Kansas

Chester Owens, civil rights leader, historian and Kansas City, Kansas icon, died August 22 at his KCK home

Published

1 year ago

August 23, 2024

Chester Owens, civil rights leader, historian and Kansas City, Kansas icon, died August 22 at his KCK home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chester Owens, Jr., a historic figure in Kansas City, Kansas, whose accomplishments included a prominent role in the civil rights movement, died Thursday at his home.

Owens was 91.

KSHB 41

“It is with great sorrow and a heavy heart to learn of the passing of our beloved community icon, Mr. Chester C. Owens Jr.,” KCK Mayor Tyrone Garner said in a statement Friday night. “As the sorrowful news has become known throughout Wyandotte County, all those that valued the tireless work of Mr. Owens, mourn with his family. Many are also reflecting, championing, and cherishing the profound positive advocacy of equality, peace, and love for all people that he promoted near and far. Mr. Owens will truly be missed, but his legacy of love, leadership, volunteerism, advocacy, mentoring, and commitment to community will live on forever! Sincere condolences and prayers are with his family and all those mourning his transition of life!”

Garner presented a key to the city to Owens in June at a Board of County Commissioner’s meeting.

“He lived a long, fruitful life, serving and he served well,” Karen Owens, his daughter. “We’re very thankful for all the many people who loved my dad and my mom in such a profound way. We will honor his legacy and continue to glean from his wisdom as we go on and live our lives to make he and our mother proud of us.”

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a respected historian.

The Unified Government’s Board of Commissioners also voted unanimously to put up an honorary street sign to recognize Owens and his late wife, Lillie Anne.

KSHB 41's Caroline Hogan and Chester Owens, Jr. — “I’m just starting a new journey,” Owens said. “My season here has ended and I’m ready to start a new season.”

“I was assigned to be the principal of Hawthorne Elementary School,” James White, a KCK resident, said at the time Owens was honored by the city. “Mr. Owens was one of the first community people to show up at my door. He said, ‘Mr. White, I’m gonna show you how to run the school and he did.’”

The KCK Professional Firefighters Association released a statement Friday on the passing of Owens.

“It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Chester Owens, a pillar of our community for many decades. Chester was not only a true leader in Kansas City, Kansas, but he also possessed a clear vision for what needed to be accomplished to create better neighborhoods and a stronger community. He was unwavering in his commitment to these ideals until the very last days of his life.”

Owens was KCK’s first Black councilman elected in the 20th century and helped bring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the city.

“They would have Help Wanted Colored and Help Wanted White and that’s the way that it was and I challenged that,” Owens said.

KCK spent a full weekend celebrating Owens before he was expected to move out of town with his family this summer.

“Martin Luther King Jr. said it best: ‘We can live successfully as brothers and sisters or we can die together as fools,’” Owens said. “Me and my wife tried to do that all of our life, all of our life.”

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Kansas

Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

Published

8 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A rural Kansas fire department says it saw yet another increase in calls in 2025.

On Tuesday, Butler County Fire District #3 posted data about last year on social media.

It responded to 782 alarms in 2025, which is a new record.

The majority of the calls were for rescue and emergency medical services, followed by service calls.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

The department’s data show the number of calls has been trending upward over the last 20 years.

From 2006 to 2010, the department handled an an average of 550 calls a year. From 2021 through 2025, that average was 720, a 31% increase.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

Officials said continued growth in the community has increased the demand for emergency services.

“These numbers reinforce the importance of ongoing training, staffing, equipment planning, and community support to ensure we can continue to provide timely and effective service,” the department said on Facebook.

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Kansas

Clay County Commissioner says he’s ‘done’ negotiating with Kansas City Royals

Published

20 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Clay County Commissioner says he’s ‘done’ negotiating with Kansas City Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Clay County Commissioner Jason Withington said Wednesday that he still loves baseball, but is “done” negotiating with the Royals on a new stadium for the team in the county.

According to Withington, Thursday, Jan. 8, was the deadline for the Royals to appear on the April 2026 ballot in the county.

Withington said the Royals told the county that they were not ready to meet that deadline.

Withington took to Facebook to explain that “the joy has been drained” out of him over the last few years and expressed his dislike towards the business of baseball.

He called negotiations with the team “a closed chapter” and said that the county is shifting its focus elsewhere.

“It’s time for the Commission to focus fully on priorities we control—either upgrading our existing county jail or building a new one,” Withington wrote.

The Royals’ lease at Kauffman Stadium in the Truman Sports Complex in Jackson County expires in January 2031.

KSHB 41’s political reporter Charlie Keegan reported in May 2025 on efforts by Missouri to keep both the Royals and Chiefs in Missouri.

While the Chiefs announced that they will move to a new stadium site in 2031 in Wyandotte County, the Royals have not announced their next steps to get a new ballpark built.

A stadium site near 119th Street and Nall Avenue in Overland Park has emerged as a possibility for a stadium site for the ball club.

Some residents in that area are not happy about that possibility.

KSHB 41 News reached out to the Royals for comment, but has not heard back.

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Kansas

Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time

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The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats play against the Kansas State Wildcats in a Big 12 basketball game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. CT on FS1. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.

The Arizona squad has played at a high level this season, as it enters this matchup with a 14-0 record. The team is coming off a 97-78 win against the Utah Utes.

In order to win tonight’s game, Arizona will need to rely on its forward Koa Peat. He leads the team in scoring this season, as he averages more than 14 points per game.

The Kansas State squad enters this matchup with a 9-5 record, but the team is coming off an 83-73 loss against BYU.

In order to bounce back tonight, Kansas State will need a great performance from its guard P.J. Haggerty. He averages 23 points per game, which leads the team.

Fans can watch this Big 12 basketball game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.

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