Combined briefs package

AJC: dog fighting

PBP: OJ's house up for sale, Mexico tropical storm

MEXICO

Storm kills at least 13 people

Landslides triggered by torrential rains dumped by the remnants of Tropical Storm Fernand killed at least 13 people in Veracruz state, authorities said Monday as the storm weakened to a tropical depression and carried heavy rains inland over eastern Mexico. Nine people died in the town of Yecuatla, three in the port city of Tuxpan and one more in the town of Atzalan, Veracruz Gov. Javier Duarte said. A landslide of rock and mud swept onto four homes in the village of Roca de Ora, which is part of the town of Yecuatla, killing nine people in their sleep before dawn Monday.

ALABAMA

367 pit bulls seized in crackdown

An investigation into organized dog fighting and gambling in the Southeast resulted in 12 arrests and the seizure of 367 pit bulls in one of the nation’s largest crackdowns on the bloody exhibitions. Federal, state and local officials announced the arrests Monday. They stemmed from raids Friday in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas. More than $500,000 in cash was seized. Attorneys for some of the defendants said they plan to plead not guilty at an arraignment Wednesday.

MEXICO

Authorities arrest alleged cartel operator

Soldiers have detained an operator for the Knights Templar drug cartel based in Michoacan state, a government official said Monday. Federal security spokesman Eduardo Sanchez said Gregorio Abeja Linares faces organized crime, kidnapping and drug trafficking charges. Abeja Linares was caught with two guns and an unspecified amount of cash, Sanchez said. Elsewhere, prosecutors in the northern state of Chihuahua said five men were shot to death in the mountain town of Guadalupe y Calvo, a known drug-trafficking area.

OHIO

Couple married 65 years die 11 hours apart

Relatives of a couple who died at a nursing home 11 hours apart on the same day said their love story’s ending reflects their devotion over 65 years of marriage. Harold and Ruth Knapke died in their shared room on Aug. 11, days before their 66th anniversary, The Dayton Daily News reported. Their daughters said they believe their father willed himself to stay by his wife’s side despite failing health until they could take the next step in their journey together. He went first — his children saw it as his “final act of love” — and Ruth followed.

TEXAS

7th big cat dies at animal refuge

A tiger described as the “soul” of an animal sanctuary became the seventh big cat to die from an outbreak of a fatal virus, a spokeswoman for the refuge said Monday. Tacoma, a 13-year-old, 400-pound tiger, died Sunday night at In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center in the Dallas suburb of Wylie. Spokeswoman Lisa Williams said Tacoma was the sixth tiger killed by canine distemper. A lioness also died. More than a dozen other big cats are still suffering from the virus. Experts believe raccoons likely started the outbreak.

FLORIDA

O.J.’s home to be sold in foreclosure

The South Florida home of imprisoned former NFL star O.J. Simpson will be auctioned off in October as part of a bank foreclosure proceeding. Miami-Dade Circuit Court records show that a judge issued a final order last week for JPMorgan Chase Bank. The 4,233-square-foot home near Miami has been in foreclosure proceedings about two years. An online auction is set for Oct. 29.

CONNECTICUT

Officer kills lizard menacing chickens

A Ledyard police officer shot a monitor lizard to death Sunday afternoon after a resident called 911 to report what she believed to be an alligator attacking her chickens. The officer was forced to shoot the reptile to protect fellow patrolmen, the town’s animal control officer and the chickens, police Lt. Michael T. Finkelstein said Monday. Police believe the lizard was an illegal pet that either escaped or was abandoned. Police warned people that monitor lizards can be dangerous and urged them not to have the large lizards as pets.

TEXAS

Measles cases linked to megachurch

At least 21 cases of the measles have been linked to a North Texas megachurch where an official says they have been trying to contain the outbreak by hosting vaccination clinics. Senior pastor Terri Pearsons encouraged those who haven’t been vaccinated to do so, while also noting if they think they’ve “got this covered in your household by faith” not to do it. The outbreak started when a person who contracted the measles overseas visited Eagle Mountain International Church in Newark, located about 20 miles north of Fort Worth, Texas.