Bronx Weekend News Roundup, April 25

Welcome back to the program, ladies and gentleman of the Bronx and beyond. Without further adieu, let's get down to business.

Weather: Warm, in the high 60s, today with potential for thunderstorms after noon. Supposed to be even warmer tomorrow.

Story of the Day: Prospect Avenue Fire Kills 3 
Early this morning, a swift-moving fire engulfed a Prospect Avenue row house in Belmont, killing a family of three Mexican immigrants -- the 40-year-old mother, 36-year-old father and a 12-year-old son. Two younger children in the family were removed by an uncle, NY1 reports. Another four injured tenants were taken to Jacobi Hospital for treatment. Residents there said the violation-plagued building had been chopped up into a series of single-room apartments. Con Edison had cut off power there last week and neighbors said the building had slipped into foreclosure, turning it into a revolving door for squatters.

Quick Hits:
The Times takes a look at Albany's Brangelina-esque power couple, Bronx State Senator Jeff Klein and Brooklyn/Staten Island State Senator Diane Savino, who have united personally as well as legislatively. Apparently the Albany press corps has dubbed them "Klavino." Klavino makes up half of the independent caucus made of rogue Democrats who have been friendly with the Republican majority.

Angel Ruiz, a Bronx livery cab driver, was rewarded for calling police to report a 61-year-old man being savagely beaten by a man and woman in Mott Haven. The 61-year-old man ended up dying, but the call led to the arrest of two suspects and the NY State Federation of Taxi Drivers rewarded Ruiz for his activism with a $500 check.

About a dozen full-length Bronx-centric films will be shown during Bronx Week (May 12-22) as part of the first annual Bronx Week Film Festival. The festival is being organized by BoogieDowner blogger Greg Tsougranis. The films will show at the Bruckner Bar & Grill from May 16-19.

Mamadou Balde, who remains alive after police shot him several time last week for allegedly waving what turned out to be a fake gun around, is being charged with weapons possession and menacing behavior.

A Bronx teenager was reportedly stabbed to death by gang members after he demanded a $10 refund from a Belmont-area house party he was kicked out of.

A Bronx teenager said she was sodomized at the Metropolitan Hospital psychiatric ward.

The first season of "Car 54, Where Are You?" -- a 60s-era sitcom cop show set and filmed in the Bronx -- has been released on DVD. Here's a clip:


Following reports of a 7-year-old student being handcuffed in Queens, a Bronx mom came out to say she received a $30,000 settlement after her 7-year-old had been handcuffed at PS 71 last year.

The wooing of the Hunts Point produce market continues as the Hudson Reporter reports that market officials are looking at several New Jersey locations.