The Jersey City Independent "

- Sires’ GOP Opponent: Henrietta Dwyer, who is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Albio Sires is this fall’s Congressional election, says she was sitting on her couch watching news about the health care debate earlier this year when she decided to run for office. She dubs herself as “fiscally conservative [and] socially moderate.”

- Wheelchair Athletic Club for Kids: The United States Navigators, a track and field wheelchair athletic club based in Jersey City, has been recognized as one of the best in the country. The Journal‘s Michael Cohen talks to a few of the wheelchair-bound children to find out how competitive sports has helped them.

- Discolored Water Was OK to Drink: Some Jersey City residents noticed discolored water coming from their faucets over the weekend, but the water was safe to drink and met safety standards, according to United Water.

- Sheriff’s Officer Hit with Stabbing Charges: A 58-year-old Hudson County sheriff’s officer has been suspended after being charged with stabbing a man who allegedly knocked her down during a domestic violence incident in Ocean County.

- Tyson Comes to Town: Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was in Jersey City yesterday to finish filming a new Animal Planet TV documentary series on his passion for training and racing pigeons. (One of his coops is atop the Ringside Lounge.)

- Husband Charged in NJCU Theft Case: The 51-year-old husband of the suspended office manager at New Jersey City University who was charged Friday with stealing more than $167,000 in student funds has also been charged with participating in the theft.

- Decapitated Body Still Not ID’ed: A forensic anthropologist has developed additional information on the headless and decomposed body found along the Conrail tracks off Tonnelle Avenue on August 21, but the man remains unidentified.

- Love in the Nursing Home: Married for 64 years, Donato and Rose Fortunato fell in love in the 1940s and are inseparable as they now live in the Hamilton Park nursing home.

- JC’s Dutch History in New Book (Sort of): Jersey City’s rich Dutch history will be included in a new book, Dutch New York and Beyond: A Travel Guide, which will focus on the Dutch legacy in the area. But many of our most historic spots won’t be included, since the book will focus on historic sites visitors can tour.

- Christ Hospital Gets Stroke Recognition: Christ Hospital has received notification that it is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, according to a press release. The designation signifies that the hospital has trained medical staff and nurses, equipment, and processes of care in place to complete the evaluation and diagnosis of individuals with stroke signs and symptoms within 45 minutes of arrival.

Today’s Best Bets:

- The second installment of the JC Opens Up the Mic Tour is in the Heights tonight, at the Lincoln Inn — expect plenty of spoken-word goodness, hosted by Elizabeth Rodriguez and Just Putt (7:30 pm). Meanwhile, Kenn Rowell of The Baghdaddios and Frontier Justice play a free show at Lucky 7′s (9 pm).

In Statewide News:

- Schundler Admits Error: Bret Schundler, who was fired Friday as New Jersey’s education commissioner, says he learned Monday that he personally made the budget data error that helped the state miss out on a $400 million federal grant for school reform. Meanwhile, NJ Spotlight reports that a Brooklyn consultant that was paid nearly $180,000 to assist in the bid also overlooked the error.

- Financial Aid Cuts: Low-income college students who rely on New Jersey’s popular Tuition Aid Grant program to help pay their tuition bills will see their aid checks slashed by nearly 8 percent as they return to campus for the new school year.

- The Costs of Solar: How expensive will it be to meet aggressive goals to increase New Jersey’s reliance on solar energy, a situation some argue is driving up the price of electric power in a state that already has high energy expenditures?

- Foreclosures: New Jersey’s mortgage loans that were “seriously delinquent” — meaning they are 90 days or more delinquent or in the foreclosure process — stood at 10.5 percent during the second quarter, the highest in the tri-state area, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The group says New Jersey continues to be third in the nation for homes in foreclosure, behind just Florida and Nevada.

- Businesses at Rest Stops: State Transportation Commissioner James Simpson wants the federal government to relax the prohibition on commercial enterprises at interstate highway rest stops, which he said would allow the state to reopen rest areas closed for economic reasons.

- Leftover Campaign Cash: Elected officials routinely have to close campaign accounts when they leave office, a situation former Passaic County Sheriff Jerry Speziale is now facing. The Record takes a look at the issue, and how some former officials have spent their leftover money.

- New Interim Management at NJN: Howard J. Blumenthal has announced that on September 17, he will conclude his one-year term as Interim Executive Director of NJN Public Television and Radio, and Interim President of the NJN Foundation. Janice Selinger will take over as Acting Executive Director of NJN and Acting President of the NJN Foundation.

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