Chief Superintendent Bruce Duncan thanked the general public for their continued support.

"We would urge our communities to continue providing information because Safer Scotland is a community initiative not just a Police one."

In Orkney 15 acts of vandalism were reported, eight drink related incidents and one incident of knife crime.

An Orkney farmer has paid a record price for a top Charolais bull at the Perth bull show.

Ronnie Baillie of Biggings, Toab paid 17,000 gn (£17,850) for Mowbraypark Umpire, an April 2003 son of Mowbraypark Paramount from C and J Metcalfe of Heatherlands, Ripon.

Keith Eunson of Braebuster, Deerness also paid a high price at 8,500gn (£8,925) for the sale's senior champion, Newhouse Triumph from Drew and Bob Adam, of Newhouse of Glamis, Forfar.

Dr Jim Wilson

More than 300 people have volunteered for the Orkney health study which could find new treatments for Scotland's three major killer diseases - heart disease, strokes and diabetes.

The majority so far have been from Kirkwall and the Orkney Mainland, according to Dr Jim Wilson of the University of Edinburgh.

"I am delighted with this response and our clerical staff have had to work very hard to keep up with the demand.

"But we need 1,000 altogether and so are still looking for anyone else who would be interested to be part of the largest research project in Orkney's history."

Archive story: Genetic study into killer diseases

The Stromness lifeboat went to the aid of a fishing boat in trouble off Suleskerry on Thursday.

The lifeboat was launched just after 3pm to go to the assistance of the Wick-registered Boy Shane, with seven people on board, which had a fouled propeller.

The lifeboat towed the stricken vessel into Stromness, arriving just before midnight.

Northern Isles MP, Alistair Carmichael, has given his backing to proposals launched by the National Federation of Sub Postmasters (NFSP).

They claim that rural post offices are in "serious danger of extinction", with Government policy of having pensions and benefits paid directly into bank accounts resulting in a 40 per cent fall in revenue for some branches.

Mr Carmichael said: "Local communities throughout the Northern Isles depend on post office for access to postal, financial and government services."

"It is essential that the government looks at these proposals by the National Federation of Sub Postmasters and acts upon them."

Only half the beds at Balfour Hospital are occupied in some cases - leading to an unnecessary high staff wage bill, the head of NHS Orkney admitted this week.

Steve Conway revealed that he is baffled by a failure to recognise that savings could have been made in this area for some time.

"I could not believe sitting in this office and what they (health board staff) were telling me - we are underoccupied, over-budget and no-one has done anything about it."

Mr Conway was speaking after The Orcadian revealed last week that up to a third of beds at the hospital could be lost.

An independent judging panel, representing a wide range of sports in Orkney, considered 83 nominations for the ten award categories for the ceremony, to be held at the Pickaquoy Centre on Friday, November 12.

Click here to see full shortlist.

Another man has been charged with mishandling fireworks.

Police confirmed on Wednesday that a 29-year-old man was been charged with setting off a firework from a vehicle on Kirkwall’s Pickaquoy Road at midday on Saturday.

A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

The scam attempts to dupe members of the public into revealing their bank details by replying to fake e-mails which look like they come from legitimate sources. The scam is a real concern at the moment as banks with local branches on Orkney are featured in the mailings.

OIC Trading Standards Service and the police are advising all Orkney folk to be aware of the scam, and report any evidence of it to them on 873535, or at trading.standards@orkney.gov.uk

The facility will travel around the county to allow everyone to enjoy it is part of a package of five units which include a dance studio, a gym for primary children, a climbing wall and a mobile skate park.

The rink is the first one to arrive and has been open at the Pickaquoy Centre during the October holidays. It will return to the leisure centre on November 6 for the open day.

Planning applications for a proposed tidal energy testing facility in Eday have been lodged by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Two potential sites for the building have been identified, at Rushacloust and Zoar, on the island's west coast. The tidal generator will be situated in the tidal stream known as the Fall of Warness, between Eday and the Muckle Green Holm.

The proposal is part of a second phase of developments at the European Marine Energy Test Centre in Stromness.

An teenage violinist from Harray has been selected to play in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

Seventeen-year-old Catriona Price has been awarded one of only 150 places in the orchestra, fending off competition from more than 500 applicants. She will now attend residential courses for the orchestra, which will culminate in performances in some of the country's finest concert halls.

A former pupil of Kirkwall Grammar School, Catriona began studying at St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh last month.

David Matheson, with his wife Marjory, at Buckingham Palace

Former Stromness policeman David Matheson was in London last week to receive the prestigious Queen's Police Medal for distinguished service by Her Majesty the Queen.

Former Sergeant Matheson retired from the Force in February, this year (2004) after completing 30 years service, 18 of which were spent in Stromness.

David and his wife Marjory attended the ceremony at Buckingham Palace on October 21, where the Queen handed over the honour, usually bestowed upon more senior officers.

The relocation of Kirkwall's Groatie Hoose - a folly built around 1730 - is taking longer than anticipated.

Kirkwall Community Council members heard on Monday night that dismantling the structure, which is to be rebuilt in the grounds of Tankerness House, is taking longer than anticipated.

The original completion date of mid-December now looks likely to slip.

Eday, Stronsay, Sanday and North Ronaldsay have recently joined the Scottish Executive's Initiative at the Edge.

Funding, from Orkney Enterprise, Orkney Islands Council, Communities Scotland and the Crofter's Commission, is in place for the equivalent of two full time posts, one covering Sanday and North Ronaldsay, the other Eday and Stronsay.

A 38-year-old man appeared in Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Monday afternoon following an alleged domestic incident in Stronsay at the weekend.

Simon John Birro pleaded guilty to charges, including breach of the peace. The case was continued until November 17 for social inquiry reports.

A Somerfield spokesman said that the transfer of individual stores would be phased in, with 20, as yet unnamed, Scottish stores transferring before Christmas.

He added that jobs will be unaffected and that the Kirkwall store will continue to be operated by Morrisons until it is handed over to Somerfield, when it will be refitted and carry the new owner's range of products.

Archive story: Morrisons dismiss Safeway sale rumour

The letter highlights points raised by Orkney constituents since the consultation began.

Mr Wallace said, "The more the detail is examined, the more questions I find need answering. I've been very much helped in framing these questions by the observations and comments of people who bring their experience to bear on the issue from a medical, aviation and patient's standpoint."

Archive story: Ambulance service boss in Orkney
following news of air service changes