Authorities search for foothills woman

Search and rescue teams from the Placer County Sheriff's Department continue to search for a missing Alta woman Thursday.Mary Alice Helm, 44, was last seen in the area of Kearsage Mill Court near the Drum Forebay exit of interstate 80."We are continuing our efforts to search for Mary Helm," Lt. Jeff Ausnow, spokesman for the sheriff's department said Thursday. Seventeen search and rescue volunteers searched by ground, seven dog units were called in as well as four horseback searchers, he said.Officials say she is dependent on medication for a health condition and did not leave her residence with any of her medicine."She did not take her purse, a vehicle or any additional clothing," Ausnow said. She may have been wearing a brown suede jacket with a green collar and white tennis shoes with pink trim on the soles.Helm was last known to be in the Kearsage Mill Court area Jan. 16. She has not been seen or heard from since that time. Officials say she has family and friends in the Sacrament area, but has not contacted them since Jan. 14.Anyone who may have seen or had contact with Helm is asked to contact the Placer county Sheriff's Department at (530) 889-7800.- Penne UsherMissing womanMissing since Jan. 16, Mary Alice Helm, 44, is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.