Police introduce drugs tests as part of festive safety campaign

A third of Orkney's police have been trained in the American-style roadside tests for those suspected of being under the influence of drugs.

Sergeant Jim Pryde said: "Do not drive under the influence of any substance." He added. "We would ask that anybody that may have any suspicious of a person driving under the influence of anything to contact the confidential line 870999 or the police station on 872241."

Census paper details Scotland's islands

The paper shows that while Scottish island population levels are dropping, the population of Orkney Mainland has increased.

It also highlights that the number of people born in England make up a bigger proportion of island populations than mainland Scotland. In 2001, a total of 15 Scottish islands, the majority of which were in Orkney, had at least a quarter of their population born in England.

The full paper is available for download at the GRO website.

Crofters Commission outline changes

More than 30 people turned out to a public meeting in Kirkwall on Thursday night to hear Crofters Commission representatives talk through possible changes to the way they distribute.

Proposals include limiting the length of time people can get help from the livestock improvement scheme and extending financial support to non-agricultural uses.

Shane Rankin, chief executive of the commission, said the changes were necessary to meet EU restrictions on grants and to try to increase the uptake of the funding.

MP calls for improved power connection

Mr Carmichael stressed that the current energy framework has to change if renewable energy resources in Orkney and Shetland are to be exploited.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Carmichael said: "This is essential if we are to develop our abundant wind, tidal and wave resources, which we are keen to share with the rest of the country."

First fresh air, and now a cottage....

The property, thought to be at Ayre in Cross, shas attracted three bids so far, the highest standing at £22,100.

Practice plans unveiled

The meeting, in the Kirkwall health centre, had representatives of both practices, NHS Orkney and the developers available to answer questions.

NHS threatened with human rights case

Renal patients have threatened to take NHS Orkney to the European Court of Human Rights in a bid to improve kidney services in Orkney.

Chairman of the Orkney Kidney Patients' Association Richard Shoesmith said members feel they are receiving a second-class service from the health board - and claim they could build their own dialysis unit and bill the health board for it.

The association want to see a renal unit set up at the Balfour Hospital and manned by trained nurses.

North rugby teams face challenge to national league set-up

Orkney Rugby Club could soon be playing in a different national league if radical suggestions by clubs south are implemented.

A handful of clubs from Edinburgh have urged rugby's governing body to review the competitive structure of the leagues - because they claim their existence is being threatened as they have to pay huge costs to travel north to play fixtures against Orkney, Shetland and Caithness.

However a spokeswoman for Scottish Rugby Union said a decision on the matter would not be made by the SRU.

Nursery strike action to hit two schools

Two of Orkney's biggest primary schools will be affected by week-long strike action next week as nursery nurses step up their campaign for better pay and conditions.

Papdale Primary School in Kirkwall and Stromness Primary School will see nursery teachers on strike from Monday to Friday.

A fifth of all nursery nurses across Scotland are taking part in the selective industrial action.

Flotta firm secure high profile technology trial

A Flotta based company has secured an international contract to evaluate a water treatment system.

The high profile project is the first for Opus Plus Ltd since the company revealed its new corporate identity in September.

Formerly ERT (Orkney) Ltd, Opus will carry out the 24 hour a day testing at their facilities on Flotta.

Kirkwall jewellery firm contemplate sale

One of Orkney's best known jewellery firms, Ola Gorie, could be going up for sale.

Managing director Duncan Maclean confirmed on Tuesday that plans are in the pipeline that could eventually see the 43-year-old business sold.

Mr Maclean said: "We're still in the very early stages of a process that could last several months. I'm confident there will be considerable interest, from a variety of sources, in what is one of the UK's leading jewellery brands."

Click here for Ola Gorie website

CAP reform meeting rescheduled

A meeting in Kirkwall to discuss the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy has been rescheduled.

The NFU Scotland meeting, which the union president John Kinnaird is to attend, will now take place in Matchmakers on Tuesday, December 9.

