Newsletter: Essential California: Violent clash at neo-Nazi rally

Good morning. It is Monday, June 27. Yummy, yummy -- these are the best milkshakes in Los Angeles. Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Violent clash

At least seven people were stabbed Sunday in clashes between white nationalists and counter-protesters in Sacramento. It was unclear which group the victims were from. The Traditionalist Worker Party hosted the march “to protest against globalization and in defense of the right to free expression.” “It was quite a bit of a melee,” said a spokesman with the Sacramento Fire Department. Los Angeles Times

Destructive fire

Dry grass and 60-mph winds drove the massive fire in Kern County. By Saturday afternoon, the fire had killed at least two people and destroyed 35,000 acres. “It’s the wind. It’s the proximity of houses. It’s the rapid rate of spread.… We just can’t keep up,” said Joe Appleton, a battalion chief with the Kern County Fire Department. Los Angeles Times

Wrongfully convicted

At his 2010 sentencing, Raymond Lee Jennings told the court, “I’m at peace in my life and I laugh and I smile because I hold no remorse.” He always maintained that he did not kill college student Michelle O’Keefe and now, prosecutors agree with him. How did the case against him unravel? Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Nothing like it: Photojournalist Casey Christie has captured wildfires for more than 30 years, but he’s never witnessed anything as powerful as the Erskine Fire. “Let us reach out to these who will desperately need our help by doing what we can for these friends and neighbors who may have lost a loved one or the home they lived in,” he writes. Bakersfield Californian

L.A. AT LARGE

Art and science: Caltech’s glassblower Rick Gerhart, who brings to life the lab-equipment sketches of the university’s scientists, is retiring. “There just aren’t as many scientific glassblowers anymore, and certainly not ones that have Rick’s level of experience. Even a fraction of that experience, I think, just isn’t out there,” said Sarah Reisman. Los Angeles Times

Light ’em up: A bill that would allow giant digital billboards near a downtown building is back. Opponents say the measure would create visual blight and traffic hazards near the $1-billion Metropolis high-rise project. Los Angeles Times

Car culture: How did East L.A.’s culture get transported to Brazil? “Residents of Latin America’s largest city have created a Brazilian version of Eastside car culture, capturing the music, the clothing and, most of all, those gleaming cars.” Los Angeles Times

School repairs: Marshall High School in Los Feliz will get an $11-million renovation. Work began four years ago when brick and concrete fell off the tower. Now, the school building will get seismic upgrades and a new roof. “The beautiful structure is symbolic of the legacy that Marshall has maintained throughout the years and is very dear to our community,” said Principal Patricia Heideman. Eastsider LA

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

No experience needed: When Maywood needed a new city manager, Councilman Ramon Medina turned to a customer at his auto repair shop. Reuben Martinez, who spent 30 years at Boeing, was hired despite a total lack of governmental experience. “There’s a lot of poor judgment going on in one square mile,” said Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor and president of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission. Los Angeles Times

Future in politics: Will Tom Steyer break the streak of wealthy Californians who try but fail to win elected office? In 2014, he poured $74 million into the campaigns of Democrats. “He won’t pin a figure on his spending this year, but he expects to spend a lot, in part because of the presence of Donald Trump, whom Steyer considers ‘the antithesis … of the values that we hold dear.’” Los Angeles Times

Out of sight, out of mind: Why don’t more people in the San Joaquin Valley vote? “Fundamental problems of lower education levels, declining job opportunities and economic divide festers as the gap between the haves and the have-nots continues to grow.” Fresno Bee

CRIME AND COURTS

Where did they go?: 944. That’s how many police-issued guns have gone missing in California since 2010. “Their guns have been stolen from behind car seats and glove boxes, swiped from gym bags, dresser drawers and under beds. They have been left on tailgates, car roofs and even atop a toilet paper dispenser in a car dealership’s bathroom.” Mercury News

Crash victim: Donna Zurfluh walked 125 miles a week -- a task that required her to get up at 1:30 a.m. On June 18, Zurfluh, who walked in a reflective vest and carried a flashlight, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver. Police continue to look for the driver. “If he doesn’t come forward, he can go straight to hell – I don’t care. You left my wife laying in a ditch. She’s the love of my life, my only love of my life,” said Ron Zurfluh. Sacramento Bee

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Dangerous waters: A couple had to be rescued at the Wedge Saturday when a 20-foot wave crashed on top of them and their personal watercraft. The watercraft got stuck on the jetty while lifeguards went in after the couple. “Apparently, they were just kind of lost or something. He just drove straight in,” said Newport Beach Marine Safety Capt. Skeeter Leeper. Orange County Register

Hot dog empire: Cindy Galardi Culpepper was once a silent partner, but now she’s at the center of the world’s largest hot dog chain, Wienerschnitzel. “This is my passion now. I think about it when I go to bed, about how we can make it better,” she said. Orange County Register

Home repairs: Volunteers came together in Hollywood to fix up the home of actress Lila Waters (the star of “Paper Moon.”) It’s all part of a program to help take care of the industry’s aging members. Daily News

Evolution of AIDS: When it opened, Project Open Hand was dedicated to feeding young men dying of AIDS. Today it’s still making meals, but the patients are older – and they’re going to live. “Our guys are complex now,” said Mark Ryle, chief executive of Project Open Hand. San Francisco Chronicle

Art scene: Here are four L.A.-based artists you need to know. New York Times

Bear attack: A camper in the Angeles National Forest needed 18 stitches after he was scratched by a bear. The Millard Campground will be closed for a few days while authorities search for the bear. The encounter happened as the bear attempted to enter the man’s tent. LAist

Music repairs: Magdi Hanna is one of the last jukebox repair men around. “That’s American history. Jukebox,” he says. BBC

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Diego will have some sun and a high of 80 degrees. Riverside will be sunny and hot at 105 degrees. Los Angeles is expected to have a high of 90 degrees. Sacramento will be sunny and hot at 102 degrees. San Francisco will be sunny and 73.

AND FINALLY

This week’s birthdays for notable Californians:

Rep. Mike Honda (June 27, 1941), Elon Musk (June 28, 1971), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (July 2, 1960), attorney Gloria Allred (July 3, 1941) and former L.A. Mayor James Hahn (July 3, 1950).

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Alice Walton or Shelby Grad.