THE KAKHOVLA Dam in Ukraine (Wikipedia).

Evidence suggests that Russia blew up the Kakhovka Dam earlier this month, flooding a wide area and rendering thousands of people without electrical power or homeless.

The Associated Press and The New York Times are reporting that drone images shot from above the dam “appear” to show an automobile carrying explosives on top of the dam, followed by a bright flash and the collapse of the structure.

Each side claimed the other was responsible for the destruction of the dam, which is located along the Dnieper River, which delineates the “front” between Ukrainian and Russian forces in southern Ukraine.

Observers suggest the dam was destroyed in an effort to forestall or at least hamper Ukraine’s long anticipated counter-offensive.

Climate change puts Nome “on the map”

MELTING ALASKA GLACIER (Shutterstock/Ash. B).

Nome, a city with 3,500 residents on the coast of Alaska, is about to become the first deep-water Arctic port.

According to the Associated Press, climate change – in the form of melting ice – is creating opportunities to use previously weather-bound cities as homes for cargo, cruise and military vessels.

A $600 million project is on the drawing boards. Nome is located along the Bering Straight that separates North America and Russian Siberia and such a facility could have strategic significance.

Mayhem in Juneteeth celebrations

AT LEAST TWO fatal shootings have taken place  over the Juneteenth weekend (Shutterstock).

Celebrations in observance of Juneteenth – when U.S. troops informed Black slaves in Texas they were free after the Union victory in the Civil War – turned tragic Sunday.

United Press International reports that at least one person was killed and 20 or more wounded in shootings in the town of Willowbrook, near Chicago. Ten of those wounded were taken to local hospitals and two are said to be in “critical condition.” There have been no arrests as of this writing.

Two people were killed at a music festival in Washington State on Saturday night, according to USA Today.  A suspect – who was wounded by police – was taken into custody.

Halos crown Royals; Dodgers are swept

Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning against former Halo pitcher Zach Greinke on Sunday to help spark the Los Angeles Angels to a 5-2 win over the Royals on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. Ohtani’s homer was his 24th – best in the American League – and Trout’s 15th.

The win lifted the Halos (41-33) into second place in the American League West and into a wild card spot. 

Tyler Anderson (4-1) pitched five innings and gave up six hits and two earned runs. He struck out six batters and walked one.

Monday is an off day as the team returns from its road trip to begin a series in Anaheim on Tuesday hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers continued their slump on Sunday, losing to the San Francisco Giants 7-3 and slipping into third place in the National League West behind the surging Giants (39-33)

Leading 3-2 after four innings, the visitors scored four runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach for the Blue Crew (39-33). Tony Gonsolin (4-2) was tagged for six hits and seven earned runs. He struck out seven but walked three as the Dodgers were swept in three games, and lost for the fifth time in seven games.

Weather: A mostly sunny Monday

The forecast for our West Orange County area for Monday is for mostly sunny skies with a daytime high of 73 and an overnight low of 58. Partly cloudy skies should return on Tuesday and Wednesday with daytime highs of 78 and 79 (lows of 58 and 59). Mostly sunny conditions are expected to return on Thursday with a high of 71 (59).