Julie Cornell

1 month ago | ketv.com | Julie Cornell

A Malcolm, Nebraska man recently published a book about his extraordinary life. It’s a book about faith, perseverance, and hard work after a brain injury. It’s Derek Ruth’s comeback story. The book is called, “The Eight-Minute Flight,” which reflects the time the 12-year-old spent on a medical helicopter, rushing him to a Lincoln hospital after the injury. “Derek’s number one message is faith. That book screams faith. Derek screams faith,” said Jeniffer Ruth, Derek’s mother.

1 month ago | ketv.com | Julie Cornell

You don’t have to be a millionaire to be a philanthropist. A group of Omaha young professionals is quietly pooling their money to have the greatest impact when it comes to charitable giving. In a downtown café on Omaha’s Farnam Street, Latisha Roth recently made croutons for the hundreds of salads they serve at Table Grace Café. Roth is finding her way back to the workforce after her life was sidelined by addiction and homelessness. “They really help set you up for success.

2 months ago | ketv.com | Julie Cornell

A small non-profit in West Omaha is making a big impact on the lives of children and families. And one small part of their mission is to clothe children in care. They have a Care Closet which is set up much like a store, except everything is free. “We will help really anyone that God brings to our door: Immigrant families, refugee families, families that are really struggling,” said Kim Cunningham, who runs the Care Closet.

2 months ago | ketv.com | Julie Cornell

A Lincoln animal rescue and rehab organization is hoping a family of owls in Lincoln will adopt a new owlet, placed in their nest by human helpers. A young great horned owl was rescued a few weeks ago, after blizzard force winds knocked down the nesting tree in the Omaha-Lincoln area. The owl’s family did not survive. “They are much more successful in the wild, if they have wild parents,” said Annie Piersol, volunteer coordinator and Vice President of the Raptor Conservation Alliance.

2 months ago | ketv.com | Julie Cornell

She smiles and speaks with an upbeat tone as she guides a class of young dancers through the movements of dance class in Elkhorn, Nebraska. “I just love the kids,” said dance instructor, Bailey VerMaas. Just a few years ago, Bailey was tip-toeing a fine line, struggling just to survive. “A lot of the behaviors I was engaging in, no one really knew about,” said the 20-year-old college student and dance instructor.