The Jersey City Independent "

- Feds Appeal Manzo Decision: The U.S. Attorney’s Office will appeal the ruling by a District Judge that Lou and Ron Manzo can’t be charged under the Hobbs Act since they weren’t holding office at the time of the alleged crimes. Both Manzos had many of the corruption charges against them dropped last week. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that last week’s ruling has caused attorneys for many non-office holders who have already pleaded guilty in the corruption probe to reconsider their actions.

- Beldini Conviction Upheld: A federal judge in Newark has upheld the conviction of former Jersey City deputy mayor and Healy campaign treasurer Leona Beldini, who was found guilty in connection with last year’s corruption sting, dismissing her lawyer’s argument that the federal bribery statue does not apply to political donations. She is set to be sentenced June 14.

- Man Shot on Friday Dies: The 25-year-old Jersey City man who was shot in the head in an alleged revenge shooting died Sunday when his family took him off life support, and the charges against four suspects are being upgraded to homicide. Meanwhile, prosecutors are still searching for leads in the death of a 68-year-old Jersey City man who was found with multiple stab wounds by his son over the weekend.

- Worker at PSE&G Plant Falls into Pit: A worker who was driving a bulldozer across the top of a coal pile encountered an air pocket early yesterday morning and fell 15 feet in; he was later rescued by Jersey City firefighters.

- Stop & Shop Manager Missing in South Jersey: A 47-year-old manager at the Central Avenue Stop & Shop, who lives in North Bergen, has not yet been found, but police have found his burned-out car in Camden County, 46 miles away from where he was on Friday, Atlantic City. Family members fear that he was carjacked.

- Blog City Blog, RIP: David Cruz pens a farewell blog post, but promises to be back “in front of your faces in a much larger way” with his next project.

- JC Author Pens Bestselling Nonfiction Book: Wes Moore’s new book, The Other Wes Moore, is an examination of his life and the life of another Wes Moore, who is currently serving a life sentence without parole at the Jessup Correctional Institution in central Maryland.

Today’s Best Bets:

- Tonight is officially your very last chance to ever see Melissa Surach’s comedy/open mic/music show BabyHole; she bids farewell at the Lamp Post around 10 pm (for a quick Q&A with her about it, click here). And just down the block, Pepper Coat and Michael Kraugh play a free show at Lucky 7′s (9 pm).

In Statewide News:

- Christie Shrugs Off Protests: Gov. Christie says Saturday’s record-breaking statehouse protest had “absolutely no effect” on him, adding that he hoped the 30,000 or so people there to protest his budget priorities “had a good time, and I hope that it helped to spur Trenton’s economy.”

- Bad Budget News: New Jersey has a projected $767 million shortfall over the next 13 months, raising the potential for even deeper budget cuts, according to new figures set to be released today.

- Medical Marijuana Bill May See Delay: The Christie administration is seeking to delay the July implementation of the law legalizing the use of marijuana for severely ill patients. The six state-regulated dispensaries are supposed to open in October, but the administration suggested in a letter last week that the timetable be delayed for six to 12 months in order to work out logistics.

- Menendez Recall at Supreme Court Today: A Tea Party group that wants to recall U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez more than two years before his term is up will make its case before the state Supreme Court today. Meanwhile, the Democratic State Committee has launched a website to counter the group’s claims.

- Work on More Meadowlands Restoration Begins: A 250-acre tract of tidal wetlands in the Meadowlands that had once been the proposed site of housing units, office space and a giant mall is being restored with the hopes that it will become a prime habitat for hiking, birding and kayaking.

- Blogger Wants to Take Shield Law Case Higher: A Washington state blogger is asking the state Supreme Court to look at her shield law case before she’s forced to reveal her confidential sources.

- Grant for Clean Car Batteries: Morris Township-based Honeywell has received a $27.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to make a conductive salt for lithium-ion batteries used in electric and hybrid vehicles.

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