Placer County Sheriff's Office to host Special Olympics Torch Run in Auburn

Placer County agencies have participated in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run for 20 years. It started at Beals Point and ended in Sacramento. There is a new route for a new event this year. The Placer County Sheriff's Office is hosting the first Placer County Law Enforcement Torch Run on Thursday, June 24, in Auburn. "We used to run from Beals to the state Capitol. This year, they asked us to do something ourselves," said Sgt. Ty Conners, community services/school resource with the Placer County Sheriff's Office. "We are running the Special Olympics torch bringing attention to people about Special Olympics." Several agencies are involved, including the Auburn, Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln police departments, CHP, Placer County Probation, the Placer County District Attorney's Office, State Parks and CAL FIRE. The torch run begins at 9 a.m. at the Auburn Justice Center, proceeds along sidewalks on Highway 49 to Nevada Street, cuts up Elm Avenue into downtown by the clock tower and ends at the historic courthouse. There will be temporary intersection closures to allow the runners to pass, according to Conners. Conners said 30 or 40 people are running. He said CAL FIRE will raise a flag over Atwood Road when the torch passes Station 180. A caravan of police vehicles will join the run at the midway point at the Regal Cinemas on Nevada Street and follow for the remainder of the run, "kind of like a parade thing," Conners said. "We want people to come out and cheer on the runners and help support the Special Olympics," he said. The Placer County Sheriff's Office has raised $7,580 (with a goal of $8,000) toward the Special Olympics, which ranks fifth among Northern California agencies, according to specialolympics.donordrive.com.