OIC convener, Councillor Stephen Hagan has asked for a meeting with Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health, over concerns with air ambulance cover in the islands.

After recent incidents, Councillor Hagan said that the island communities affected have “lost confidence” in the service and he has written the Minister asking for a follow-up to a meeting held in Kirkwall last month.

Councillor Hagan said: “We have just entered the winter period and we are starting to be reminded of the delays.  We have to get an aircraft based locally.  

“The communities affected have lost confidence in the service that is provided and I believe it is important that this matter is addressed with some urgency.  To that end I am requesting a further meeting to enable us to discuss ways of resolving this situation.”

Talisman's new "Flotta boat" was officially named at a ceremony at the oil terminal on Friday.

The Flotta Lass (pictured right leaving Kirkwall on Monday) was launched by the six pupils from the island's school, after which the youngsters sat down to lunch with guests, including the boat's builders.

Built in Norway by Måløy Verft AS, the Flotta Lass is a catamaran with a service speed of 20 knots, capable of transporting 97 passengers, with a crew of two.

The Flotta Lass replaces the Herston Lass, which will now be used as a back-up vessel after 14 years service.

Kirkwall police are appealing for information after a stone wall in Willowburn Road was damaged by a vehicle.

According to police, the damage was caused by a Ford Mondeo car around 9.30am on Wednesday. This vehicle will now have damage to the rear light cluster area, on the passenger side.

Anyone with information on the collision, or the damaged Mondeo, is asked to call 872241.

Tourism Minister Jim Mather has assured Orkney MSP Liam McArthur that the Kirkwall office of VisitOrkney would be retained.

However, he provided no guarantee that the office would not be downgraded and no assurances about its funding or future autonomy.

Mr McArthur had raised concerns in Parliament about plans to centralise the way in which tourism is managed. He highlighted the “serious concerns” in Orkney about the impact of the proposals on the local tourism industry.

He said: “Orkney is now recognised as one of the jewels in Scotland’s tourism crown.  It is vital that the centralising agenda of VisitScotland and SNP Ministers is not allowed to put that hard-earned reputation at risk.”

Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart is calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a high-risk screening programme for diabetes.

Almost 10,000 people suffer from type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the Highlands and Islands – but figures reveal there may be almost 6,000 more undiagnosed.  In Orkney, for example, the figures show over 800 diabetics, with almost 200 possibly undiagnosed.

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has welcomed the news that the Scottish Government has included continued funding for the Air Discount Scheme (ADS) in their budget.

Mr McArthur said that the Transport Minister was left in no doubt as to the importance of scheme following his visit to Orkney in the summer.

However, Mr McArthur remains concerned that the Minister was “unable to provide a reassurance that the in-year allocation for Orkney’s internal transport needs be met.”

Two emotive aspects of council planning policy  - wind energy and countryside housing  - went out to public consultation on Friday.

Orkney Islands Council wants to hear the public's views on its new draft wind energy development policy, and a revised policy on countryside housing, before Christmas.

The papers are available from the council website, with the consultation period ending on December 21.

The report on the Strynd Nursery by education inspectors was published on Wednesday.

Following an HM Inspectorate of Education assessment in May, the report highlights the Kirkwall nursery’s relationships between staff, children and parents, parental involvement and community links as key strengths.

The full report is available to download at www.hmie.gov.uk.

An 18-year-old man has been remanded in custody pending a psychiatric report, after admitting to setting fire to a caravan and threatening to stab a woman.

William James Drever, formerly residing at Caravan 9, The Crafty, Kirkwall has had his case adjourned for reports until December 5.

Appearing at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Drever admitted all of the indictment charges against him, and was warned to prepare to face a custodial sentence.

The OIC is reminding Orkney landowners of their duty to prevent the flow of water on to the county's roads.

Under Section 99 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 the owner and occupier of any land must prevent any flow of water, filth, dirt, or any other offensive matter, from their land on to the road. 

Failure to comply with this is a criminal offence.

A council spokesman said: “It is particularly important that this duty is observed during winter time, with the potential for water flowing onto a road to freeze and cause a danger to motorists.”

NFU Scotland is urging the general public to be vigilant for signs of avian influenza following an outbreak of the disease in England.

The union is highlighting the “crucial role” of the public in identifying the disease.

“Surveillance of wild fowl presents one of our best defences against bird flu getting into our domestic flock,” said a spokesman, asking that people report large numbers (ten or more) of dead wild birds Ñ especially ducks, geese, swans, gulls and waders.

Orkney College is to benefit from £135,000 of funding from the Scottish Government.

The funding is part of an extra £100 million capital funding announced last month and comes from drawdown of Scottish Government End-Year Flexibility balances held by the Treasury.

A spokesman for Orkney College said they were delighted to be receiving the funding boost - which will be used to “improve the college to the benefit of learning and teaching”.

Stromness Community Council is to invite the developers behind two controversial developments in the parish to participate in public meetings to discuss their proposals.

Members agreed on Monday night that the developers behind the Merranblo wind turbine project, Scotrenewables Ltd and Malcolm Macrae, and the proposed Midgarth housing development, Orkney Housing Association Ltd, be encouraged to participate in public meetings.

Salmon farming in Orkney is making a dramatic recovery, with production set to increase after a period of serious decline.

Production fell from a high of 10,740 tonnes in 2003 to 3,724 tonnes in 2006.

From Monday, Loganair passengers at Kirkwall airport must check-in at least 30 minutes before their flight’s departure.

Any passengers checking in less than 30 minutes will not be guaranteed carriage. The exception to this is passengers who have taken advantage of the online check in facility, which allows them to check in before they arrive at the airport.

For the Inter-island service, passengers are asked to check in 15 minutes before departure.

NorthLink is flying the flag for the Northern Isles at the influential World Travel Market in London this week, where they will launch their 2008 consumer brochure.

The event, where NorthLink have been designated space on the VisitScotland stand, sees travel companies and tourism operators brought together from all over the world.

The 2009 Group Tours preview brochure will also be launched at the show and it will be available alongside the current 2008 brochure, which is currently proving extremely popular with the trade.