The $150 million reconstruction project on the two mile esplanade between East River park and Battery Park was supposed to be done last year, but you know the drill. Two thirds of the promenade still have a long way to go, and last year the state Department of Environmental Conservation fined the city and contractor Pile Foundation Construction Company $200,000 because workers were allowing the shoreline to erode into the water. Now a DEC spokesman......

Newsday reports that the "elusive alligator" that has been seen in Hewlett creek for weeks was caught by Ron Settino, a 63-year-old bass fisherman. He said, "I've been hunting this guy for a while now. Considering the fact that he doesn't belong here, I really wanted to get him out." Apparently the 33-inch (but very dangerous) alligator bit an artificial lure, and another fisherman helped pick it up. Settino added, "The alligator was good. He......