Kansas
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.
Jason Gould
“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.”
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — An interchange in Wichita is the most stressful off-ramp in Kansas, according to the results of a new poll.
The poll, by personal injury law firm Regan Zambri Long, asked 3,011 drivers across the United States what off-ramps are the most stressful.
Based on their results, Interstate 135 Exit 5B to Kellogg Avenue took the top spot in Kansas.
The poll said traffic often slows down at this interchange because it is where two major routes meet. Exiting vehicles have to merge and prepare for nearby exits on Kellogg, making speeds fluctuate.
Second place was Interstate 70 Exit 356 to Wanamaker Road in Topeka, and the third-most stressful off-ramp is Interstate 35 Exit 220 to 119th Street in Overland Park.
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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Jalisco Restaurant has been a staple in the Kansas City, Kansas, community since 1965. But after 61 years, the restaurant is closing its doors.
A sign posted on the restaurant at North 50th Street and State Avenue on Monday said:
Jalisco Restaurant will permanently close at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, May 30, 2026. Thank you for your patronage. Remember us, we will never forget you. The Hernandez Family.
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Jalisco Restaurant in Kansas City, Kansas, is closing its doors on May 30, 2026, after 61 years. (FOX4 Photo/Brian Dulle) -
Jalisco Restaurant in Kansas City, Kansas, is closing its doors on May 30, 2026, after 61 years. (FOX4 Photo/Brian Dulle)
Erika Dominguez, an employee at Jalisco’s, told FOX4 that one of their cooks, who has been there for more than 40 years, is retiring. One of the other cooks is 90, and has been with the family since the beginning.
“The family is getting older, and it is time,” she added.
“Our wall tells the story of generations of families and Jalisco’s little angels, babies who grew up coming through our doors,” Dominguez said in a social media post earlier this year.
The Hernandez family also owned another Jalisco’s Restaurant location in KCK’s Argentine neighborhood for 48 years. That location closed in 2012. They also owned a location in Mission, Kansas, years ago.
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Jalisco Restaurant location in Kansas City, Kansas’ Argentine neighborhood. This location closed in 2012. (FOX4 Photo/Brian Dulle)
Dominguez said the building at North 50th Street and State Avenue is for sale, and there’s also been talk about the family leasing it – but nothing is in the works at this time.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A child is dead after being struck by an Amazon delivery vehicle Monday night in Kansas City.
The Kansas City Police Department responded to the incident just before 6:30 p.m. in the area of East Missouri Avenue and Lexington Avenue in Kansas City’s Historic Northeast neighborhood.
Preliminary investigation indicates that a marked Amazon delivery vehicle had just completed a package delivery in the area. Police said after the delivery, the driver of the vehicle began traveling westbound on East 3rd Terrace toward Woodland Avenue.
Police said at the same time, a child, under the age of 5, was playing in a grassy area of a nearby public park. The child entered the roadway and was struck by the Amazon delivery vehicle.
The Amazon driver initially stopped at the scene but left before officers arrived, according to police.
Police said a family member attempted to follow the Amazon vehicle and inform the driver of what had happened. The driver denied involvement and left the area.
The child was pronounced dead as a result of the injuries, according to police.
Kansas City police said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
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