There was a lot of shouting Friday in Androscoggin County Superior Court.

But it wasn’t a case of an unruly defendant acting up during court proceedings. It was the prosecutor and defense attorney just following the judge’s instructions.

As she took her seat at the bench, Justice Joyce Wheeler told the attorneys to speak up because she had an ear infection and couldn’t hear anything in her left ear.

While arguing a motion, defense attorney Leonard Sharon said: “… if evidence is taken from the state crime lab …”

Wheeler interrupted Sharon, asking, “Did you say the Kremlin?”

Sharon assured the judge he didn’t say “Kremlin,” although he admitted afterward he may have been thinking the procedure was somewhat similar to happenings at the fortified complex in Moscow that houses the Russian president.

– By Christopher Williams
Staying warm in the Iraqi desert

About 40 pairs of long johns, 50 pairs of socks and 100 tubes of Chapstick are among the growing pile of goods destined for western Iraq.

The aim: to keep a bunch of Marines – and a 26-year-old Navy corpsman from Auburn – warm on chilly desert nights.

Patrick Gravel, a 1999 graduate of Edward Little High School, sent an e-mail request for help last month. (See related story on Page 1A)

“I am asking you all for help with keeping my boys warm while on post in the guard towers,” Gravel wrote. “Please!!”

The plea has drawn donations from throughout Lewiston-Auburn. By the middle of next week, American Legion Post 153 in New Auburn, which is collecting the stuff, plans to ship at least 10 boxes of goods to Gravel’s unit.

And more may be coming.

Several businesspeople and someone from Sherwood Heights Elementary School have inquired about helping, too.

“Keep it coming. We’ll ship it,” said Emmett Stuart, commander of the New Auburn legion post.

– Daniel Hartill
‘Coke’ and fries

In his Friday “Communicator” about state police work, Maine Department of Public Safety Steve McCausland titled one of his entries “Coke with those fries.”

A 29-year-old Sanford man was stopped on the Maine Turnpike in Wells by Trooper Roger Teachout. Hidden in a McDonald’s bag inside the man’s car were 2.8 ounces of cocaine. Loudy Munoz, 29, of Sanford, was charged with dealing cocaine and possessing a concealed weapon. Trooper Teachout found a knife in the waistband of Munoz’ pants.

Munoz is scheduled to make his court appearance in York on Wednesday.

No word on whether there was any food left in the bag.

– Bonnie Washuk

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