An investigation has begun into how best to upgrade the electricity connection between Orkney and the Scottish mainland.

Orkney is currently linked to the mainland by two 33,000-volt undersea cables, running from Scorradale, in Orphir, to Thurso. Renewable energy projects in the county means that Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd must provide a new connection with capacity to transport generated power from Orkney.

Stromness consultants Aquatera are to carry out land and marine-based environmental studies looking at potential options for upgrading the connection.

A motorist is to be reported to the procurator fiscal following a two-vehicle collision on the Finstown-Kirkwall road on Thursday night.

The incident involved a Fiat car and a tractor.

Discussions between Orkney Ferries and RMT union officials took place on Thursday and will continue in the near future.

A statement from Orkney Ferries chairman, Councillor John Eccles said: "The continuous overtime ban is still in place and some services may still be disrupted."

For more service information visit the Orkney Ferries website or call the 24 hour answer line on 0800 011 3648.

A person has been charged following reports of loud music in Bosquoy Road, Kirkwall, and a stereo and speakers confiscated by police.

A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.

Police are appealing for information after a cat in St Mary's, Holm, was shot and injured by an air gun.

The incident occurred between 2pm and 4pm yesterday, Wednesday,

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kirkwall police on 872241.

A Jaguar car has been damaged by another vehicle while it was parked overnight on Tuesday, at the Shore Street car park in Kirkwall.

Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact Kirkwall police on 872241.

Orkney MP, Alistair Carmichael, has secured a meeting later this month with Shipping Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, to discuss the ongoing Maritime and Coastguard Agency industrial action.

Last month Mr Carmichael called on the outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair to “knock some heads together” to resolve the dispute.

Mr Carmichael said: “The coastguards do crucial work and local people recognise the enormous value of this. I intend to leave the Minister in no doubt that unless he makes sure this dispute is sorted out, lives will be put at risk.”

Ian Hudghton MEP highlighted the importance of lifeline air links to the Highlands and Islands during a vote on air transport services in the European Parliament on Wednesday. 

The vote was on an EU proposal which seeks to simplify and improve current legislation on air transport. 

Mr Hudghton said: "Air travel should not simply be regarded as a cheap way to enjoy the sun. 

"Aviation provides vital lifeline services throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.  It is vital that the EU takes note of the specific characteristics of northern Scotland - and that lifeline routes remain protected".

The widow of Domenico Chiocchetti - the man behind the Italian Chapel - died at her home in Moena, Italy on Tuesday night, aged 87.

Maria Chiocchetti first visited Orkney in May 1964.

She returned again in June 1999 - a month after her husband's death - to attend his memorial service in the Lambholm chapel.

Domenico and Maria Chiocchetti are pictured with their family prior to their visit to Orkney in 1964.

With over 5,000 cruise liner passengers in Orkney yesterday, the county was bracing itself for one of the busiest tourism days to date.

The Grand Princess (pictured right), with a capacity of 2,600 passengers, arrived this morning and the Costa Classica, having a 1,700 capacity arriving in the afternoon.

But although Orkney did everything to ensure the visitors had the best experience possible, it raised questions once again on the sustainability of such influxes.

Scottish Sea Farms Ltd has confirmed it acquired Orkney Sea Farms Ltd at the end of June, 2007.

The purchase includes six marine sites in Orkney. Together with two freshwater production facilities in the Dumfriesshire area, the sites have an estimated annual harvestable volume of 3,000 tonnes with approximately 1.5 million smolts in fresh water sites.

A project to convert a Sandwick eyesore into a public picnic area gained the support of islands councillors this week.

Members of the community development fund sub-committee agreed to a £5,556 grant towards the £22,224 project to landscape the area known as the Strathborg quarry, off the road to the south of the Skaill loch.

The sub-committee heard that, at present, the site is being used for illegal dumping and is in a dangerous and unsightly state.

The Grainshore Training Centre in Kirkwall is to close due to a lack of funds.

Staff members were informed last Thursday after councillors at the OIC’s general meeting agreed it should close after 25 years of operation.

Orkney’s low levels of unemployment and changes to Government training programmes have led to annual budget deficits at the centre - deficits the council can no longer support, due the financial constraints facing it.

The 90th anniversary of the sinking of the British battleship HMS Vanguard was marked by a remembrance service on Monday.

The Vanguard was at anchor in Scapa Flow, just north of Flotta, when just before midnight on July 9, 1917, the battleship suddenly blew up, killing more than 800 men.

The loss of the Vanguard is believed to have been caused by an explosion in one of the two munition magazines which served the amidships turrets.

A wreath was laid over the wreck of the battleship, before a service of remembrance in Lyness.

Archive story: Research puts Vanguard loss at 843

Following completion of a £4.5 million project, the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness re-opened its doors to the public on Saturday.

A new 21st century building has been added to extend the gallery while the charm and character of the original Pier Arts Centre has been lovingly preserved during the two-year project.   

The proposed industrial action by RMT union members of Orkney Ferries Ltd has been suspended.

Union officials and Orkney Ferries Ltd held talks on Friday morning to discuss ways of averting industrial action. A joint working party will meet this week to further discuss these proposals and a decision on the next step will be made on Thursday.

The overtime ban will remain in place so some Orkney Ferry services may still be disrupted.