The Jersey City Independent "

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- As we noted yesterday, a redevelopment pay-to-play ordinance was unanimously introduced by the City Council yesterday. It will be up for a final vote at the council’s next meeting on Sept. 9 (the Aug. 26 meeting is cancelled), unless the four-person committee tapped to look at the legislation decides to revise it substantially. If that occurs, it will have to be re-introduced as a first read ordinance. The council also unanimously voted to freeze cost of living increases for high-ranking city officials for the time being.

- Council president Mariano Vega*, who was not at yesterday’s meeting or Monday’s council caucus, says he missed the meeting because he had to meet with his attorney to discuss the federal corruption case against him. He also tells the Journal that he will continue to fight the charges.

- Meanwhile, two Jersey City officials caught up in the corruption probe have officially resigned their unpaid positions on two boards. Edward Cheatam is no longer a Housing Authority commissioner, and Maher Khalil has left the Jersey City Development Corporation’s board of trustees.

- The Hudson County freeholders are expected to call for the seizure by eminent domain of a building at 567 Pavonia Ave.; which is, by chance, the freeholders’ building. The freeholders have been trying to purchase the building from local developer Joe Panepinto, but talks have seemingly stalled out. By seizing the building, county officials hope to encourage “realistic” sale talks and have a deal completed by Oct. 1.

- The Journal takes a look at the story of one woman, Adrienne Howe, who was helped along by the community organization WomenRising, Inc.

- Jersey City dancer Carol Lugo was eliminated from the NBC show America’s Got Talent last night after reaching the quarterfinals.

- A little hotel inside baseball for you: Deanna McCoy from Starwood Hotels and Resort’s Global Sales Office has joined The Westin Jersey City Newport as its new sales manager.

In statewide news:

- At a hearing today, the Innocence Project will argue that DNA evidence — bed sheets and physical specimens — that might clear Stephen Brooks of a 1985 sexual assault for which he was convicted actually does exist, notwithstanding court decisions the next year to the contrary.

- Did a developer with close ties to Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie get special treatment from Christie’s U.S. Attorney’s office when the developer pleaded guilty to tax evasion? A former business partner and the Corzine campaign think so.

- More potential Bush-era problems emerge for Christie: Newly released documents show that as early as 2005, when the Bush Administration began ranking federal prosecutors by their allegiance to the president as well as their job skills, Christie was considered one of most loyal.

- New Jersey is set to receive $6.7 million in federal stimulus funding for highway, mass transit and energy efficiency projects.

- Trade through New Jersey ports plummeted in the first six months of the year, with imports and exports falling by 30 percent as the global economy deteriorated. But port officials say they are positioned for long-term growth.

- A state appeals court has ruled that lawyers should be present when juveniles are read Miranda rights for their alleged crimes involving other family members.

- The soap opera Guiding Light has shot its final scenes in New Jersey. The long-running daytime show has been canceled by CBS; the last episode is slated to air Sept. 18.