Joseph Chiu

Eugene

Contributor at Freelance

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Articles

How invasive species are threatening Eugene

1 week ago | dailyemerald.com | Joseph Chiu

If you take a walk through Eugene’s parks or along the Willamette River, you might notice the lush greenery — thick blackberry brambles, fields of white flowers and ponds buzzing with life. But underneath all that beauty, a quiet crisis is unfolding. Invasive plants and animals are spreading throughout Eugene’s natural spaces, pushing out native species and unraveling the ecosystems that have supported Oregon’s wildlife for centuries.
The search for security and hope

1 month ago | dailyemerald.com | Joseph Chiu

Leaves and trash blow in gusts of wind early in the morning along the streets of Eugene. The roads are empty and the city is peaceful, quiet, with no one in sight. On the sidewalk, Alika Leatherberry, 50, sits in his clothes protecting him from the weather but remains alert of his surroundings in case situations suddenly turn physical.
Eugene man sentenced to five years of probation following violent threats on Facebook

1 month ago | dailyemerald.com | Joseph Chiu

Jeffery Alan Voss, 31, was sentenced to five years of probation on April 9 for posting violent threats on Facebook and was in custody for six months prior, according to the US Department of Justice. The videos posted between Sept. 23 and 27, 2024, included two in which Voss held a firearm and in another discussing becoming “the next Kip Kinkel.” Kinkel was a school shooter who killed his parents and two people at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon, in 1998 and injured 25 others.
CAHOOTS ends services in Eugene after 35 years

1 month ago | dailyemerald.com | Joseph Chiu

CAHOOTS, which stands for Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets, is ending its services in Eugene after laying off many of its workers two weeks prior and drastic budget cuts, announced by White Bird Clinic. Service hours for the CAHOOTS and Crisis programs were set to reduce to one shift per week on April 7, but things took a turn when it was announced on the same day that its services would no longer be available in the city of Eugene.
Braewood Hills residents push back against Videra Oak Meadow development

1 month ago | dailyemerald.com | Joseph Chiu

Videra Oak Meadow, a small undeveloped property with wetland areas, is the center of a fiery dispute between residents of the Braewood Hills neighborhood in Southeast Eugene and Piculell Properties, an Arizona-based developer. The company intends to build 38 residential lots on 15 acres of the Videra Oak Meadow. Some members of the local community strongly oppose this development, claiming that the plans would encroach upon and harm the meadow’s ecosystem.
Local non-profit Neighbors Feeding Neighbors continues to serve meals without permits

1 month ago | dailyemerald.com | Joseph Chiu

Neighbors Feeding Neighbors has sought legal representation with a local attorney to defend their initiative of serving meals without permitsApril 7, 2025 The non-profit group Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, a faith-based organization, has taken constitutional legal defenses as justification for its lack of permits. The organization, formerly known as Breakfast Brigade, serves the community by providing free meals to people in need.
Greenhill and Carry It Forward call for more services for unhoused pet resources

1 month ago | dailyemerald.com | Joseph Chiu

Greenhill Humane Society and leadership from a non-profit organization, Carry it Forward, are calling for more services for unhoused people and their pets. CIF helps people experiencing homelessness with pets at their Tom Campbell Safe Sleep Site, at 175 Commons Drive, a pallet shelter for people with special needs.
Georgia Quinn’s Fight for the unhoused

1 month ago | dailyemerald.com | Joseph Chiu

The first time Georgia Quinn encountered an unhoused person was when she was six years old and living in Arkansas. She now believes what her mother said about the man, that he came from a wealthy home, was to teach her a lesson that anyone could end up in his position. Quinn has worked as White Bird Front Room volunteer coordinator since August 2023 and although she is no longer clocking in for work, she is still technically employed.
Federal funding cuts threaten nonprofits in Eugene

1 month ago | dailyemerald.com | Joseph Chiu |Stephanie Hensley

On Feb. 13, the House Budget Committee of Congress voted to look for at least $880 billion in spending cuts for programs within the House Energy and Commerce Committee, including Medicaid. Due to the congressional focus on Medicaid, nonprofits that rely on Medicaid-funded grants and contracts could face significant financial challenges. With less Medicaid funding, these grants may be reduced or eliminated, forcing nonprofits to seek alternative funding sources.
Dave’s Hot Chicken announces switch to all-vegan menu

1 month ago | dailyemerald.com | Joseph Chiu

Dave’s Hot Chicken has announced it will be shifting to an entirely vegan menu amid allegations of its chicken being too “unhealthy.”The new chicken being served at Dave’s will be made entirely of plant-based meat alternatives such as soy and tofu. The move comes amid controversy as to whether or not Dave’s chicken was providing enough nutritional value for customers. “Our decision to completely shift to a vegan approach was well thought out by myself,” Dave’s CEO Bill Phelps said.