THE FOCUS of the Russian invasion of Ukraine has shifted to the eastern regions of the nation (Shutterstock).

Russian forces may be making some progress in their thrusts into the eastern areas of Ukraine. On Saturday, the Russian defense ministry claimed that troops had captured Lyman. If so, it would be the second small town captured by the invading forces, assisted by pro-Russian separatists.

The Ukrainian military disputed the report, according to The Associated Press, claiming that fighting there was still going on.

In nearby Luhansk, Russian forces are said to have moved into that city and are battling Ukrainian troops for control of the key railroad hub there, according to The New York Times.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed that the province of Donbas would eventually be recaptured and that his government would never cede territory in exchange for a cease-fire or peace agreement.

U.S. officials on Friday announced that multiple long range rocket systems were on their way to Ukraine.

Slow response may have cost lives

MIGHT WOUNDED pupils have been saved? (Shutterstock).

The delayed actions of law enforcement officers in seeking to rescue students and teachers attacked by a gunman in Uvalde, Texas, may have meant some of the victims died needlessly.

According to USA Today, it’s possible that some of those suffered from gunshot wounds in the classrooms might have been saved if the rooms were stormed earlier and the shooter killed.

“There may be kids who are injured, that may have been shot but injured, and it’s important for life-saving purposes to immediately get there and render aid,” said Steven McCraw, head of the Texas Department of Public Safety.”

Sports: Darvin Ham new Lakers’ coach?

Various news organizations have reported that the Los Angeles Lakers have hired Darvin Ham – now an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks – as their new head coach for the 2022-23 NBA season.

There’s been no official confirmation from the team.

In Major League Baseball play today (Saturday), the Los Angeles Angels (27-20) are hosting the Toronto Blue Jays (25-20) in Anaheim. The Jays lead 1-0 in the third.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the road, and defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 to improve their record to 32-14. The Blue Crew remains in first in the National League West, ahead of the second place San Diego Padres (29-16). Trailing 2-1, the Dodgers scored twice in the top of the seventh. Justin Turner went 4-for-4 with two doubles in the game and Mookie Betts homered, drove in a run and stole a base.

The win went to Tony Gonsolin (5-0), who worked six innings giving up four hits and two earned runs. He struck out seven batters and walked none.

We will have final results on both games later this evening.

Weather: Just a little bit longer

The forecasters have been promising warmer weather for a while and each day it seems to recede in the distance. The prediction now for the West Orange County area is for Sunday to have clouds in the morning and sun in the afternoon. The daytime high should be 72 with an overnight low of 57. Monday is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of 75 (57). The sun should finally emerge on Tuesday with a high of 78 (59).