The Jersey City Independent "

- A Costa Rican woman who is wanted for murder in that country, but was arrested in the U.S. last year, has filed a federal lawsuit over negligent health services at the Hudson County jail, where she remains as she awaits extradition to stand trial. The woman alleges she didn’t have access to a doctor or undergo medical tests for a whopping 10 months of her detention, despite repeated complaints to medical staff that she felt a lump in her breast. By the time an immigration judge ordered her brought to a doctor, she says she was diagnosed with an advanced case of breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy.

- Despite continued protest from city worker unions, the 12 unpaid furlough days that were ordered by the Healy administration are set to begin Dec. 24. The furloughs will run through June 2010 and apply to all city employees except fire and police personnel. The move is predicted to save about $2 million; officials have said the city is facing a budget deficit anywhere between $40 million and $70 million. The Journal has a list of the dates.

- Home prices in Hudson County took a huge tumble from the first half of 2008 to the first half of 2009. The median home sales price dropped 13.51 percent; the sharpest drop of all counties in the state. The Ledger has more on how the state’s urban areas have been hardest hit by the collapse of the real estate bubble.

- Long-awaited legislation to change several parking regulations hit yet another bump in the road recently as it was withdrawn from consideration at the last City Council meeting. The bill, which is sponsored by Ward E councilman Steven Fulop, should be on the agenda when the council meets next week. Among other things, the legislation would forbid Parking Authority officers from booting automobiles on the first offense.

- The Insider notes that some Hudson County freeholders are crying foul over the cost of a piece of public art set to be installed at the new Hudson County Plaza complex.

- In another column, the Insider wonders: Who will the Hudson County Democratic Organization support as the machinations begin for 2013′s mayoral race? Healy? Brennan? Schundler? Fulop?

- Teachers at Liberty Academy Charter School returned to their classrooms on Friday despite a disagreement over health care costs that led to a pseudo-walkout on Thursday.

- A basement fire in a building at Bartholdi and Ocean Avenues on Saturday night left seven residents homeless and killed a dog.

- Take a closer look at the Mercury Lofts at the Beacon, and Metrovest’s decision to opt for massive lofts instead of more traditional condo units, courtesy of the Times.

- A new media resource center with 24 computer stations, smart board technology and a study lounge will be dedicated today at St. Dominic Academy in Jersey City.

In statewide news:

- The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to consider a same-sex marriage bill today. Lawmakers expect the bill to pass committee, which would send the legislation to the full Senate for a vote as early as Thursday.

- Also at the Statehouse today will be a rally supporting a six-bill criminal justice reform package that aims to improve rehab efforts, cut recidivism and save money as well.

- New Jersey taxpayers are being saddled with a bill of about $657,000 a month — or about $22,000 a day — from Bank of Montreal for an interest-rate swap approved by state officials and linked to bonds that were never sold.

- State and local government workers in New Jersey are paid more on average than those in New York City.

- North Jersey’s luxury retailers say that this year’s holiday spending, while down from the boom years of 2005 to 2007, is up noticeably from this time last year.

- A drop in the price of milk products is hurting New Jersey’s dairy farmers.

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