From Nevada County News Flash, by Laura Petersen, Nevada County public information contractor

NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. – July 24, 2025 –   Keether Merry’s relationship with drugs started early in life. So did his experience with incarceration. Then he turned his life around thanks to help from Nevada County Probation. 

…Merry shared how his personal experience with Nevada County Probation helped him break a downward cycle and change his life in a positive way. 

“What I can say about Nevada County Probation Department is they help facilitate a safe environment for people like me to better their lives. They facilitated an environment that motivated me to become willing to change and open minded enough to take in new ideas,” he said.

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“[Probation] professionals are on duty each and every day to assist juvenile and adult clients in becoming better citizens with productive lives. Working together makes for stronger bonds between colleagues, community partners and with those under supervision,” said Jeff Goldman, chief probation officer for Nevada County. 

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Probation officers monitor folks through home contacts and drug testing, help to ensure clients attend counseling sessions and find housing and employment. 

Probation has a proven ability to help rehabilitate people and reduce recidivism, using evidence-based strategies that change behavior. People are connected to opportunities like workforce development, substance use treatment, mental health services, family engagement and educational opportunities.

 “In rural communities such as ours, these officers are not only brokers of needed services, they are many times the provider of the services. Services include, cognitive behavioral interventions, mediation, case planning, motivational interviewing and much more,” said Goldman.

Officers also have a presence in local schools, providing opportunities and connections for youth. They support the courts by conducting sentencing reports and are a conduit of information regarding client progress. 

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Now a successful businessman, Merry shared how probation staff changed his life. 

He grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., one of seven children raised by a single mom. He moved to Nevada County when he was 14. 

At 25, after spending 90 days in a treatment facility with nothing to go home to, Merry recalled how a probation officer went out of their way to take him shopping for personal and work clothes, including work boots. 

“They literally helped in all facets of my life. The attitude of Nevada County probation officers is unlike any that I’ve ever experienced before. They really made me feel like they actually cared,” said Merry. 

This dedication to helping people turn their lives around is something Nevada County Probation professionals take seriously. 

“Community corrections professionals must be creative in finding solutions to make sure those they supervise have the support needed to find jobs, housing and treatment,” said Jeff Goldman. 

When Merry’s mother overdosed, probation staff were there for him.  “They showed support and love and helped me get through this really hard time to ensure I wasn’t going to do something to harm the progress that I had made,” he said. 

That kindness stuck with him. He’s been clean since Aug. 17, 2017 and married the love of his life, Jennifer, on Sept. 3, 2022. He invited probation officers to the wedding.

“For them to show up when I was off probation really enforced that they actually do care and they are actually there to help us get better,” said Merry.  

Seven years later, Merry is happily married and owns his business, Principled Plumbing Inc. where he employs others in recovery. As an active member of narcotics anonymous he has become a role model for others. 

The kind of support Merry experienced requires a community effort. By collaborating with local leaders, many officers are making a difference while faced with expanding caseloads and additional responsibilities.

“The judge and the probation officers and the chief of police for Grass Valley continually showed support even though there were hiccups. My life is really amazing now all due to these people. I’m really, really grateful,” he said. 

Read the full article here.