Orkney branch chairman George Rouse said: "This will be the last opportunity for members to give their views before the end of the consultation period so I hope people will take the chance to clear up any issues on which they are uncertain."

Overseas students Orkney bound?

Orkney College could soon be welcoming more students from the USA.

Susan Holgate, Director of International Programmes at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, visited the county recently to find out more about the courses on offer.

And she was enthusiastic about the prospect of fostering closer links with the island. "Orkney College offers several excellent courses and it would be wonderful for our students to experience the beautiful scenery and rich cultural heritage the island provides", she said.

Cash boost for Stromness bakery

An £80,300 Orkney Enterprise grant looks set to provide a jobs boost to Stromness.

Tods of Orkney, the manufacturers of 'Stockans' and 'Gardens' range of oatcakes, are receiving the cash to help upgrade its Stromness premises. The company employ around 50 full-time staff in the county, with 27 based in Stromness.

Michael Reid of Orkney Enterprise said: "The expansion of Tods of Orkney is great news for Stromness, with three valuable new jobs being created as a result of this investment."

Wallace questions FSA scallop testing

Orkney MSP Jim Wallace has raised concerns that scallop fishing restrictions in Orkney could be being prolonged due to the frequency of testing.

After asking the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for sample details, Mr Wallace learned that although samples were regularly collected in Scapa Flow, areas covering Rousay, Sanday, Eday, Westray and Stronsay seem to have fallen behind.

Mr Wallace stressed that although restrictions for public health reasons would obviously be accepted, he added: "it is not acceptable for there to be any delay in reopening fisheries when toxin levels fall."

"Obsessive" bird thief jailed

Magistrates at St Helens Court on Tuesdsay heard John Latham plead guilty to "obsessive trophy hunting". He was sentenced to three months' custody.

Earlier this year Latham was fined £2,500 for stealing eggs in Evie.

Archive story: £5,000 fine for Evie wildlife offences

Engine problem scuppers Egilsay schoolboy ferry run

The contract to ferry a lone schoolboy from Egilsay to the nearby island of Rousay has fallen through again.

Engine problems with the vessel contracted to transport Jordan Basford to attend school in Rousay has delayed the start of the service.

The OIC will now have to reassess the situation.

Archive story: Boat owner needed for unique Egilsay service

Westray business through to final of environmental award scheme

A Westray accommodation provider has been named a regional finalist in the VIBES 2003 awards - awards that recognise environmentally astute businesses.

The organisers cite Kilnman's Cottage, restored by Sandy and Willie McEwen, as "a model of good practice in conservation terms, environmental terms and recycling."

The regional finalists will learn on December 3 whether they have won one of the three national awards.

Roving Eye Enterprises of Orphir were among the shortlisted companies for the north of Scotland.

Bill to allow more people to stand for council introduced to Parliament

The Local Governance (Scotland) Bill will see changes to the election process, how councillors are paid and "remove barriers" to allow a more diverse range of people to stand for election.

The problem was highlighted locally by, then councillor, Jack Moodie, who campaigned to get more young people to stand for council.

Archive story:Youngest councillor stands down to seek financial security

Report highlights Orkney's home maintenance costs

House maintenance cost Orkney householders an average £1,100 per dwelling in 2001 - according to the results of a Scottish Executive survey released on Monday.

The 2002 survey revealed that houseowners spent £8 million on work on their homes in the previous year. In addition, 86 per cent of the county's homes had some level of disrepair.

Although 70 per cent of Orkney's 9,000 dwellings had central heating, the survey classed almost half as "fuel poor" - a situation where more than ten per cent of a house's income is spent on household fuel.

Full report available on www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk

Orkney women chosen for study

Orkney has been chosen for a study into the position of women in the Highlands and Islands area.

As a result the county's women are invited to have their say at an initial meeting on Thursday at 7.30pm in the Pickaquoy Centre. Contact ishabel.bremner@ekos.co.uk for further details or to register.

The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) study will be looking at various issues, and aims to understand the barriers faced by women in relation to employment, career progression and economic inclusion.

2001