Latest news with #Rue
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
B&Q launches £14 flower which stops cats from pooing in your garden
There are some easy and non-harmful ways to keep cats out of your garden if you notice your lawn is being used as a cat litter tray - and it means you won't be breaking the law either While cats are free to roam the streets and gardens it can be seriously frustrating when they decide to use your garden as a toilet. Cats typically don't tend to go in their own gardens, so instead will venture into the surrounding areas, and if you find yours is a target, there are two certain plants you can grow to ward them off. This cruelty-free trick will make sure cats steer clear of your garden and protect your plants and soil from being a litter tray. By planting a lemon balm or a lemon thyme bush, it will ensure the felines stay away thanks to the fragranced leaves. A lemon balm plant is an easy bushy perennial herb to grow as it can thrive in different conditions. It also has antiviral and antibacterial properties and the leaves release a strong lemon fragrance when they are bruised. Lemon balm's prefer sun or partial shade with well-drained and moist soil. If planted correctly, the lemon balm plant can grow rapidly, and is ideal for filling up a blank area of the garden. It's a perennial which means it will grow back every year with its impressive lemon-scented leaves, and also produces creamy-white or pale purple flowers in summer which honey bees love too. Not only will it keep cats away thanks to it's citrus scent and texture, the leaves can also be used in cooking to give a zesty taste to all kinds of salads, homemade sauces and fish dishes. It can also make a refreshing herbal tea or great in a jug of Pimms. The leaves can also act as a mosquito repellent if rubbed onto the skin. The plants can be placed in pots around the garden, or specifically in areas where cats target and you can buy it from B&Q in a 9cm pot for £13.99. Alternatively, Lemon thyme is a hardy plant that can also thrive in various conditions making it a reliable and safe plant for keen gardeners that will last for years. It produces small tubular pink or lilac flowers in early to mid-summer and is a plant that attracts bees and butterflies, but because of it's citrus scent, cats stay away from it. According to the RSPCA, cats are protected by law and are free to roam, which may result in wandering into other peoples gardens or allotments, but people can only deter them in non-harmful ways which won't cause pain or distress. Homeowners are warned that causing unnecessary suffering to a cat is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (AWA). It may also be an offence to put down snares, poison or an unlicensed deterrent. Other fragrant plants to deter cats Lavender Rosemary Rue Catnip Pennyroyal Oregano Curry plant
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Budget cuts threaten Oregon Outdoor School program as supporters prepare to rally
PORTLAND, Ore. () — More budget cuts are threatening Oregon's Outdoor School program, which provides hands-on science education to thousands of sixth graders across the state. Parents, teachers and students are planning to rally Friday at the state Capitol to urge lawmakers to restore funding. Suspect identified in Battle Ground double homicide For decades, Oregon's Outdoor Schools have offered a week-long immersive science experience that aligns with state curriculum and gives students a chance to learn outside the classroom. Kim Mair, known as 'Rue' to the students, works in the kitchen at Camp Angelos near the Sandy River as part of the Multnomah Education Service District's Outdoor School program. She said many students who attend Outdoor School have never had opportunities to experience nature or summer camp. 'We have students who never have this experience, they don't go to summer camp, their families don't go do these things, so this means a lot to them,' Mair said. Despite record participation this year, the state Legislative Fiscal Office has proposed a $12 million cut — about 20% of the program's budget. Kim Silva, executive director of Friends of Outdoor School, called the proposed reductions unacceptable. 'Budget cuts in education are not a new thing, but that doesn't mean we let them go,' Silva said. She is organizing the rally Friday morning. Many fear the cuts could reduce the program from five days to two or three, or result in the closure of some sites entirely. Bailey Cose, site supervisor at Camp Magruder in Rockaway Beach, said the cuts would impact more than just time spent outdoors. 15 years later: Kyron's 'not home, we're not done' 'It's nature immersion, relationship building, and community connection,' Cose said. 'I was shocked to hear this and very disappointed.' In 2016, Oregon voters overwhelmingly approved funding Outdoor School through state lottery dollars via Ballot Measure 99. Because the program is lottery-funded, advocates say the cuts are not justified by recent lottery revenue forecasts. The Oregon Legislature's Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to meet Friday morning. Supporters plan to rally at the Capitol in Salem to protect what they call one of the state's most meaningful educational traditions. The 2025 legislative session ends June 29th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Constructing affordable homes in Springfield
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — New affordable homes are being developed in Clark County. According to the Clark County Land Reutilization Corporation, four homes on East Liberty Street in Springfield have been designated in the Affordable Homes Program. The roughly 1,300 square-feet homes have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, as well as a front porch and driveway. Springfield Mayor Rob Rue said the new homes represent advancement for the area. 'I'm proud to see this partnership bringing hope and opportunity to Springfield families,' Rue said. 'These new homes mark more than just construction—they represent progress and stability for our community.' Although initial applications are available here, you can contact CCLRC at 937-521-2173. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
AU Financial Review
22-05-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Optus CEO focused on costs as profit rebounds
Optus chief executive Stephen Rue says he will keep a tight lid on costs to improve profit margins at the Singaporean-owned telco group, after annual earnings rebounded following last year's hefty write-downs. 'We need to manage our costs very judiciously,' Rue told The Australian Financial Review, adding Optus aimed to keep increasing its profit margins from the 27.2 per cent reported in the 12 months to March 31.
West Australian
22-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Optus rings up revenue growth as customers flock back
Optus may be starting to put the past behind it and regain the Australian public's trust after 2022's massive cybersecurity breach and a nationwide outage the following year as mobile phone customers flock back to the telco. The Singapore-owned telecommunication giant on Thursday reported it added 238,000 customers to its mobile base in the year to the end of March. The surge was led by healthy prepaid growth at mobile virtual network operator amaysim, with the number of Optus postpaid customers also increasing by 52,000. Revenue over the year hit $8.2 billion — up 1.4 per cent from a year earlier. Operating costs were flat at $6.1b. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 5.7 per cent to $2.2b and EDIT leapt 55 per cent to $446 million. Chief executive Stephen Rue — who joined Optus early last year after a decade-long stint at NBN Co, including as CEO — hailed the results but conceded Optus still had work to do to rebuild its tarnished reputation. 'Optus is committed to providing real choice for telecommunications customers as we prioritise exceptional service, competitive offers and a reliable network,'' Mr Rue said. 'Our mobile results, led by the strong performance of amaysim, show customers are responding to our commitment to offering a range of choices that suit their everyday telco and communication needs.' Sales of high-end mobile devices boosted mobile equipment revenue by 5.2 per cent, as mobile service revenue grew 4.1 per cent, with blended average revenue per user rising 2.4 per cent year-on-year. Overall mobile revenue was up 4.4 per cent. Home revenue was 3.9 per cent higher, with NBN and fixed wireless access revenue up 3.5 per cent and 9.1 per cent, respectively, mainly due to higher average revenue per user. Wholesale and enterprise and business fixed revenue fell 5.3 per cent for the second half, reflecting lower project-based satellite revenue and declining fixed revenues. Up to 10 million Optus customers were affected in September 2022 when hackers breach the telco's data defences. Just over a year later, a nationwide outage that affected internet, mobile and fixed-line services caused mass disruption across the country and forced the exit of under-fire CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin.
