NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino College Men’s Soccer team is off to a strong start, after just two years of offering the program the team can say they’ve sustained their winning record.

Thirteen sophomores played their final season for the Mendocino Eagles in the fall of 2015, after being part of the inaugural men’s team, and now four of them can say they are moving on and continuing to pursue their dream.

Fabian Carlon, Felipe Chavez and Victor Hernandez will all be joining the University of St. Mary athletic program while Oswaldo Segura Diaz will continue his dream of playing soccer at Indiana Tech.

All four of these young athletes were recruited from Ukiah for the Mendocino College Men’s Soccer Team’s inaugural season.

Their commitment and dedication to the program and their academic success are just a few reasons they were all chosen to sign letters of intent at four-year universities.

“Mendocino College has helped me grow more as a person and as an athlete. My best memory of my time here was tying our game versus Napa to clinch the Conference Championship at their field,” Carlon said.

Coach Shane Huff described Fabian as a hardworking athlete who always has a smile on his face. “I’m really proud of him, he is our most improved player in these first two years, by far. He put in the hard work and made it happen.”

Chavez said playing for Mendocino College was his dream. “I finally became the athlete and person I always wanted to be. Every second of my time here was worth the experience. My favorite memory was the very first day of fitness training, I remember wondering what in the world I was doing here and that was the moment I knew I had to stay and I had to be a part of the program.”

Huff said Chavez is nicknamed “Mr. Consistent.”

“He wasn’t flashy in his play, but always consistent, he was a steadfast starter in his sophomore year from the beginning. He’s a very respectful and well-rounded young man, and a joy to have on the team,” Huff said.

Coach Huff described Hernandez as a talented goalkeeper. “He is great for team camaraderie, a wonderful young man, and has the potential do really excel as a goal keeper!”

Hernandez explained how much Mendocino College means to him. “It allowed me to play the sport I love and also gave me a chance to go to school and study what I enjoy. If it wasn’t for Mendocino College, I wouldn’t have been able to meet the people I have, and I also wouldn’t have been able to meet my teammates who I now consider my family. Mendocino College means a lot to me for all that it has done for me in my life and what it has given me. For that, I will always be thankful.”

He added, “My time playing soccer for Mendocino College gave me my best memories, and they were all the times and experiences I had with my teammates and coaches. Whether it was on road trips or at practice, we always had a laugh and enjoyed each other’s company. Those are the best experiences I had because those are the memories I will keep with me for the rest of my life, to always look back on with a smile on my face.”

“Mendocino College has done so much for me,” said Segura Diaz. “It allowed me to settle in and figure out what I wanted to do in life all while allowing me to play the game I love. The school and the community has shaped me into a better person and I am very thankful for these last two years. I am especially thankful for the coaches and my instructors along the way. My favorite thing about MC is the soccer community support, it may not be a big school, but the support is strong. I really enjoyed playing with the team and creating new friendships and memories.”

Coach Huff described Segura Diaz as, “overall, our most impactful player – just pure talent. Quick, fast, tenacious, an incredible athlete.”

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Law Library Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting on on Thursday, June 16.

The board will meet at noon at the Law Library, 175 Third St. in Lakeport.

Agenda items include the financial report ending May 30, the law librarian's report, Legal Services of Northern California, and old business, including the patrol conduct policy, an incident report form and the holiday/vacation schedule.

Board trustees include President Mike Ewing, Secretary Dennis Fordham, Judge Andrew Blum, Judge Michael Lunas, Shanda Harry and Mary Heare Amodio.

The Law Library Board's next meeting is July 21.

Visit the Law Library online at www.lakecountyca.gov/law .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – This year’s recipients of the J. Fletcher and Anne Elliott Educational Scholarship awarded last week at Kelseyville High School are seniors Noah Lyndall and Ricardo Covarrubias.

This year’s award is $10,000 to each recipient.

Lyndall and Covarrubias both have outstanding academic and athletic high school careers.

Both ranked very high in their class. And both had exemplary athletic success through their high school years with Lyndall playing four years of baseball and Covarrubias four years of soccer.

Lyndall is going to Sonoma State to major in biological sciences while Covarrubias is going to UC Davis, majoring in civil engineering.

