The Jersey City Independent "

- Former state assemblyman and five-time mayoral candidate Lou Manzo and his brother and political advisor, Ron, pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges yesterday. John Lynch, the attorney for Lou Manzo, said he was not impressed after viewing videos made by the FBI involving the meetings with informant Solomon Dwek. Prosecutor and lawyers will now meet to go over the evidence, and the case will likely go to trial in the spring.

- Without a contract for over two years, nursing home workers in Hudson County are holding a “Family Day” march in Jersey City tomorrow to put pressure on their employer, Omni Assets Management.

- New Ward B councilman David Donnelly talks to Politicker about taking the job and what he hopes to focus on going forward.

- Jersey City seniors and advocates react to yesterday’s news that the automatic cost-of-living increase for Social Security recipients will not happen next year.

- The City Council has approved a $92,500 professional-service contract with Princeton-based Holt, Morgan, Russell Architects to prepare a historic structure report as part of a master plan for renovations at The Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre.

- Newport Centre Mall has suspended its seasonal flu clinics, but several other clinics in Jersey City and surrounding municipalities will still be happening. Meanwhile, hospitals, health departments and doctors’ offices across the state are working to distribute the 55,000 swine flu shots they received this week.

- A survey conducted by the NJCU student newspaper finds that campus workers seem satisfied and are not reporting any wage violations taking place on campus.

- Heavy rains this summer coupled with crumbling infrastructure led to flooding in three buildings at NJCU.

- A Hudson County Sheriff’s Office detective has been suspended following his arrest in New York on charges that include drunk driving.

- Metro Honda of Jersey City is sponsoring a relief event to help Filipinos affected by Typhoon Ondoy this Saturday.

- The Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, which grants the wishes of children who have life-threatening health problems, will hold its annual Walk for Wishes event Sunday at Liberty State Park.

- Dozens of residents at the Clermont Cove high-rise in Paulus Hook were evacuated from their apartments last night due to high carbon monoxide levels.

- Jersey City-born chef Anthony Amoroso will appear on the Food Network show Iron Chef America this Sunday.

In statewide news:

- New Jersey Future sent a questionnaire on smart growth to Gov. Corzine, Republican challenger Chris Christie and independent candidate Chris Daggett, and in their responses, finds “many similarities — along with some nuanced differences — in their approaches to promoting smart growth.”

- In other gov race news: The Record takes a look at the role that health care is playing in the race; a New York Times poll finds that New Jerseyans have “little faith” in any of the three candidates; more details have emerged on the upcoming appearances of big-name Dems coming to town to campaign for Gov. Corzine; and the three candidates have released their latest tax returns.

- The Star-Ledger and the Jersey Journal aren’t the only daily papers in New Jersey that are ailing. The New York Observer reports that Gannett’s six New Jersey newspapers have cut 460 jobs in the past two years.

- New Jersey has hit a milestone for solar power, reaching 100 megawatts of solar capacity with 4,340 projects installed. The state has the second-most solar installations in the nation, behind California.

- A piano-playing cat from New Jersey who became an internet sensation will be honored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at its annual awards luncheon. This cat is pretty good and all, but in terms of web-famous felines, we still prefer ourselves a little Keyboard Cat.

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