Anti-war St Magnus vigil

The newly formed Orkney Coalition for Justice not War held another silent protest outside St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall on Saturday.

The latest protest began at noon with organisers welcoming anyone opposing the drive to war with Iraq.

Orkney has the lowest teenage pregnancy rate in Scotland, according to new figures.

The number of girls falling pregnant, between the ages of 13-19, has fallen from 39 in 1991 to ten in 2001. This means Orkney has the lowest teenage pregnancy rate of 12 per 1,000 women – a fall from 43.5 per 1,000 in 1991.

However, a spokesman from NHS Orkney warned that only one or two pregnancies could put Orkney at the top or bottom of the Scottish table.

Police urge vigilance after latest break-ins

Kirkwall police are appealing for people to be vigilant following another series of break-ins in the town.

Rendall Furnishings in Bridge Street, Kirkwall, was broken into overnight on Thursday, and attempts were made to force open a door to office premises in Willowburn Road, Kirkwall between 5pm on Tuesday and 9am on Wednesday, according to police.

Man reported after fraud allegations

A man is to be reported to the procurator fiscal in Orkney following allegations of fraud.

Acting Inspector Colin Gunn said that a man was arrested and taken to Kirkwall Police Station on Tuesday evening following a complaint of fraud.

He was later released.

A Kirkwall man changed his not guilty plea halfway through a trial at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Thursday and admitted supplying cannabis resin.

Sheriff Colin Scott Mackenzie has called for social inquiry and community service reports on John Ross Harrold (33), Lambaness, Kirkwall, after he pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis resin between September 14 and December 14, 2001, at his home address.

Women’s Aid Orkney are moving to new offices, to allow their clients a little more privacy.

From next Monday, the local charity's office will be at 13 Bridge Street and will be accessible through a side entrance.

Mrs Fiona Tully, Women’s Aid co-ordinator, said that having a side entrance, rather than using the main reception at Voluntary Action Orkney, allowed women who wished to speak to them greater anonymity.

Cannabis campaigner trial adjourned

The trial of Orkney MS sufferer Biz Ivol has been adjourned for two weeks due the weather.

Ms Ivol was due to stand trial at a specially convened court in Kirkwall Town Hall on Thursday but witnesses and her defence lawyer were unable to attend because of the weather.

The wheelchair-bound woman, who denies supplying, growing and possessing cannabis, is unable to access Kirkwall Sheriff Court because of its lack of disabled facilities.

The first phase of the Northern Lighthouse Board’s withdrawal from Stromness will begin at the end of February when they will stop operating helicopter flights to and from the helipad at Ness Battery.

The chief executive and operations director of the lighthouse board have been in Orkney this week to continue discussions with the OIC about future use of the depot in Stromness.

Committee recommend Glaitness school extension

The OIC's education committee on Wednesday recommended that new facilities for primary children with special needs be built at the Glaitness School complex.

The recommendation to create a £2.1 extension to the Glaitness site follows various consultations and was unanimously accepted by members of the education committee.

Police seek Willowburn witnesses

Police are appealing for witnesses after an attempt was made to force open the front door of office premises in Willowburn Road, Kirkwall, on Tuesday night.

Anyone with information is asked to call 872241.

Fish farming has minimal impact on algal blooms says SEPA report

Fish farming has little effect on the occurrences of algal blooms. That's the main conclusion of a Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) report into the impact of fish farming waste on blooms.

Algal blooms can lead to toxins in shellfish making them unfit to eat, something that has hit the Orkney shellfish industry in recent years.

The report suggests that the apparent increase in shellfish poisoning in the Northern Isles could be due to more comprehensive monitoring procedures.

Papdale residents asked for comments on proposed improvements

With a number of footpaths and amenity areas with the Papdale area of Kirkwall to be improved, residents are being invited to view the plans in the Lambaness hall.

Comments on the proposals can be put to Mr Glen Hopkins at the OIC (Tel 01856 873535).

Pupils try their hand at fish farming

Pupils from Dounby, Firth, Hope and Stromness Primaries and Stronsay Junior High are involved in the joint project from Orkney Trout Fishing Association and Scottish National Heritage.

The young fish will be eventually be released into the wild.

Council house rents set to rise

Council house rents in Orkney are likely to rise by £1.07 a week, following a recommendation from councillors.

Councillors were told that the 2.6 per cent increase, which will see the average weekly rent rise from £37.65 to £38.64, is in line with inflation.

Runway closed to make room for ILS

A little-used runway at Kirkwall Airport is to be withdrawn from service to accommodate the new Instrument Landing Service.

Runway 06/24 is currently used very occasionally by scheduled flights in certain wind directions and for emergencies. There are two other fully operational runways at Kirkwall Airport.

A meeting to discuss the proposal is being held in Kirkwall on Friday.

Council back terminal development plan

Councillors have agreed to fund the installation of a mains drainage system at the site – at a total estimated cost of £200,000.

It is hoped that serviced sites in the vicinity will prove attractive to companies, such as distributors, using the terminal.

Glaitness housing contract awarded

The work, which is expected to begin in the next month, involves providing necessary siteworks and services to each plot.

A revised tender of £228,700 was accepted by the OIC accepted under delegated powers.

New group to highlight opposition to Iraq war

A new group has been set up in Orkney to voice opposition to the growing threat of war in Iraq.

The Orkney Coalition for Justice not War was formed after a public meeting in Kirkwall at the weekend.

The group intends to build on recent protests, highlight the "illegality and dangers of a war on Iraq" as well as arranging petitions showing the opposition to the war.

Fire damages Longhope house

A house in Longhope was badly damaged by fire on Sunday.

Local volunteer fire fighters, assisted by the Stromness Fire Brigade, attended the blaze, which destroyed the kitchen and bathroom of the property.

The Orcadian in the spotlight

Activities behind the scenes at The Orcadian look set to come under the spotlight next month, with a Grampian television crew filming a documentary on a 'day in the life' of the newspaper.

Filming is due to begin this weekend, with the programme scheduled for broadcast later this year.

OIC cash goes towards geophysics unit

Orkney College's archaeology department is expanding after Orkney Islands Council awarded them money towards a new Geophysics Survey Unit.

Councillors have pledged £40,000 towards the facility, which will be used both for teaching students, and to bring in income through commercial surveys.

Decisive win for Orkney in Stirling

Seven tries in Stirling on Saturday afternoon saw Orkney Rugby Club's First XV win their latest Division Four fixture.

The Orkney squad beat Stirling University 43-3.

NorthLink issue temporary timetable for dry dock period

Over the period, the Aberdeen - Kirkwall - Lerwick route will be served by one vessel only, which will travel north one day and south the next. As a result, calls at Kirkwall will be reduced, with one southbound call on a Friday and one northbound, on a Sunday, each week.

The timetable is in effect from February 17 until March 2.

Click here to view timetable details.

Orkney included in aerial photography contract

A photographic aerial record of Orkney is on the way, with the announcement that Getmapping have won the contract to photograph Scotland from the air.

The £50,000 Ordnance Survey contract will see the creation of a photographic colour map of Scotland to complement Getmapping's own map of England and Wales.