New court date for cannabis campaigner

Cannabis campaigner Biz Ivol has been ordained to appear at a specially convened hearing of court next month.

The trial against Mrs Ivol, of Herston, South Ronaldsay, will now be held on March 13 in the Kirkwall Town Hall. She is charged with supplying, possessing and growing cannabis.

Mrs Ivol, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and is a long-time campaigner for the legalisation of cannabis, saw her trial date of January 30 cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

Councillors approve 9.2 per cent council tax increase

Orkney’s council tax is to go up to £900 from last year’s figure of £824 for a Band D property.

At Thursday's special full council meeting, councillors agreed to apply an across-the-board 9.2 per cent increase from April.

A move by Kirkwall councillor, Captain Bob Sclater, to limit the rise to £880 was defeated by ten votes to seven.

Extra £100,000 contingency fund cash earmarked for social work training

Councillors at Thursday's special full council meeting agreed to set aside a further £100,000 for training from the Relevant Services Contingency Fund.

This is in addition to the £1.32 million already coming from the fund to balance the council’s budget.

The training is for social work staff in particular.

Twenty per cent increase in Orkney pensioners by 2010

Orkney's pensionable population will increase by 20 per cent by 2010 ­ one of the greatest factors in shaping the county¹s local health plan.

The draft plan has been approved by health board members and will go out to consultation until March 8, when it will be presented back before the NHS Orkney board for full approval.

Cash shake-up spells catastrophe for Orkney doctors

Orkney could lose 18 GPs under a Scottish Executive funding formula - signalling the death knell for many island communities, according to an island doctor.

Rousay GP Dr Garry Mearns says the government's funding offer could have a "catastrophic" effect on Orkney.

He warned that the new funding formula would see Orkney get a 40 per cent decrease in the cash allocated for GPs - which would mean reduction from 27 GPs in the county to 9.5.

Legal action still on cards as Hamnavoe lies in Leith

The £28 million ferry Hamnavoe is costing NorthLink an extra £10,000 a week tied up at Leith - as ten crew remain on board the ship going nowhere.

But according to NorthLink, although they are having to bear the brunt of the additional costs at present, the matter of who will foot the bill at the end could be a matter for the courts.

The Hamnavoe cannot begin service until the new Scrabster pier is completed - a project currently running six months behind schedule.

MP heads to South Atlantic

Orkney's MP Alistair Carmichael is visiting the Falkland Islands for a week.

He is a member of a cross-party delegation from Westminster invited to visit the remote territory in the South Atlantic as guests of the Falkland Islands government.

Mr Carmichael flew out on Thursday evening.

Rise in local unemployment

Local unemployment has risen considerably in the last month according to statistics released today.

The number of people out of work and claiming benefit in Orkney in mid-January was 282 - 44 more than the previous month.

The current level of unemployment represents 2.4 per cent of the possible workforce.

£94,000 grant to volunteer centre

VAO's Volunteer Centre has been awarded over £94,000 from the Community Fund to help match Scottish Executive funding for the next three years.

This, together with smaller grants, will mean the current level of staffing will continue until 2006.

The Volunteer Centre normally attracts in the region of 70 people into volunteering each year.

Twenty bulls head north after Perth sales

More than 40,000 guineas (£42,000) was spent by Orkney farmers at last week's Perth Pedigree bull sales.

Twenty bulls were bought by local breeders, with the top price of 10,000 guineas paid by Terry Coghill of Muce Farm, Birsay for a 21-month-old Limousin.

Howley committed for trial

A teenager was fully committed for trial on Tuesday after appearing in private at Kirkwall Sheriff Court.

Appearing following recent break-ins at Kirkwall's Anchor Buildings, Carl James Howley (18) was remanded in custody.

Opening night for Fiddler on the Roof

Kirkwall Amateur Operatic Society's latest production opened on Tuesday night in Kirkwall.

This year they are performing the musical Fiddler on the Roof. The production runs in the Orkney Arts Theatre until Saturday, February 15.

Record entry for drama festival

This year’s local drama festival has attracted one of the highest number of plays for some years.

Starting on February 25, 12 teams are taking part in the Orkney District Finals of the Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) festival representing the South and North Isles, the East and West Mainland. Two youth teams are also competing.

It is the first time that one club has entered four plays - Stromness Drama Club have three standard entries and a youth team.

Executive cash for Westray-Eday link

Orkney MSP, Jim Wallace, has succeeded in getting grant assistance towards the cost of building a new jetty on Eday and providing a facility for foot passengers at Westray's Rapness terminal.

The small pier near Bredikirk in Eday will be used to provide a direct link to Westray for boat owners or operators.

Orkney Islands Council are to receive a Scottish Executive grant for £300,000 towards the cost of the work.

Orkney College launch archaeology degree course

Julie Gibson (left) and Jane Downes

Orkney College's new MA degree in Archaeological Practice began on Monday.

For the first year the course has attracted five students, one of whom is an Orkney resident.

Archaeologist Jane Downes is the course leader, who, along with county archaeologist Julie Gibson, was responsible for designing the course.

Minister visits Orkney

Scotland's Minister for the Environment and Rural development, Mr Ross Finnie, was in Orkney on Monday.

After visiting Orkney Auction Mart in the morning, Mr Finnie headed to Netherton and Graemeshall farms in Holm.

He finished the day with Orkney Fisheries Association.

Bowling alley open for business

Powerbowl - opened on Monday.(www.orkneyphotographic.co.uk)

Kirkwall's long-awaited tenpin bowling alley opened its doors for business on Monday.

Powerbowl, the new £600,000 complex, houses eight bowling lanes, a bar and cafe as well as pool tables and video games.

Opening hours are 10am to 11pm Monday to Thursday and Sunday and 10am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Lorraine named Journalist of the Year

The Orcadian reporter Lorraine Shearer was named Journalist of the Year at the Highlands and Islands Media awards in Nairn on Friday night.

She received her award from Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell.

Lorraine had attended the annual Press Ball to receive her highly commended prizes in the Feature Writer of the Year and Local Newspaper Reporter of the Year categories.

Missed chances cost Orkney dear

Orkney Rugby Club narrowly lost 10-11 this afternoon against Edinburgh side Lismore in their latest Division Four fixture.

It was a very close game but Orkney failed to take their chances in the first half with some poor handling costing them dearly.

A penalty kick which could have secured the points in the final seconds of the match was missed.