Mortgage woes taking a toll (The Record)
Home sales dropped in August for the sixth month in a row, reflecting the recent mortgage crunch, the National Association of Realtors reported Tuesday. And the NAR said it expects similar results for September.

New Jersey Recognizes 2007 Clean Energy Leaders (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.----The New Jersey State Board of Public Utilities today recognized eight New Jersey businesses and organizations for their leadership and innovations in creating clean energy solutions that save energy and help reduce greenhouse gases.

Irondequoit Starts on New Hotel (R News)
More hotel space is being built in Irondequoit. Town leaders helped break ground on a new Hampton Inn on Thursday. The four story, 77 room hotel on East Ridge Road is expected to open for business in June of 2008.

Canadian bank buys Commerce Bancorp; Morgan Stanley plans layoffs; Hershey gets new CEO (Austin American-Statesman)
MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. �Canada's second-largest bank is looking to bulk up its south-of-the-border presence by buying New Jersey-based Commerce Bancorp for $8.5 billion in cash and stock.

Forum to focus on mortgage financing, foreclosures (Asbury Park Press)
Credit counselors, mortgage bankers and state banking officials will be available to meet with homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments at a forum 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday at Central Regional High School.