Members at Friday's special OIC transportation committee meeting agreed to the independent proposal from an engineer on the island.

The existing ferry, MV Graemsay, can carry ro-ro traffic, but the present island pier has no facility to take advantage of it.

Councillors supported the islanders requests, their decision going against the OIC officials' recommendation that a special hard ramp for ro-ro operations be set up next to the pier.

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry confirmed on Thursday that Orkney's Community Safety Partnership is to receive £25,250 to make the county a safer place to live and work.

The funding will go towards tackling community safety and anti-social behaviour, utlising schemes like the community wardens piloted last year.

Archive story: OIC hope to continue community warden scheme

Passenger numbers at Kirkwall airport dropped slightly in January - with a three per cent decrease in January 2004 compared to 2003.

January 2004 saw 7,364 passengers use the airport, compared to 7,618 in January 2003. But despite the drop, totals for the past ten months show a 2.1 per cent increase, with 96,442 passengers using the facility.

Orkney MSP Jim Wallace has written to the board of NHS Orkney demanding answers to a number of questions arising from the statement issued earlier this week.

As well as seeking explanations for the circumstances surrounding the announcement, Mr Wallace said the board were right to apologise for those who have had operations cancelled.

Archive story: NHS Orkney cuts angers local medical practitioners

Orkney's MP, Alistair Carmichael, has flown to Ohio in the USA in an effort to help a Scot on death row clear his name.

Kenny Richey was sentenced to death after being convicted of arson and the aggravated murder of a two-year-old girl in 1986. But supporters now claim that evidence discovered since his conviction proves he is innocent. But his execution date is to be confirmed this year.

Mr Carmichael, together with Amnesty International UK director Kate Allen, was due to see Richey on Thursday, before going on to speak with Ohio state officials on Friday.

The Hatston Pier

The new Hatston Pier is finally open for business - five months after Price Edward officially declared the passenger terminal open.

The £19 million facility was officially handed over to the OIC on Wednesday, who now plan to move as much traffic as possible to the new complex.

The Streamline Shipping vessel Navigia and a fertiliser transport were due to use the pier this week.

A June "switch-on" date has been given for Kirkwall Airport's Instrument Landing System (ILS) - even though the technical work on the project is completed.

The £1.6 million facility is ready for operation but is being hindered by "bureaucrats" from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Paul Watson, the general manager of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, said on Wednesday.

Mr Watson added that CAA officials are due to give the project the official thumbs up on Friday. But before it becomes operational, paperwork detailing the facility must be circulated globally - a process expected to take six weeks.

Figures released by the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) have shown that 2003 was their busiest year on record.

Nationally, lifeboats around the British Isles launched a record total of 8,047 times. Orkney's three lifeboats - Kirkwall, Stromness and Longhope - were launched 22 times, rescuing 33 individuals.

The new system allows flight information, cancellations, delays etc to be transmitted online every three minutes - thus allowing travellers to keep an eye on the situation at the airport.

The information appears on the Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd website at www.hial.co.uk.

Orkney looks set to be gripped by wintry weather again next week, with forecasters expecting the return of snow from Sunday.

At present it looks like a northerly airflow over the islands will see a return of wintry showers, with the possibility of significant snow fall and overnight frosts.

Sixteen-year-old Orkney squash player Adam Bews began a sponsorship deal on Wednesday aimed to help him achieve his ambition of playing for Scotland.

The sponsorship agreement with airline Loganair guarantees a series of flights between Kirkwall, Aberdeen and Edinburgh over the next four years.

Adam is currently ranked number five in Scotland at Under-17 level.

The statement confirms that patient numbers due to travel to Aberdeen for treatment under the Grampian University Hospital Trust (GUHT) exceeded the budgeted figure.

The decision has caused major concerns among local medical practitioners, who have hit out at the board over taking the action without prior consultation with them and their patients.

The statement responds: "The Board acknowledges and fully understands their concern but has a statutory responsibility to operate within its financial obligation…"

Click here for full statement

Islands councillors have deferred the decision on funding a full-time director for the annual St Magnus Festival to the OIC's recreation and culture committee.

Until recently the festival was run by a committee of dedicated volunteers with a director working three days a week.

But councillors on Tuesday's policy and resources committee discussed recommendations for a grant of £23,356 to fund the full time director's post, which will run until March 2005.

Durkadale Burn's latest inhabitant - the minnow

Two species of fish, previously unknown to Orkney, have now become established in the county. Stoneloach have been present in the Durkadale Burn in Birsay for the past 15 to 20 years, but minnow have arrived there within the last two or three years.

The movement of any species of plant or animal to areas where they would not normally be found, is of major concern to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) due to potential adverse impact on native wildlife.

Click here for full story

Mr Ian Crozier

Mr Iain Crozier has been appointed as Director of Finance, initially on a two year secondment. Born in Stromness, Mr Crozier left Orkney in 1964, following his father's retirement.

Meanwhile, Dr Ken Black has been appointed Consultant in Public Health Medicine.

Interviews for the post of Chief Executive will take place on March 1.

The Orkney project is the forerunner of Jobcentre Plus's 'Buddy to Work' scheme - which teams Jobcentre customers with a "buddy" to help them find work.

Kirkwall Jobcentre Delivery Manager Karen Johnstone explained that the scheme will help customers currently receiving Incapacity Benefit or Income Support but who require additional help to either secure or retain employment.

The project was officially launched at the Orkney Library and Archive in Kirkwall by Isles MP Alistair Carmichael.

The cost of running Orkney's school bus service looks set to increase with a marked rise noted in the tenders received for the service.

The OIC had previously set a budget of £1,147,000 but the tenders received for the service were considerably higher, increasing by 35 per cent.

A bus services working group will be meeting again to reconsider options, but given the fact that the tenders expire in mid-March, councillors at Tuesday's meeting of the policy and resources committee passed responsibility for accepting the tenders to the relevant OIC directors.

An artist's impression of the four Sanday wind turbines. Click the image for an enlargement.

Scottish and Southern Energy Plc confirmed on Monday that they have bought the windfarm at Spurness on Sanday.

The windfarm was bought from Spurness Wind Energy and the £8.3 million farm is due to have it first three turbines fully operation by the end of the year. NEG Micon has been appointed to build the site.

When complete, the wind farm will produce enough electricity to power 6,500 homes.

Archive story: Sanday turbine scheme is go

The Orkney Library's archive deparment closed its doors today for their annual check of stock.

The facility will remain closed for three weeks. reopening on March 8.

Harray is the next closest, with a figure of 67 per cent, with Sandwick (22 per cent), Holm (26 per cent) and St Margaret's Hope (33 per cent) all having some way to go.

Stromness is some way away also, currently having only 141 registrations, but requiring 350.

For up-to-date registration level figures see: http://www.broadband.orkneyenterprise.co.uk