HUGE SHARK CAUGHT BY ANGLER OFF CALIF. WASN'T PREGNANT : LONG BEACH . (AP) — Scientists who dissected the huge mako shark caught off the Southern California coast have found that the female shark had gallons of sea water and a seal or sea lion in her stomach.
NOAA research biologist Heidi Dewar says she thought the shark may have been pregnant when it was caught June 3 off Huntington Beach. Instead, they found evidence suggesting she had gave birth earlier this year.
The shark was caught June 3 after a 2 ½-hour battle off Huntington Beach. It weighed at just over 1,323 pounds.
If the catch is confirmed and meets certain conditions, it would exceed the 1,221-pound record mako catch made in 2001.
Dewar, of the National Marine Fisheries Service, said the shark was probably more than 15 years old.
AMAZON EXPANDS GROCERY DELIVERY TO LA: LOS ANGELES (AP) - Amazon.com says it has expanded its grocery delivery service to Los Angeles and may add more markets in the future.
The online retail giant has been testing Amazonfresh in Seattle for several years. It confirmed Monday that it is now offering it in Los Angeles on a trial basis as well.
Grocers have tried for years to perfect the online grocery delivery service with mixed results. While there are a number of brands in the online grocery graveyard, companies such as Peapod, Safeway and FreshDirect are still giving it a go as shoppers do seem to appreciate the ease of the service.
Amazon.com Inc. says it is excited to test out a new market in Los Angeles. The company remained vague about any future expansion plans, saying only that they know customers value the service but "the economics remain challenging."
"We will continue experimenting and innovating on behalf of our customers to find a model that works," the company said in a statement.
Amazon customers in LA can now order more than 500,000 items for same-day delivery, including products from specialty stores around the city.
The service is free for Amazon Prime members for 90 days. After that, customers must sign up for a new Prime membership program that costs $299 a year. Delivery is free for any orders over $35.
CALIF. RAISIN FARMERS WIN NEW DAY IN COURT: WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is giving California raisin producers a new day in court to object to a government program that aims to stabilize prices by regulating the market.
The justices on Monday unanimously ordered a federal appeals court in California to take a new look at claims brought by farmers in California's Central Valley about a Depression-era program intended to raise the price of raisins by keeping some of them off the market. The state produces almost all raisins in the United States.
The farmers say the program unfairly prevents them from selling their entire crop when the government determines that there otherwise would be a glut of raisins that would drive prices down. They say the program unconstitutionally takes their private property without compensation.
N. CALIF. TEEN SUSPECTED OF GROUP HOME GIRL'S RAPE: DAVIS (AP) — A teenage boy is being held in a Sacramento-area juvenile hall after allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl who had run away from an embattled group home.
The alleged assault took place May 16 at a private home in Davis not associated with the EMQ FamiliesFirst group home, where the girl had been staying.
The Sacramento Bee reports Monday that 50 young people have been reported missing from the group home since January. The 13-year-old was considered away without leave at the time of the crime.
Davis police say the 17-year-old suspect arrested Friday is not a resident of the group home. Both teens' names were withheld because they are juveniles.
The arrest is the second in a week involving sexual assaults on girls living at the home.
MAN TO BE TRIED IN KILLING OF 17-YR-OLD CALIF GIRL: RIVERSIDE (AP) — A man charged with murdering a 17-year-old Moreno Valley girl on her way back from summer school has been ordered to stand trial.
The Riverside County District Attorney's office said Monday that 37-year-old Jesse Perez Torres of Long Beach has been charged with one count of murder with a special circumstance allegation of kidnapping.
The special circumstance allegation makes Torres eligible for the death penalty.
Norma Lopez was abducted after leaving Valley View High School in July 2010. Her body was found in a remote field several days later.
Prosecutors say Torres owned an SUV which matched the description of a vehicle witnesses described seeing in the area of the abduction.
MORE THAN 100 ANIMALS RESCUED IN LA PET STORE FIRE: LOS ANGELES (AP) — More than 100 animals have been rescued from a Los Angeles pet store after a fire that heavily damaged the building.
Fire Department officials say about 25 puppies, as well as rabbits, mice and fish were pulled out of the Hollywood store Monday morning.
Some animals died inside, but no people were injured.
Authorities say the store's owner took the rescued animals to another pet store.
The fire was reported around 6 a.m. and was extinguished in 55 minutes.
A damage estimate is not available, though fire officials say the pet store was heavily damaged. The cause is still under investigation.
FIRE BURNS 2 1/3 SQUARE MILES OF CALIF. WILDERNESS: BANNING (AP) — Fire churned through the rugged San Gorgonio Wilderness in the San Bernardino Mountains on Monday as an army of firefighters sought to surround the flames.
Nearly 1,000 firefighters battled the fire, which covered 2 1/3 square miles and was 15 percent contained, officials said. No homes were threatened.
The fire broke out Sunday morning in Hathaway Canyon in the northern area of the Morongo Indian Reservation, about 85 miles east of Los Angeles.
The fire's behavior was described as extreme as flames fed on heavy chaparral and timber stricken by drought or killed by bark beetles.
Nine air tankers, eight helicopters and 42 engines were among the resources deployed to the blaze.
The National Weather Service said a low-pressure system over Central California brought gusts to the San Bernardino Mountains, and a wind advisory would be in effect until 10 p.m. Monday.
The fire's cause remained under investigation.
