PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY at Snake Island Memorial (Ukrainian Defense ministry photo).

The 500th day of the Russian-Ukrainian war was marked Saturday by a video seeking to demonstrate the fortitude of the those troops defending their county from invasion.

Snake Island, site of the video, was significant because it was an example of Ukrainian territory taken back from Russians.

According to the Associated Press, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “I want to thank – from here, from this place of victory – each of our soldiers for theses 500 days. Thank you to everyone who fights for Ukraine.”

The war started on Feb. 24, 2022 when Russian troops surged southward toward the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. What was expected to be a short victorious advance turned into a disaster for the invaders, who were bloodily repulsed.

Six shot at Texas house party

A large house party Friday night in El Paso, Texas was the scene of a shooting in which six teenagers were wounded.

According to United Press International, the incident took place at a gathering of over 100 teenagers. The arrival of uninvited guests may have prompted the violence.

The wounds suffered are not believed to be life-threating.

Six dead in small plane crash

A small plane crashed into a field in Murrieta early Saturday morning, killing six people.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Cessna C550 business jet went down around 4:15 a.m. while the pilot was trying to land at the fog-shrouded French Valley Airport.

The crashed plane burst into flames which took over an hour to extinguish.

Sports: Dodgers romp past Angels again

The Los Angeles Dodgers finished the first half of the 2023 season on a high note on Saturday, while the Los Angeles Angels finished on a very low note.

The Blue Crew defeated the Halos 10-5, sweeping the two-game series at Chavez Ravine for their fourth straight win. They’re 50-38 and one game back of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

For the Angels, it was their fifth straight defeat and eighth loss in nine games. They’re 45-46 and in fourth place in the American League West. 

All told, the Dodgers got three home runs, one each by Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman. Trailing 8-0 at one point, the Angels rallied for two runs in the sixth and seventh innings to close the gap somewhat. Two of those were on a two-run home run by Shohei Ohtani, his 32nd of the season.

Weather: Going up …

Temperatures are starting to rise in our West Orange County area. The forecast for Sunday is for a daytime high of 78 and an overnight low of 60 under partly cloudy skies. Monday should warm up to 80 (61) with partly cloudy skies and Tuesday sees the thermometer rise to 85 (63) with … you guessed it .. partly cloudy skies. Sunshine should return on Wednesday with a high of 85 (62).