UKRAINE’S FLAG (Shutterstock).

For most of the war with Russia, Ukrainian forces have fought a stubborn and successful defense. Now, it appears that a spring counteroffensive to roll back the invader could be in the offing.

According to the Associated Press, observers have spotted Ukrainian forces on the eastern bank of the Dneiper River, putting them in a strong position to thrust into Crimea, a province taken by Russia in 2014.

Ukrainian forces are now receiving sophisticated and powerful weapons from the United States and other Western nations which have been instrumental in blunting the Russian invasion which started over a year ago.

NBC Chief quits over relationship

Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal announced on Sunday that Jeff Shell, CEO of NBCUniveral, was resigning after a complaint about “inappropriate conduct.”

According to USA Today, Shell issued a statement in which he admitted to “an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company, which I deeply regret.”

He’s been in that position since January 2020.

Also in the news … Bed, Bath and Beyond, a major retailer of home linens and other goods has filed for bankruptcy and has announced it would “wind down” its business…

Halos rally, take series; Dodgers in 1st

Turnabout, they say, is fair play. The Los Angeles Angels, who were beaten Saturday by a late rally by the Kansas City Royals, staged their own big comeback on Sunday and won 4-3, thereby winning the three-game series in Anaheim.

The Halos, now 11-11 and in third place in the American League West, were powered by back-to-back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning by Taylor Ward, Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs 7-3 in the Windy City, thanks to home runs by Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and J.D. Martinez.

Clayton Kershaw (4-1) got the win. He pitched six innings, giving up three hits and one earned run. He struck out six and walked one. The Blue Crew is now 12-11 and tied for first in the National League West with the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

In NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, the Los Angeles Kings are tied 3-3 with the Edmonton Oilers after the second period. The Kings lead the series two games to one after a 3-2 victory on Friday.

 Weather: A week of partly cloudy

The forecast for the West Orange County area is for partly cloudy skies all week long.  Monday will have a daytime high of 71 with an overnight low of 58. The temps creep up each day with Tuesday at 72 and Wednesday at 79.  The peak will come on Saturday with a high of 82 and a low of 60.