FOR SPARKY IS OVER! Here are the details of this morning’s event:
This morning (6/21) at 1:43 AM a resident on serpentine Way contacted the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and reported he could see a horse walking on his property via his ring camera. The reporting party advised the horse did not have a saddle or any other tack on and it was walking along the NID canal towards Fuller lake. Deputy Sonnier and Deputy Morales immediately went to the area where the reporting party indicated his camera was and began their search for Sparky. Sergeant Holdcroft then notified me of the sighting and I telephoned Judy, Sparky’s mom, and gave her the news of the sighting. Judy and I then headed up to the location where Sparky was spotted.
Deputy Sonnier and Morales conducted a significant search of the area and after some time they spotted him. Sparky kept his distance from the deputies as he was likely frightened or confused . I then drove Judy down Camp 19 Trail and along the NID canal and when we spotted Sparky Judy got out of my vehicle and approached Sparky on foot!
At 5:25am sparky was reunited with his mama.
It was a very special moment and we all felt very relieved and grateful that Sparky was safe and not seriously injured. He had some cuts and scrapes but otherwise was fine! Judy then walked Sparky out to the roadway, with a 3-deputy escort! At the road, Sparky loaded right up and was ready go home!
A very special “Thank You” to Deputies Sonnier and Morales for spending hours in the dark , tracking Sparky! They didn’t give up, even though Sparky kept running away from them. Thank you Sgt. Holdcroft for supporting our search for Sparky and for promptly providing the necessary resources to ensure a successful outcome.
Thank you to all of the people in our community that spent their time searching through the rough terrain to help find Sparky! The support for this mission was incredible!
And, of course, a BIG Thank You to our ♥️ team me
AMAZING NEWS TO REPORT!
♥️Sparky has been located! We’re out with him now. He’s safe and sound!
More details will follow!
Sparky Update: June 21st at 3:34 am.
Wonderful News! Sparky has been spotted. Judy (Sparky’s Mom) was immediately notified and we currently have boots on the ground trying to find him.
Let’s bring Sparky home!
More updates will be posted as soon as we have more news!
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More of our LATR training
The Sheriff's HEART (Humane Emergency Animal Rescue Team) is a nonprofit animal rescue group. IRS EIN: 93-2769904
