Essential California: Helping a lost veteran

Good morning. It is Monday, Dec. 28. Actor Harrison Ford is ending the year on a high note: For his work in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” he made 76 times more than the fresh new faces in the franchise. Here’s what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Unraveling a mystery

How did two Russian sisters fall into the orbit of San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook? One married his brother while the other wed his friend, who now faces weapons and terrorism charges. “Since the sisters’ parents lived in Israel, the prospect of living and working together gave the sisters a support system that life in Russia didn’t offer.” There is no indication from authorities that either Mariya and Tatiana Chernykh knew what was planned for Dec. 2. Los Angeles Times

Looking for help

Donald Reynolds is a man who reminds Good Samaritans of their fathers and grandfathers. That’s what compelled them to help the homeless veteran who seemed confused by the world around him. But figuring out which agencies could assist Reynolds, especially once he wandered off from skid row, shows the difficulty in navigating a system set up to help. Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Building storage: The drought has brought the issue of water storage to the forefront. But what’s the best way to do that? In Northern California, water officials are once again considering a reservoir in the small settlement of Sites. “Central Valley growers especially are pushing dam projects as their salvation, despite multibillion-dollar price tags and studies that show the new reservoirs would do little to boost the state’s overall water supplies.” Los Angeles Times

Saving water: At Ball Junior High School in Anaheim, two students are studying whether disposable diapers could help retain moisture in soil. The 13-year-old girls received a $454 grant from the Anaheim Union High School District Student Service Foundation to test out their theory. Orange County Register

L.A. AT LARGE

Public transit: The city of West Hollywood wants in on Metro’s expansion plans. The City Council voted to spend $200,000 on lobbyists to advocate for including WeHo in plans to expand the agency’s subway and light-rail lines. Council members are also considering an increase to the city’s sales tax as part of a complicated strategy to get Metro officials to the negotiating table. LAist

Injury report: The Clippers’ Blake Griffin will be out for at least two weeks with a partially torn left quadriceps tendon. He was injured during Friday’s game against the Lakers. Los Angeles Times

Major milestone: When the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin pulled into the Port of Los Angeles on Saturday, it became the largest container ship ever to dock at a North American port. It is longer than the Empire State building and wider than a football field. “This ship represents a type of efficiency that will ensure that this port complex remains globally competitive,” said L.A. City Councilman Joe Buscaino. Daily News

Through the fire: Dutch tourists on their way to Santa Barbara were able to capture dramatic footage of the Solimar fire, which burned more than 1,200 acres. “I was terrified and in total shock. In the end, it only took a few seconds, but it felt like an hour,” said Maaike Maks. Los Angeles Times

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Merry little Christmas: Gov. Jerry Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown hosted about 30 friends at the newly renovated Governor’s Mansion on Christmas. This video offers a peek inside. Sacramento Bee

Campaign war chest: Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to close out the year with $8 million in the bank for his gubernatorial campaign, which is still three years away. “What we do in the next few days could determine whether or not we win the race for governor of California,” Newsom told supporters in his latest fundraising pitch. SFGate

Expense report: The head of the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services made technology upgrades a priority for his employees this year, and now new spending records show just what that priority cost. “Officials said that employees were not required to choose the most cost-effective products to meet their ergonomic needs. And if workers say they need an item to prevent injuries, department policy dictates that they probably will get it, even if the same product has been provided to the same worker before.” Los Angeles Times

CRIME AND COURTS

Retiring judge: At 92 years old, Judge Harry Pregerson is stepping down from the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Pregerson is known for often infuriating critics by his decision to follow his conscience over the law, particularly when it came to the death penalty and immigration. A Marine who fought in World War II, he’s also devoted his life to trying to end veterans’ homelessness. “You are only here for a short time, and you got to do the best you can and figure it is going to go on forever,” he said. Los Angeles Times

Falling death: A 33-year-old Indiana man who was reportedly paying attention to an electronic device instead of where he was walking died on Christmas Day when he fell off San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs. Authorities are not sure if Joshua M. Burwell was looking at a cellphone or camera. Three people tried to administer CPR but the man died at the scene. NBC San Diego

Making bail: A class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of San Francisco residents argues the country’s bail system unconstitutionally treats the poor and the rich differently. A victory in California could pave the way for changing the bail system nationwide. “The country watches what happens in California,” said Phil Telfeyan with the Equal Justice Under Law group. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Troubled past: A former rabbi accused of sexually exploiting a minor is now leading a spiritual center in Pacific Grove. Despite the accusations against Marc Gafni, which also include multiple affairs with followers, his work and the Center for Integral Wisdom have been embraced by new media pioneer Arianna Huffington and a co-founder of Whole Foods. For his part, Gafni says he’s been the victim of “pseudofeminist witch hunts.” “I did not represent myself as someone who didn’t sleep with students,” he said. New York Times

Across America: A New York man went rogue with his Citi Bike and spent more than four months cycling from New York to Blythe, Calif. Jeffrey Tanenhaus hopes to make it to Santa Monica and then somehow return the bicycle to its rightful owner. New York Magazine

Box office report: Not much surprise here — “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” led the weekend box office, beating out “Joy” and “Daddy’s Home.” The film is the fastest to gross $1 billion globally. Los Angeles Times

New music: Jackson Phillips is an Oakland native creating a new musical sound. Vice

That’s so touristy: Here are all of the things you should not do in San Francisco. SFGate

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Francisco will be sunny and cool at 51 degrees. Riverside will be mostly cloudy with a high of 56. In Los Angeles, there will be cool weather and clouds. Highs are expected to reach 59 degrees. San Diego will likely have afternoon showers and a high of 60 degrees.

AND FINALLY

This week’s birthdays for notable Californians:

USC’s Annenberg School of Journalism director Willow Bay (Dec. 28, 1963), actor Jon Voight (Dec. 29, 1938), Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO Brad Grey (Dec. 29, 1957), Dodger legend Sandy Koufax (Dec. 30, 1935), Nobel Prize winner Randy Schekman (Dec. 30, 1948), golfer Tiger Woods (Dec. 30, 1975), and Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton (Jan. 1, 1960).

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.