The Jersey City Independent "

- Judge Denies Motion to Toss Corruption Case: A federal judge has declined to throw out charges against former Jersey City housing inspector John Guarini, who is charged with five extortion-related counts in connection with last summer’s federal corruption probe.

- $7.2 M Award in PATH Lawsuit: A Hudson County jury has awarded $7.2 million to a doctor who sued the Port Authority after she fell and broke her elbow on a ramp at the Pavonia/Newport PATH station.

- HCCC Commencement: Rev. Jesse Jackson gave the keynote address at Hudson County Community College’s 32nd annual commencement ceremonies, held last night in Newark. He told students to shoot for their dreams and criticized the recently enacted Arizona immigration law, a sweeping and controversial measure authorizing police officers to stop suspected illegal immigrants. “Your future is in Arizona to deal with,” Jackson said.

- JC’s Santacruzan Turns 32: The Catholic Action of Mary will hold the annual 32nd Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo in Jersey City this weekend. Asian Journal has a quick preview.

- Man Sentenced in 2007 Killing: Zia Berisha, the man convicted in the 2007 robbery and murder of Michael Marro in Downtown Jersey City, has been sentenced to 30 years with no chance of parole.

- Memorial Day Ceremonies Begin: Hudson County held its annual Memorial Day observance yesterday at Jersey City’s Holy Name Cemetery. Other ceremonies continue through the long weekend.

- JC Teacher Pens a Children’s Book: Eugene Chima Nwalgwe, who teaches autistic students at School 41, has written The Hen and the Chick, Right or Wrong, which was released last year.

In Statewide News:

- Offshore Drilling Plan Halted: President Barack Obama says he is nixing plans to sell offshore oil and natural gas leases along the mid-Atlantic coast in the wake of the horrific oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The drilling area was to come within 100 miles of the South Jersey coast, and Gov. Christie and several Democratic leaders are applauding the president’s decision.

- NJEA Endorses Race to the Top Grant App: The state’s largest teachers union has joined the Christie administration in supporting an application for a federal grant that could bring up to $400 million to New Jersey’s public schools.

- Backing Off on School District Mergers: The Christie administration is backing away from attempts to consolidate and regionalize many of the state’s small school districts and will instead encourage the schools to share more services.

- Hearing Set on Investigative Authorities: State Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono will convene a hearing on June 2 to discuss the future of the state’s various investigative authorities and Gov. Christie’s proposal to merge the State Commission of Investigation, the Inspector General and the Medicaid Inspector General into the Office of the Comptroller.

- Nine Indicted in Gun Trafficking Probe: Nine people have been indicted on weapons charges stemming from joint state and federal investigations into gun trafficking.

- Municipalities League Not Subject to OPRA: A state appeals court has ruled the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, which represents all of the state’s 566 municipalities in Trenton, is not subject to requests made under the Open Public Records Act.

- Rebate Filing Deadlines Extended: State Treasurer Andrew Eristoff has pushed the deadline for filing 2009 “Senior Freeze” applications for property tax reimbursements from June 1 to Aug. 2.

- Ski Resort Sold: Intrawest, the financially troubled ski resort operator, has sold its Mountain Creek resort in Sussex County to a group led by developer Eugene Mulvhill, who operated the property when it was known as Great Gorge during the ’80s.

- Banks Criticizing Credit Unions Bill: A state bill promoted by credit unions as a way of providing competition for government deposits is drawing criticism from bankers, who say it would be unfair competition.

- Princeton Scientists Nab Shaw Prize: Two Princeton University scientists and a collaborator from Johns Hopkins University will share in the $1 million international award.

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