Recreation

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST – Fire restrictions were lifted on the Mendocino National Forest on Friday, forest officials reported.

That means that forest visitors may once again have open campfires and camp stoves outside of designated campgrounds providing they are in possession of a valid California Campfire Permit, as well as use welding equipment, operate internal combustion engines and smoke.

"The cooler Fall temperatures and some percipitation have reduced the threat of extreme fire danger, and the prediction is for more precipitation next week," said Forest Supervisor tom Contreras.

Fire management officials stress that the Northern California fire season is not yet over. "Larger fuels in the forest are fairly dry and the potential still exists for new fire starts," said Assistant Forest Fire Management Officer Steve Decker. "We ask that visitors use good fire sense and remember to never leave campfires unattended."

Visitors may obtain a free California Campfire Permit from any Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or Cal Fire office prior to going out into the forest.

The permit lists requirements for clearing ground around camp fires, how to completely extinguish fires and which tools must be kept at the campfire site at all times.

For additional information, please contact Decker at (530) 934-3316, TTY (530) 934-7724.

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UKIAH – The Mendocino College Eagles Volleyball team dropped their Bay Valley Conference opener to the defending BVC champion Solano College Falcons Wednesday night by the scores of 30-19, 32-30, and 30-24.

The visiting Falcons were led by their diminutive sophomore setter Lovella Asuncion, who ran the Solano offense and riddled the Eagles’ defense with her effective jump serve.

Although it was a three-set sweep, the Eagles and the Falcons battled back and forth in a hard-fought match which could have gone either way.

“We were right in the thick of it all night and I kept waiting for us to break out take each of these games,” said Mendocino College Head Coach Ori Polkinghorne. “We are a young team and sometimes it shows, these are the kind of matches I expect us to win as the season goes on – we had a chance to take Solano tonight.”

Mendocino was powered by their sophomore middle hitter Jamie Brown (Potter Valley) who put down 10 kills and hit .429 for the match.

“They really couldn’t stop her tonight, Jamie continues to inspire us with her leadership on and off the court,” Polkinghorne said.

Other notable performances by the Mendocino crew were Freshman Jenn Cox (Upper Lake) who recorded seven kills, three digs and two aces.

Freshman defensive specialist Marcie Brendlen (Anderson Valley) had seven digs and one ace.

Sophomore libero Sarah Luetke (Yreka) anchored the Eagle defense with 12 digs.

Mendocino plays another home match this Friday at 6:30 p.m. against Contra Costa.

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UKIAH – The Mendocino College football team will look to win their fourth game in a row when they visit Monterey Peninsula College (3-1) this Saturday at 6 p.m.

Both teams are having similar seasons, as both dropped their first game of the season and have won three consecutive games. Monterey comes into the game ranked 19th in the recent Northern California poll, while Mendocino is ranked 17th.

In the defensive secondary, sophomores Greg Tompkins (Arcadia, Fla.) and Mike Casper (Sacramento) have been solid. Up front, the defense has been anchored by Jermaine Jacobs (Sacramento), Gary Miller (Ukiah) and Markins Anilus (Miami, Fla).

Offensively, Freshman Jacob Laudenslayer (Modesto) has made plays with both his arm and feet as he has played both quarterback and receiver. Sophomore quarterback Cody Manguso (Sparks, Nev.) has been very consistent, while freshman running back Kevin Young (Santa Rosa) has had several 100 yard games.

Up front for the Eagle offense, Sophomores Nick Fross (Ukiah), Arlen Robers (Vallejo), Mike Padilla (Santa Rosa), Drew Blundell (Potter Valley) and Steve Oropeza (Point Arena) have paved the way through the air and on the ground.

“We are very pleased and although we are on a three game win streak, we are still looking to improve,“ said Mendocino Head Coach Tom Gang.

Mendocino will begin Bay Valley Conference play at Contra Costa College on Oct. 13.

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