Jackson County crews search; family was expected in Gold Beach Nov. 25
Staff and wire reports
Jackson County searchers joined a widespread effort to look for a San Francisco family reported missing while driving through Oregon.
James Kim, 35, a senior editor for CNET Networks Inc.; his wife, Kati, 30, the operator of two Bay Area retail businesses; and daughters, Penelope, 4, and Sabine, 7 months, disappeared en route from Portland to the Tu Tu' Tun Lodge in Gold Beach Nov. 25 on their way home to San Francisco, Oregon State Police reported.
Troopers surveyed highways that run from Interstate 5 to the Oregon coast, as well as Highway 101 Friday, looking for any sign of the family, their silver 2005 Saab 92X with California
personalized license plate DOESF, or any indication that the vehicle had crashed off the highways.
Search-and-rescue teams from Coos, Curry and Josephine counties combed remote roads known for their winter impassability. Jackson County searchers joined in with a private helicopter and could send a Sno-Cat to travel snow-covered forest roads, Sheriff Mike Winters said.
Curry County sheriff's deputies used 4x4 vehicles and were able to reach about milepost 18 on Bear Camp Road where the snow and ice stopped their advance, OSP reported Friday night. Josephine County authorities called for their Sno-Cat to respond to search the remaining 20 miles of road.
The Coos County Sheriff's Office sent 4x4 vehicles to the Agness Pass area, and also sent 4x4 vehicles into the Eden Valley as far as they could get past Mount Bolivar. The U.S. Forest Service roads through the remote area intersect with each other.
The Oregon Army National Guard sent a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from Salem to assist in the aerial search. California Highway Patrol and Coast Guard reportedly were assisting in the search, as well.
OSP, the agency coordinating Oregon search efforts and news releases, reported that relatives of the Kims have hired helicopter companies to fly the major roads from Interstate 5 to Highway 101, specifically Highway 42, Highway 38 and Highway 126.
Friends and co-workers reported the family missing to San Francisco police early this week when they didn't return from a Thanksgiving trip to Seattle. The family and their car were entered into a national law enforcement computer database as missing. Police agencies across Oregon have kept an eye out for the family and OSP has appealed to the public for tips.
The Kims were last seen in Portland Nov. 25, OSP said. The Tu Tu Tun Lodge in Gold Beach reported they had called to have a key left for them because they were going to arrive late. But, San Francisco police said, the family never picked up the key nor did they check in.
The Kims reportedly own two stores in San Francisco — Doe, a clothing store in the city's Lower Haight area, and the Church Street Apothecary, bath and beauty shop in the Noe Valley neighborhood — where they live.
The Kims are known for keeping in touch daily with their friends and co-workers, either by phone or e-mail, but haven't been heard from since Saturday, according to information posted on CNET.com, a technology news site.
Thanks for that information VF...