“This scholarship will really help reduce stress on my family, and allow me to participate in daily baseball practice. It’s a huge help,” Lyndall said.

“This will allow me to focus on schoolwork where I don’t have to have a full-time job, and it will really help me adapt to the first year of college life,” said Covarrubias.

This scholarship foundation was originally established by the late Anne Elliott with the help of Rian Sommerfield at Nestegg Investment Consulting and is expected to fund future scholarships for decades to come in memory of her husband J. Fletcher.

In California, a tightening supply, combined with a strong gasoline demand, is contributing to pump prices moving higher.

But although state retail fuel prices are moving up and register as the highest in the nation, they are stabilizing.

Gas prices on the AAA Fuel Gauge Report this week shows the state pump price of unleaded regular is $2.86 per gallon, which is a modest increase of $0.06 higher than a month ago.

The least expensive fuel can be found in Marysville, where the average price for a gallon of regular is $2.57.

The highest price is in San Francisco where the average price is $3.02 a gallon, up $0.18 from last month’s AAA gas survey.

A year ago, the California average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline reached $3.54, $0.68 more expensive than today’s average.

“The state average retail price of fuel is relatively steady and have moved by three cents or less over the past week,” said Cynthia Harris, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “But continual overall decrease of fuel costs marks the fourth consecutive year of lower gas prices, spelling a prolonged period of relief for pocketbooks.”

Conditions at the ExxonMobil Torrance refinery are reportedly improving and two units previously offline are scheduled to be start this week.

The latest data from the U.S. EIA points to gasoline inventories shrinking in the region; however, gasoline production is growing which could help balance the scale and keep gas prices relatively steady over the near term.
            
The national average price of gas reached a new 2016 high over the weekend, and today’s average of $2.37 per gallon is the most expensive average since September 2015.

Although pump prices have increased for 28 of the past 33 days, consumers continue to benefit from yearly savings and prices are down 42 cents per gallon compared to a year ago.
 
After reaching new 2016 highs, crude oil prices retreated to close out the week due to news of a strengthening U.S. dollar and data showing an uptick in the number of U.S. drilling rigs in operation.

Both benchmarks opened the week by extending this trend of sliding prices, as concerns of revived production out of the U.S. and global demand concerns begin to resurface.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI closed down $1.49 and settled at $49.07 per barrel.

To get the best mileage possible, AAA recommends keeping tires at the recommended pressure suggested by the vehicle manufacturer, performing routine maintenance and making sure fluids are clean and belts and hoses are in good repair.

The way you drive can also impact fuel economy. Smooth driving to avoid sudden stops and starts, combining trips and lightening a vehicle’s load also help to conserve gasoline.

AAA Fuel Gauge Report is the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with over 100,000 self-serve stations surveyed every day, nationwide. Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express, LLC.

Demand for travel to Europe remains strong, and AAA summer travel bookings show that Rome and London are at the top of many international travelers’ itineraries this summer.

Americans are also flocking to warm-weather destinations in the U.S., Mexico and Caribbean, and increasingly traveling to Canada to take advantage of favorable exchange rates.

The top international summer destinations, based on AAA bookings for travel June 1 through Aug. 15, are:

· Rome.
· London.
· Cancun, Mexico.
· Vancouver, Canada.
· Paris.
· Dublin.
· Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
· Montego Bay, Jamaica.
· Calgary, Canada.
· Amsterdam.

“Europe remains very popular with American travelers despite recent terrorism concerns,” said Rene Schneeberger, travel agency manager, AAA Northern California. “A strong dollar, discounted pricing and a continued sense of resilience are motivating millions of Americans to venture across the pond for their summer vacations this year.”

On May 31, the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert for Europe, citing the risk of potential terror attacks.

Travel alerts are issued for short-term events that travelers should be aware of when planning to visit a country.

This differs from a travel warning in which the State Department urges travelers to consider carefully whether to visit a country or region at all.

“AAA urges travelers to exercise vigilance when traveling and be aware of their immediate surroundings. Determining when and where to travel is very personal,” continued Schneeberger. “The strong interest in Europe and even Paris shows that many Americans are undeterred by recent global events.”       

Domestically, the great American road trip is back, with nearly 56 percent of Americans planning a drive vacation this summer, according to a recent AAA survey.

