New York Daily News

Ann Erickson is truly gifted. The 53-year-old Web site manager won $10,000 on Friday in a present-wrapping contest, beating out seven others by doing up a seven-foot sailboat in 18 minutes. Full Story »

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced Thursday the creation of the Bronx Public Housing Advisory Council to address the concerns of the more than 100,000 Bronx residents who live in the city Housing Authority buildings. Full Story »

A once preeminent Queens high school will close its doors. But the century-old Jamaica High School won't go down without a fight. Education officials Thursday noted the graduation rate "has stagnated below 50% for years.". Full Story »

Sen. Craig Johnson threw cold water on the MTA's "extremely ambitious" capital plan, including a project to place arrival countdown clocks at bus stops. Full Story »

A private consultant assigned to CityTime - the high-tech computerized payroll system that tracks the hours of city employees - billed taxpayers $47,250 for his services last June. Full Story »

New York drivers paid an average premium of $1,179 in 2007, the last year for which information was available, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners said in an annual report. Full Story »

After the New Jersey Nets broke the record for starting an NBA season with the most consecutive losses - 18 - some borough sports fans had a message for owner Bruce Ratner as he tries to bring the team to Brooklyn: Start winning or don't bother. Full Story »

CAVALIERE-Mary (nee Cali), of Staten Island, on Dec. 2, 2009. Beloved wife of the late George A. Loving mother of Georgeann Galli and the late Francine Cavaliere. Full Story »

A top investment banker pleaded guilty Thursday to bribing four senior officials under former Controller Alan Hevesi to get $250 million in pension fund business. Full Story »

Gov. Paterson Thursday morning said he has no plans to re-introduce a gay marriage bill next year unless its passage is assured. Full Story »

The newly lit Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is sure to lift everyone's spirits, but a bridge lift over the Harlem River will dampen drivers' spirits. Now through Thursday, Jan. 7, the tree will be illuminated with its thousands of bright lights from 5. Full Story »

BONAFILIA-Alfred J., age 78, of New Windsor, N.Y. died Sunday, November 29, 2009. Mr. Bonafila was born November 30, 1930 in the Bronx. Full Story »

In a major blow to the gay rights movement, the state Senate overwhelmingly killed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage on Wednesday. Full Story »

Large among the fabulous municipal projects that ultimately never saw the light of day was Westway, the most ambitious development in city history, a park-covered Hudson Riverfront superhighway from the Battery up to 42nd St. Full Story »

The Education Department quietly forked over $500,000 to three pet schools, even as most schools lost tens of thousands of dollars in budget cuts. Full Story »

A key official in charge of the city's problem-plagued 911 system upgrade has resigned. Paul Cosgrave, commissioner of the Department of Information, Technology and Telecommunications, will retire on Dec. 31. Full Story »

Fifth Ave. will become a sea of shoppers, tourists and most importantly, tree-watchers, as the lights on the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree finally come to life at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Full Story »

The roller coaster ride to a new Coney Island just got a little bumpier. A group of advocates is aiming to throw out the city's massive redevelopment plan with a lawsuit charging the new park will be too small and spoiled by high-rise hotels. Full Story »

A fierce storm that battered Plumb Beach last month has left a trail of destruction - and raised fears another winter squall could flood the nearby Belt Parkway. Full Story »

Seattle cop-killer Maurice Clemmons drove across the country to New York in June to see a Manhattan minister, declaring God told him to make the trip. Full Story »

A long-awaited green buffer of trees and shrubs is going up along the Grand Central Parkway in Jamaica Estates to help block out noise and pollution from the busy roadway. Full Story »

BONAFILIA-Alfred J., age 78, of New Windsor, NY died Sunday, November 29, 2009. Mr. Bonafilia was born November 30, 1930 in the Bronx. Full Story »

As part of Mayor Bloomberg's initiative to plant 1 million trees across the city, officials have planted two in front of a Bronx woman's home, despite her repeated pleas not to. Irene McKenzie, 76 and her husband, Leonard, 90, told city officials they ar. Full Story »

When it comes to political campaigns, big bucks don't always mean a big win. Three City Council hopefuls in Queens spent roughly half a million dollars a piece - but only one of them was elected. Full Story »

In a district where 24 out of 38 schools failed to meet the state Education Department's definition of "adequate yearly progress" last year, Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School stands out. Full Story »