Can't find plugins/widgets to do the following...help appreciated

Hello,
I'm looking for plugins/widgets to do the following, and have been unable to find any searching on WP's site. Have you found plugins/widgets to:

1. Show contents/nav menu from the level of any specific sub-category down. ie: If the category is "Harware Store" and I'm on the sub-category page "Power Tools", I would like to see a widget showing the sub-contents of "Power Tools" such as "Drills" "Table Saws", etc.

2. Show "latest post" by category or sub-category and - ideally - have option of leaving out the date and the option of choosing which category/sub-category to query. For example: the widget, titled "Latest Posts" would show "Drills (sub-category, ideally linked to that sub-category page): - "new Crafstman in stock" (link to latest post in that sub-category) Table Saws (different sub-category, ideally linked): "how to cut at 45 degrees" ( link to latest post in that sub-category).

Thanks!