The Jersey City Independent"

- Florida officials have confirmed that newly sworn in Ward C councilwoman Nidia Rivera Lopez improperly claimed a state homestead rebate check in 2009 and are asking her to pay back the $1,705.20 she saved by doing so — with 15 percent interest. They are investigating whether she’s done so in other years. Folks in the Sunshine State also confirm Lopez is registered to vote in Florida, last having cast a ballot in 2003; New Jersey officials confirm she is registered to vote here as well. Meanwhile, Mayor Healy says that Jimmy King’s suit that brought all this out is “sour grapes” and has “no chance of success,” and Lopez’s husband Ben says the Florida home is a “summer house.”

- Federal labor officials say one of every five construction jobs in Hudson, Bergen and Passaic counties has disappeared over the past year, as building activity plummeted as a result of the housing bust.

- The decision by Macy’s to move its fireworks display from the East River to the Hudson River for the first time since 2000 has set off a frenzy of party planning, entrepreneurial fervor and fears of vehicular and pedestrian gridlock in Jersey City and other waterfront municipalities.

- Speaking of July 4, tickets sold out fast for that day’s reopening of the Statue of Liberty’s crown. It’s been closed since shortly after 9/11.

- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded more than $10 million to New Jersey to restore 30 acres of wetlands in Lincoln Park.

- Police have charged a Jersey City Heights man with allegedly running a high-price call girl ring on Sherman Avenue.

- Roger Quintana beat out challenger Ada Wideman for the presidency of the AFSCME Local 2306 union, which represents welfare and other workers for the government of Hudson County at an election held on Saturday.

- The Church of New Beginnings is sponsoring a free series of religious film screenings at outdoor locations around Jersey City. Check out our calendar for full details.

Today’s Best Bets:

- The Hudson Shakespeare Company and Friends of Van Vorst Park present a free outdoor performance of The Winter’s Tale in Van Vorst Park at 7 pm. Rain date is tomorrow night — same place, same time.

In statewide news:

- The driver that hit and killed cyclist Camille Savoy in Alpine last November has been cleared of careless driving charges, proving that, as Jen Benepe puts it, “there are two courts of justice in the United States: one for regular people, and one for cyclists.”

- The Corzine campaign told supporters yesterday that President Barack Obama will come stump for the governor on July 16 at Rutgers-New Brunswick. You can get free tickets here.

- The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has approved a $190 million investment for PSE&G’s energy efficiency programs. The program is expected to create 688 new jobs at the energy company.

- Continental Airlines Inc. has asked as many as 700 flight attendants to accept leaves beginning Sept. 1 as it cuts capacity.