Orkney’s Amy Budge was just like any other newly turned 18-year-old enjoying a night out with friends and the world at her feet.  Within days she was fighting for her life.

Thankfully medical staff were able to identify very quickly what the problem was – and incredibly it turned out that Amy was actually fighting several potentially life-threatening conditions – Diabetes Ketoacidosis, Sepsis and Glandular Fever.

Electoral Registration reminders have now been sent to all properties in Orkney who have not yet responded.

With council elections taking place in Orkney in May 2022, this is an important opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.

Orkney’s “mini” cruise season of 2021 has come to a successful conclusion, with Orkney having played host to  25 cruise ships across four locations since the resumption of the domestic industry in July.

Orkney school chef Karen Bevan is gearing up for a 1,200-mile round trip to compete at the UK-wide School Chef of the Year competition in Birmingham on October 12-13.

Not only does the Stromness Primary School chef face the ever-increasing nerves, but she must also remember to pack all the equipment she needs to compete – almost everything bar the kitchen sink and the oven!

A dedicated grant supported by sportscotland to help sportspeople in the Highlands and Islands with the costs of attending competitive and training opportunities is open again for applications from Orkney athletes.

Orkney Islands Council is reminding Westray residents their collection day for waste and recycling will change to Mondays soon, from the week starting 11 October.

A consortium of Macquarie’s Green Investment Group, TotalEnergies and Scottish developer RIDG has announced their ScotWind bid for an offshore wind project west of the Orkney Islands. The two-gigawatt proposal – named the West of Orkney Windfarm – has the potential to power more than two million homes and is currently being assessed by the Crown Estate Scotland.

This Challenge Poverty Week, Orkney’s Child Poverty Task Force is asking the community to reflect on what being poor really means to local families as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and actions we can all take to help reduce stigma and bring about change.

Orkney Islands Council is advising that work to repair flagstones on Bridge and Albert Streets in Kirkwall is progressing well, with Bridge Street and the section of Albert Street up to Laing Street now re-opened.

Orkney Islands Council will be carrying out road patching and resurfacing works across Orkney over coming months.