Nevada
Literacy in the H.O.O.D. shifting operations to Nevada next year, encouraging donations
CLEVELAND — News 5 is Following Through by highlighting the importance of boosting children’s literacy rates across Northeast Ohio. You can join us in helping the cause by donating to our “If You Give a Child a Book” campaign.
You can scan the QR code on your screen during our newscasts or text WEWS to 50155 to help get books for children needing them.
Data shows that 66% of Cleveland residents are functionally illiterate, and in some neighborhoods, the illiteracy rate is a staggering 95%.
A Cleveland-area mom and her son have worked tirelessly since 2017 to get books in homes and the hands of area kids and families.
Their nonprofit, Literacy in the H.O.O.D., has garnered national attention and critical acclaim. But it’s now entering a new chapter and closing out another.
Chrishawndra Matthews says she’s ready for a new journey, a new story of her own.
She and her son, Derrick Smith Jr., are moving from Cleveland to Nevada next year. She has 11 months left here at home.
She says that although you won’t physically see them after that, the nonprofit will operate in a different capacity.
She says, after all, every city in America has a hood, and she’s here to “help out our disenfranchised.”
“Literacy in the H.O.O.D. is coming to a city, a state, a hood, and country near you,” Matthews told us.
Nearly 700,000 free books were handed out, and countless community events later, Matthews and her son are entering a new chapter in their lives.
“We really do just try to go out and give away as many books as we can,” Smith Jr. said. He’s the founder of Boys Do Read.
“We’ve outgrown Cleveland. So we’re gonna go and we’re gonna expand,” Matthews said.
Proudly known to many as “the book lady in the bright blue van,” Matthews says she has a much larger purpose.
She says her mobile mission isn’t stopping, and she’s not closing the book, so to speak.
It’s just going to look and feel different in the next year as she prepares for a cross-country move.
“Books will still be available in Cleveland, but we’re going to some bigger demographics, we’re going to another country, going to another hood, and we’re going to another state,” Matthews said.
She’s partnered with an organization in Japan, taking their mission internationally.
They will distribute books to overseas children who are often bullied for their reading ability.
Her son experienced it first-hand, which prompted him to start his own organization.
News 5 followed every step of his journey.
“I’m just trying to help create a safe environment for younger boys like me to share their feelings and emotions,” Smith said.
“That’s why he started Boys Do Read because he was bullied for being the only kid in kindergarten who could read. But that’s his fire under his feet,” Matthews said.
Derrick, now 13 and in eighth grade, has since created “Brothers Bonding Over Books, a monthly support meet-up.
Matthews Literacy in the H.O.O.D. is reaching new audiences and ages as well, including senior citizens who don’t have access and are on a fixed income.
“We’re going in there, we’re going to low income housing, we’re going to the rec centers, we’re going to the playgrounds,” Matthews said.
While Matthews says Cleveland will always be home, she’s eager for the next step in her giving journey.
“Children need to read! Studies show 20 minutes a day changes your life,” Matthews said.
After all—she says she’s a girl who loves a good book and loves her son more than life itself.
“I love you, baby, and I’m proud of you,” she said.
She says the work will never stop when it comes to improving literacy rates.
“Books are still gonna be available—ya know. Generally I pull up in my cute little van that Kelly Clarkson bought me, but I’m taking that to Las Vegas,” Matthews said.
Matthews stresses Literacy in the H.O.O.D. is not going away.
It’s just going to operate differently locally.
It will be more of a free pick-up and drop-off situation with free books instead of her cruising around town in her van.
She says she has multiple events planned over the next year. She plans to start a new chapter of the nonprofit in Las Vegas.
To donate to Literacy in the H.O.O.D. or contact Matthews, CLICK HERE.
Nevada
10-month-old found safe, North Las Vegas police cancel AMBER Alert
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Authorities have canceled an AMBER Alert after they say a 10-month-old child taken by a non-custodial parent was found safe.
North Las Vegas Police said Thursday that Leilani Williams (aka Leilani Duke) was taken by her father, Roderick Duke.
Duke and Leilani were last seen at an apartment complex in the area of Martin L. King Boulevard and Cheyenne Avenue at 1:40 a.m.
“An AMBER Alert has been activated due to Roderick being in emotional crisis and making threats to harm himself and 10-month-old Leilani,” NLVPD said in a statement.
By 10:05 a.m., NLVPD said that Leilani was located unharmed.
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Officers took Duke into custody without further incident, and the AMBER Alert has been canceled.