AAA’s top domestic summer travel destinations include:

· Orlando.
· Seattle.
· Los Angeles/Anaheim.
· Honolulu.
· Las Vegas.
· Anchorage.
· New York.
· Maui.
· San Francisco.
· Denver.

State Department recommendations for summer travelers:

· Exercise vigilance when in public places or using mass transportation. Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid crowed places.
· Follow the instructions of local authorities, especially in an emergency.
· Monitor media and local event information sources and factor updated information your travel plans.
· Be prepared for additional security screening and unexpected disruptions.
· Stay in touch with your family, have a plan if you  are separated and ensure thy know how to reach you in the event of an emergency.
· Enroll in the State Departments Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the embassy or consulate to contact them in case of an emergency.
· Make extra copies of all travel documents, including passports, itineraries and contact information. Leave an extra set in your luggage should you lose the original copies.

Before setting out on a summer vacation, download the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.

Travelers can use the app to map a route, find the lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts, find more than 58,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, request AAA roadside assistance and more.

For in-person travel planning, seek the expert advice of a trusted travel advisor, who can provide personalized service and first-hand destination knowledge to create a memorable vacation.

For more information and to begin planning a trip, visit www.AAA.com/Travel .

FOX LAKE, IL. – The Second (Indianhead) Division Association is searching for anyone who served in the Army's 2nd Infantry Division at any time.

For information about the association and its 95th annual reunion in Springfield, Miss., from Sept. 20 to 24, contact Secretary-Treasurer Bob Haynes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 224-225-1202; or visit www.2ida.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Summer Concert Series' 2016 season kicks off this Friday, June 17.

The concerts will take place each Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m. through Aug. 19 in Library Park.

This summer's lineup is as follows:

– June 17: Boston Rocks, Aerosmith/Boston/The Cars/J Giels Band Tribute.

– June 24: Chad Bushnell, rockin' country.

– July 1: Todo Mundo, Reggae/Latin/World Beats.

– July 8: Lao Tizer, Jazz World Fusion

– July 15: Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Cajun rock and blues.

– July 22: The Fargo Brothers, blues rock.

– July 29: Bill Noteman and the Rockets, rhythm and blues.

– Aug. 5: Country singer McKenna Faith.

– Aug. 12: Decades, nostalgic rock and pop.

– Aug. 19: LC Diamonds, classic hits.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson’s (CA-5) bipartisan legislation, the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (H.R. 5477), passed the House Committee on Ways and Means today.

This legislation allows small employers to continue to offer Health Reimbursement Arrangements, or HRAs, to their employees so that they can choose a quality, affordable health insurance plan that fits their individual budget and health care needs.

Existing Treasury Department guidance under the Affordable Care Act limits the use of HRA’s for small businesses.

“HRA’s ease the administrative and financial burden of providing traditional insurance and allow small business owners to focus on what they do best – running their businesses,” said Thompson. “I thank my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee for recognizing the value of HRA’s for our small business owners and for voting in support of my legislation.”

“The Small Business Healthcare Relief Act is a common-sense, bipartisan solution ensuring our small businesses aren’t penalized for trying to do the right thing. HRAs are an affordable solution for both employees and employers to combat the escalating cost of health insurance. I urge House leadership to bring this bill to the House floor as soon as possible to grant relief to small businesses suffering under these harsh penalties,” said Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA).

On Sept. 13, 2013, The Department of Treasury issued guidance disallowing businesses from using HRA’s as a tax-free means to reimburse employees, stating these arrangements were disqualified under Affordable Care Act’s annual dollar cap.

The Small Business Healthcare Relief Act restores flexibility and choice into the marketplace by:

– Ensuring that small businesses are allowed to use pre-tax dollars to give employees a defined contribution.
– Allowing employees to use these funds as an HRA to purchase health coverage on the individual market, as well as for qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses.
– Protecting small business employers from being unnecessarily financially penalized for providing this option to employees.

The legislation is budget-neutral, meaning it won’t add a single dollar to our deficit. The bill is supported by the United States Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), the National Association for the Self-Employed, and the Coalition for Affordable Healthcare (CAHC).

The legislation is now eligible for consideration by the full House of Representatives.

Thompson is proud to represent California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.