A silver Vauxhall Astra was damaged whilst parked outside the Palace Dental Practice, Kirkwall, between 12.55 - 2pm on Friday, September 3. The vehicle's paintwork was scratched by a sharp object. A car was also damaged in Stromness, the Citroen vehicle was parked in the Ferry Road long stay carpark between August 4 and 6.

Northern Constabulary also reports that a quantity of tablets has been lost in Kirkwall. This medication is described as dangerous and it is requested that if the tablets are found then they should be handed into the Police.]]>
The review is part of the council's drive to provide services in ways that are more cost effective, while maintaining the required standards.

The review team hopes to have developed a number of options for savings towards the end of 2010. The council will then consult with stakeholders to seek their views on those cost saving proposals.]]> ]]> ]]> Will vulnerable be victims of cuts?

"A lot of bad things happen to people, not because workers are bad but because they are busy." John O'Brien, (leading thinker and respected writer in the field of disability).
]]> ELP and the Strangle Hold of Stuff

HAVE you heard that Orkney has the highest life expectancy in Scotland? And the best quality of life? Well, of course you have, but a bit of browsing recently informed me that both are actually and officially true.
]]> A study - but no computer

DO folk still have studies these days, or is a study now just a corner of the sitting room housing a flickering computer screen? Half a century and more ago my Kirkwall-born uncle had a most imposing study (but as he was born in School Place perhaps he was destined to become an academic!). I can remember as a peedie lass being overawed by this room - all four walls from floor to ceiling lined with books, a huge desk in the middle, and complete silence to be observed, not only in the study but in the corridor outside as well, if he was working.
]]>
The school crossing patrol on Deerness Road, Kirkwall remains closed until further notice and will be reopened as soon as staff shortages are resolved. Meantime parents are advised to encourage their children to plan their route to school using alternative crossings nearby in the Meadows, at the top of the Clay Loan or on George Street instead. Drivers are asked to take extra care near this crossing around school opening and closing times.
]]>
The original recommendation of Papdale Farm as the site where a new facility could be built was made at June's social services and housing committee meeting and passed to the land and property subcommittee. Councillors there referred it back to social services and housing over concerns about the site sharing a boundary with Aurrida House, but the committee stuck to their original decision of Papdale Farm.

The vote this morning was tied three all, but the chairman of the subcommittee Councillor James Stockan used his casting vote to approve the Papdale Farm site. He added: "This project is not necessarily going to happen, it's still got to go through the capital appraisal programme."]]>
• Kirkwall chip shop fire - owner's story, and pictures

• Big Brother winner talks politics with local youngsters

• Vandals trash Glaitness School playground toys

• Andrew H Wilson Ltd auction

• Third Orkney salmon farm snapped up

• Hope Primary 1 starters

• Livestock disease researchers visit

• Orkney's August weather statistics

• Loose Talk from Les Cowan

• Anne Cormack's Tales out of School

• Latest OIC planning decisions in full

• Shapinsay School's 40th birthday report

• Operatic society's 85th anniversary concert review

• Radio club's windy Westray weekend

• Motocross Beach Race action

All ONLY in Orkney Today this week]]>
The blog, which has attracted 140 responses so far, gives people the chance to have their say on ways for the council to achieve major savings over the next three years as it prepares for funding cuts.]]>
The Hoy Hopper timetable will change in line with the Hoy Head timetable. Passengers leaving Kirkwall Travel Centre will need to get on the Service bus number 2 at 9:20am, which connects with the ferry at Houton leaving at 10:15am and arriving in Lyness at 10:50am.

On Hoy, the bus will leave Longhope at 9:30am and arrive at Moaness at 10:10am to meet ferry heading to Graemsay. The bus will leave Moaness at 10.10am (ie it will not be able to wait for the ferry arriving at 10.30am) arriving in Lyness at 10:40am to meet the ferry coming in from Houton.

The timetable will continue as scheduled returning to Lyness at 15:05pm. The bus will not return to Moaness in the afternoon. Passengers can visit the Lyness museum and/or cemetery before catching the 16:40pm ferry back connecting with the 17:35pm bus from Houton to Kirkwall.

The cost of the Hoy Hopper has been reduced to £15 to compensate for the shorter day on Hoy.]]>
Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council issued a joint statement following a meeting with the Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson which took place on the issue in Edinburgh on Monday.]]>
The seven-day festival - which features speakers from around the world - opened on Thursday. Pushing back the boundaries will be a theme of this year's festival, which highlights the role of science as exploration of the unknown.

Further details and reviews of the festival will be in Orkney Today on Thursday.
]]>
Testing of the water in the previously affected area has confirmed that it is safe to drink and customers no longer need to boil their water. The provisional result from Thursday has not been confirmed by Friday's test.]]>
Kirkwall-based chartered architect Leslie Burgher won the 'new life for old' category for converting the late 19th century store building in the centre of the car park next to the Albert Hotel into a comfortable and practical office building, named Covingtrie House, for Clark Thomson Insurance Brokers.]]>
The panel took the view that the provision of new pharmaceutical services was necessary to ensure adequate provision of services in the neighbourhood.

NHS Orkney is now negotiating a contract with Norsepharm Ltd and the pharmacy is expected to open in the next few months.
]]>
Kirkwall Police would like to hear from anyone who may know anything about who stole these items or where they may be, Tel: 872241.
]]>