Newsletter: Essential California: How a 2012 terror plot was foiled

Good morning. It is Saturday, Dec. 19. Here’s what you don’t want to miss this weekend:

TOP STORIES

Foiled plans: When federal agents arrested a group of would-be terrorists from the Inland Empire in 2012, they unwittingly stopped an attack much closer to home. The arrests were enough to stop the plans of Syed Rizwan Farook and his neighbor Enrique Marquez, who wanted to attack Riverside City College and the 91 Freeway. “The two groups of plotters did not know one another. But all were young men from a sprawling, unglamorous region east of Los Angeles who frequented local shooting ranges, soaked up jihadist literature and were plotting to kill Americans.” Los Angeles Times

Confronting bias: What does columnist Sandy Banks make of the news that the LAPD found all 1,356 of its complaints of biased policing to be unfounded? “Most of us carry some version of stereotypes in our heads. We have to be willing to recognize and not react to that — to treat each other as individuals not caricatures. Especially when you’re wearing a badge and carrying a gun,” she writes. Los Angeles Times

Guilty plea: Former Santa Ana City Councilman Carlos Bustamante pleaded guilty Friday to felony counts of attempted sexual battery by restraint, stalking and grand theft, as well as misdemeanor counts that included false imprisonment and assault. According to police, Bustamante assaulted five subordinates at the Orange County Public Works Department. The grand theft charge was related to a trip to the Harvard's Kennedy School of Government that was paid for with public funds. Los Angeles Times

Life on the street: Photographer Martin Schoeller captures the faces of homeless men and women living in Los Angeles. His brief interviews with them all seem to carry the themes of domestic violence, drug abuse and a lack of love. Los Angeles Magazine

Mistaken identity: A woman in her 30s purposefully ran over a 19-year-old woman in Riverside believing she was having an extramarital affair with the woman’s husband. She was not. The driver’s son says his mother is suffering from a mental illness. “I want to say sorry to the girl's family. They don't know who we are. I don't know who they are,” he said. KTLA

THIS WEEK'S MOST POPULAR STORIES IN ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA

1. After Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, killed 14 people inside the Inland Regional Center, they escaped in a rented SUV. Shortly thereafter, a car chase and shootout unfolded on live television. Now, read the inside story from the officers who were on the trail of the killers. Los Angeles Times

2. L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl had harsh words for a public speaker who accused her of being anti-Semitic. LA Observed

3. In Hollywood, there are just 11 Holocaust survivors. Those men and women taped interviews about their experiences so that the memories and lessons would live on once they’re gone. Hollywood Reporter

4. El Niño is on its way. This comprehensive video will tell you all you need to know about the storms that are headed to California. Vox

5. Former state Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer and his wife welcomed twin boys earlier this month. They are the second and third children for the 74-year-old politician. SFGate

ICYMI, HERE IS THIS WEEK'S GREAT READ

Working through pain: Lydia Emily is an artist who is racing against time to paint and spread awareness before her abilities are overtaken by multiple sclerosis. She’s responsible for painting “Feel the Bern” murals of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders all over Los Angeles. “I have a personal stake in his campaign. If the Democrats don't win this, I die — because I could lose my healthcare,” Emily said. Los Angeles Times

LOOKING AHEAD

Monday: The Robolights Christmas lights created by artist Kenny Irwin Jr. will be on display in Palm Springs; the Living Desert’s Wildlights holiday display will be lit; the 23rd annual Festival of Lights will continue in downtown Riverside; Misty Copeland Square will be unveiled in San Pedro.

Wednesday: The Orange County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting on a proposed labor agreement with Orange County Employees Assn.

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.