Nevada
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to Nevada Democrats in Las Vegas
California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed Nevada Democrats who packed a Las Vegas brewery Wednesday evening for a discussion about his upbringing, his political life and efforts his state has taken to combat the Trump administration agenda.
Newsom, who has been floated as a possible White House contender for 2028, sidestepped a quip from former Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak who introduced him as the next U.S. president amid cheers from the crowd.
“I’m very grateful for your friendship, and a friendship that’s only strengthened over the course of the last year or so,” Newsom told Sisolak.
Book tour stop
The event, which served as a book tour stop for the California governor, was organized by the Nevada Democratic Party. It took place at Nevada Brew Works near Summerlin.
Nevada Assemblymember Daniele Monroe-Moreno, the state party chair running for North Las Vegas mayor, moderated the discussion.
It was part of the party’s Local Brews + National Views series that’s been bringing Democrats for similar discussions at intimate venues. Past speakers have included former President Joe Biden, Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
Criticizing President Donald Trump, Newsom spoke about the immediate aftermath of the 2024 general election.
“We were handwringing, a lot of finger pointing, and a sense of weakness,” Newsom said. “And just incapable of dealing with this moment, this existential moment.”
He said he is taking account for what he described as his own complicity.
“This happened on my watch. This is all happening on our watch,” Newsom said. “And so I realized that I needed to be better.”
That included his advocacy to redraw California’s Congressional map after Trump called for the same in Texas, he said.
“They’re not screwing around, nor are we,” he said about Trump and his administration. “All of us.”
‘You’re giving us a voice’
Newsom spoke out against the surge of federal immigration enforcement operations in California and later Minnesota, calls from the Trump administration to nationalize elections, and cuts to government funding due to the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.
He said that pushback against Trump’s policies, including dozens of lawsuits filed by California, were making the president retreat on some of his proposals and policies.
“You’re filling the void, you’re giving us a voice, you’re giving us courage,” he told the crowd. “For things to change, we have to change. And it’s changing.”
The Republican National Committee reacted to Newsom’s Las Vegas visit. Earlier in the day, Newsom attended a private Boulder City event.
“Democrats are selling out to the spoiled, phony rich kid governor from California for years,” RNC spokesperson Nick Poche wrote in a statement. “President Donald Trump and Republicans are delivering major tax cuts and keeping Nevadans safe, unlike Democrats.”
The national Republican Party also criticized California’s policies, and tied them back to Nevada Democrats.
Most of Newsom’s remarks weren’t specific to Nevada. He didn’t take any questions from media.
Polling shows Newsom and Vice President JD Vance leading in hypothetical races for their parties’ nomination. That includes a survey of likely Nevada voters conducted one by Emerson College Polling in November.
Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Nevada
Second annual Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival celebrates Tahoe winter recreation at SnowFest
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – It’s time to “free your heels” and embrace Tahoe’s winter recreation at the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival on March 7. Whether you’re a seasoned pro at cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, or you’re trying to get your feet wet, Saturday’s event is teeming with nature, brews, and camaraderie.
Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) is teaming up with Nevada Nordic, Tahoe Multisport, Alibi Ale Works, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation and other local partners in the wondrous Tahoe Meadows, providing attendees a chance to engage with outdoor recreation experts, check out free cross-country and snowshoe rentals, and more.
“We’re excited to see the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival enter its second year, building on last year’s strong community response. In collaboration with our local partners, this event is thoughtfully curated with residents in mind – offering free equipment for the day, expert instruction, locally crafted brews, and other experiences in a welcoming setting,” said Andy Chapman, President and CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada. “It’s designed to make it easy for residents to get outside, try something new, and bring people together. Events like this reflect the spirit of North Lake Tahoe and what’s possible when our community comes together.”
Along with opportunities to test out free demos and rentals, there will be live music, beer tasting and races.
Tahoe Meadows is known for its gentle trails, and is a popular spot for snowshoeing due to its flat terrain. This event, located near Chickadee Ridge, will offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
This family-friendly event is on the second to last day of the 10-day SnowFest winter festival that’s been taking place in the North Lake Tahoe area. It starts bright and early at 9 a.m. and will close out at 2 p.m.
“Nevada Nordic is thrilled to be a part of SnowFest again this year,” said Meghan Pry, Nevada Nordic Board Member. “We love sharing our passion for cross-country skiing and watching our community grow. We are proud to keep winter recreation accessible by offering free access to our 20km trail network. This is the perfect opportunity for our community to gather together and free our heels!”
For more information about the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival or to check out the SnowFest schedule, visit tahoesnowfest.org.
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