Brandon Thongsavanh was hoping for a new trial or a shorter sentence for his murder conviction.

He got neither.

But he did get a 15-minute reprieve, thanks to an electrical problem at Androscoggin County Superior Court this week.

Less than a half-hour into the sentencing hearing Thursday, as defense lawyer Scott Lynch was arguing for yet a third jury trial, the normally dimly lit courtroom went dark.

The drumming of feet could be heard before emergency lights flicked on seconds later. Androscoggin Sheriff’s Office deputies guarding Thongsavanh had scrambled in the dark to make sure the defendant didn’t bolt.

Justice Ellen Gorman left the bench. Then, deputies escorted Thongsavanh from the courtroom until the lights brightened.

Courthouse workers said blackouts are a common occurrence in the courtroom. It went dark once before during one of Thongsavanh’s earlier hearings, they said.

– Christopher Williams
Kids keep Maine warm

Through fundraisers such as dances and spirit week, Telstar Middle School students raised $1,500 to keep low-income Mainers warm this winter.

Twelve Telstar student councilors traveled from Bethel to the State House on Wednesday and gave Gov. John Baldacci the check. The students were responding to Baldacci’s call for donations to the Keep ME Warm Charitable Fuel Fund after the federal government cut money to needy Mainers.

Baldacci said he was proud of the students, and that the money would help senior citizens and the disabled.

Other donations from churches, businesses and citizens are adding up to more than $400,000. Those interested in donating may call (800) 698-4959 or go to www.mainecommunityaction.org.

– Bonnie Washuk
Lee-oo-blee-huh?

There were a lot of hesitantly asked questions and answers at Thursday’s 2006 National Geographic Geography Bee at SAD 21’s Dirigo Middle School.

Twenty-eight students from grades five through eight were whittled to three after seven rounds before a winner was found.

It wasn’t all seriousness, though.

Fifth-grade teacher Kathleen Richards, who asked the questions, stumbled several times over names of places and things.

“Community gardens dot the landscape in – Oh, my God! – lee-oo-blee-AH-nah (Ljubljana), the capital of which European country?” she asked a contestant.

“Can you repeat the question?”

“You’re going to try to make me say that again?!”

She did, to which the response was a quick, “I don’t know.” (The correct answer was Slovenia.)

But one youth’s answer and subsequent explanation caused everyone to burst out laughing.

The boy, who wore a black T-shirt sporting the name of metal band AC/DC, was asked, “To visit a famous chocolate factory in Brussels, you would travel to which European country?”

“Belgium,” the boy quickly blurted, surprising Richards, who asked how he knew.

Sheepishly, the youth responded, “Well, there’s a song by AC/DC …”

– Terry Karkos

Seeing green

Care Bears like stars and rainbows, but apparently their keepers are all about greenbacks.

Corporate Bear debuted this week in a fuzzy shade matching envy.

After learning Mariah Perry of Greene would be in town this weekend for a series of shows with Care Bears Live, the Sun Journal called Vee Productions in hopes of catching up with her peace-loving Harmony Bear character.

But a Vee Production’s Corporate Bear said one needs to call way in advance to arrange such a thing, even though the Care Bears have hour-long breaks before and after performances.

Also, she said, to be honest, “From the perspective of Vee Productions, first and foremost, the coverage that we need to generate is about Care Bears Live.”

A story about local girl Perry was of no interest to the Care Bear corporate offices, and the fact that it wouldn’t be published until Sunday, when there were only two shows left, was even more of a drawback.

Sorry, Harmony Bear fans. Lavender just isn’t in this year.

– Kelly Morgan

Cat-astrophe averted

For five years, no one wanted to claim Buster the cat.

Lewiston Public Works employees took care of him, fed him, paid his vet bills. They fretted over his eye, which was damaged by abuse he suffered as a kitten. They cut a cat door in the building so he could wander and they placed boxes and blankets around the complex so he’d always have a warm place to sleep.

But soon after a story about Buster appeared in the Sun Journal, someone came forward.

That’s my cat, the man said.

Looking for Buster, the man wandered around public works and its vehicles. Workers asked him to leave, afraid he’d be hit by the traffic.

“Long story short, he didn’t get to see the cat,” said Paul Boudreau, Public Works director.

They invited him back within days. Could this be Buster’s long-lost owner? Could this be the man to take Buster from his adoptive home?

No.

To the relief of many at Public Works, the man realized Buster wasn’t his.

– Lindsay Tice

Space doggy

While I was interviewing Bethel Police Chief Alan Carr at his home in Albany Township last week, two of his three large dogs repeatedly interrupted, seeking attention.

Carr’s wife, Julia, had to frequently call 13-year-old German shepherd Houston, and 6-month-old black Labrador retriever Jerry away from her husband and me in the living room.

At one point, though, the German shepherd returned yet again and put his head on my notepad, forcing me to stop writing.

That’s when Carr piped up, “Houston, we’ve got a problem.”

– Terry Karkos