Orkney children hit by dental crisis

Orkney’s chief area dental officer, Mrs Moya Nelson, also said parents would be required to attend with their child for a full dental assessment, prior to any required treatment.

“We are trying to encourage the preventative approach and increase the parents’ awareness of what we are doing,” she said.

Orkney's pools are second most popular in country

Accounts Commission statistics showed a rise in the number of times people used Kirkwall's swimming pool during 2001 to 2002.

Although the figures elsewhere in Scotland showed a decline in the use of sports facilities, Orkney is still ranked third highest in the country.

Councillors agree on budget balancing measures

The band D council tax rate looks set to go up to £900 - a 9.2 per cent increase.

This is just one of the measures agreed at Thursday's special meeting of the policy and resources committee to balance the council's budget in light of the "inadequate" settlement from the Scottish Executive.

As well as recommending using more money from the OIC cash reserves, councillors agreed to maintain pressure for Orkney to be regarded as a "special case" for funding when compared with the two other islands' councils.

Draft local health plan approved

Orkney’s draft local health plan – which will shape the future of health services in the islands for the next five to ten years – was discussed at a meeting of NHS Orkney on Thursday afternoon.

Board members approved the plan, which aims to enhance health services in Orkney.

NorthLink seek supplemental freight vessel

NorthLink have assured Orkney MSP Jim Wallace they are "actively pursuing" the acquisition of a freight vessel to supplement the Hebridean Isles on the Pentland Firth route.

Mr Wallace met with Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald and NorthLink boss Bill Davidson this week to discuss NorthLink's service to Orkney.

Pentland Ferries challenge rivals with double summer service

Pentland Ferries are planning to introduce a second ferry on the Pentland Firth route this summer - giving them the capacity to carry thousands of passengers every day.

The company hope to run a ferry every two hours during the summer months and are confident they will be able to attract enough passengers to fill both boats.

NorthLink seek supplemental freight vessel

NorthLink have assured Orkney MSP Jim Wallace they are "actively pursuing" the acquisition of a freight vessel to supplement the Hebridean Isles on the Pentland Firth route.

Mr Wallace met with Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald and NorthLink boss Bill Davidson this week to discuss NorthLink's service to Orkney.

Pentland Ferries challenge rivals with double summer service

Pentland Ferries are planning to introduce a second ferry on the Pentland Firth route this summer - giving them the capacity to carry thousands of passengers every day.

The company hope to run a ferry every two hours during the summer months and are confident they will be able to attract enough passengers to fill both boats.

New pier delays loom

The chief executive of NorthLink has admitted that the new Scrabster pier is in a "sorry state" and could already threaten the start of Orkney's tourist season.

The original completion date was August, 2002, and the purpose-built ferry Hamnavoe has been languishing in Leith while the Scrabster terminal runs months behind schedule.

It is thought that recent weather damage could now set the project back to June, 2003.

Fears over future of OIC reserves

His comments came before an OIC meeting to discuss the Scottish Executive's "wholly inadequate" budget settlement - which could force the council to increase the money taken from the cash reserves to 2.4 million a year.

Councillor Halcro-Johnston said: "In the long term that drain on our own resources is simply not sustainable and if the issue is not addressed by Ministers then our reserves will eventually be wiped out."

Rousay break-in attempt

Police are appealing for information after an attempted break-in at the Taversoe Hotel in Rousay this week.

Acting Inspector Colin Gunn said it appeared someone had tried to force open a door at the property overnight on Monday.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 872241.

Police destroy weapons cache

Around 30 weapons - including firearms and knives - are destroyed by Orkney police every three months.

The most recent cache saw 18 rifles and nine knives destroyed at Charles Barton's Hatston scrap metal yard. A police spokesman explained that three of the knives were from incidents, while six knives and 18 firearms were handed in.

He added: "The rifles tend to be old or unwanted and rather than throwing them in a bin or leaving them lying around, they hand them into the police for destruction. It gets them out of circulation.”

£1.2 million cash boost for Orkney schools refurbishment plans

Minister for Education Cathy Jamieson said: "The right physical environment is a vital part of inspiring children in Orkney to realise their full potential during their school years."

"MoD Response Inadequate" - Carmichael

Mr Carmichael also called on the MoD to take measures to monitor the noise levels of their aircraft.

He said: "Although the MoD has no legal obligation to consult, there ought to have been proper public consultation with the communities affected."

Concerns as Orkney designated fighter jet testing range

Crantit Dairy acquire fudge factory

A new era for Robertson's Orkney Fudge began on Tuesday with the announcement that the company is being taken over by Crantit Dairy.

The Kirkwall dairy, which produces a range of Orkney ice creams, confirmed their acquisition of the Stromness fudge company on Monday.

Overnight powercuts close schools

Powercuts overnight meant that all schools in Orkney were closed on Tuesday. Orkney College was also closed to pupils.

It is understood that heavy snow on the Scottish mainland was to blame for the power interruptions that affected most of Orkney.

Man remanded in custody

Two men appeared in private at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Monday following a break-in at Anchor Buildings last week.

Carl James Howley (18), c/o SACRO, was remanded in custody and Bernard Peter Wishart (22), c/o SACRO, was released on bail.

Executive cash safeguards future of rural fire units

There were fears that a lack of cash to provide breathing apparatus could force rural stations, such as Flotta and North Ronaldsay, to close on health and safety grounds.

But following a meeting with Scottish Executive officials on Friday, the Highland and Islands Fire Board were promised the necessary amount of funding.

Police urge care in wintry weather

Drivers are being urged to take heed of the winter weather after a spate of road accidents.

A police spokesman stressed on Monday that although all main roads have remained open, driving conditions have been far from ideal and motorists should drive accordingly.

Orkney Rugby Club's First XV were beaten on Saturday, playing Highland RFC away.

The Orkney squad lost 24-5.

Lights, camera, action.....

Filming for a Grampian Television programme looking behind the scenes at The Orcadian began on Saturday.

The documentary on a 'day in the life' of the newspaper will focus on the staff at the newspaper and is scheduled for broadcast later this year.

Website activity continues to increase

January has seen another dramatic increase in activity on The Orcadian Online website.

The access statistics until Friday morning showed a staggering 106,827 page impressions and 58,816 visits - an increase of over 16 per cent since November, 2002. This works out at almost 1,900 visits a day and 3,500 page views.

For full details and definitions, click here.