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

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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!”

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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.

Jason Gould

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“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.

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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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Obituary for Richard "Dick" R. Boling at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home

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Obituary for Richard "Dick" R. Boling at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home


Richard Dick R. Boling, 80 years of age, of Aurora passed away peacefully Sunday, December 22, 2024, at his residence in Aurora, Kansas. He was born on March 15, 1944, in Pueblo, Colorado to Ferdinand Bud Boling and Maxine Landis Boling. He graduated from Clyde High School in the Class



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How to Watch Chiefs vs. Steelers: NFL Week 17 TV, Odds, Preview

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How to Watch Chiefs vs. Steelers: NFL Week 17 TV, Odds, Preview


For the first time since the 2022 AFC playoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs will square off against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kansas City has a three-game winning streak over Pittsburgh, which includes the aforementioned contest in the Wild Card round of the postseason. This year, both teams have already clinched playoff berths but still have something to play for. The Chiefs, specifically, can get the best Christmas present of all by winning and locking up the one-seed and a first-round bye. A win makes them unreachable to the Buffalo Bills. The Steelers, on the other hand, are looking to maintain their division lead. They hold a conference tiebreaker over the surging Baltimore Ravens but are far from certain to keep that.

Here’s everything you need to know and how you can follow along with the Chiefs as they square off against the Steelers on Wednesday.

Game: Chiefs vs. Steelers

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Location: Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date and Time: Wednesday, December 25 at 12:00 p.m. CT

TV Channel: Netflix or KCTV local

Listen Live: WDAF (106.5 FM) Chiefs Radio Network or Tico Sports (Kansas City) for Spanish radio broadcast

Betting Line: Chiefs -3 (as of Wednesday morning)

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This contest’s television broadcast team is highlighted by Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and both J.J. Watt and Nate Burleson (color) in the commentary booth. Melanie Collins and Stacey Dales will serve as the sideline reporters for Week 17’s matchup.

For updates throughout the game and after the action has concluded, including plenty of postgame content, keep it locked in right here at Kansas City Chiefs On SI and follow us on X @ChiefsOnSI, Bluesky @chiefsonsi.com and Facebook at Chiefs Nation for additional coverage, commentary and more.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Read More: Steve Spagnuolo Assesses Christian Roland-Wallace’s Performance in Starting Debut



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Search for missing Reno County man ends, Silver Alert still in effect

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Search for missing Reno County man ends, Silver Alert still in effect


WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – After three full days of searching on land and in area waters, the search for 80-year-old Gary Foster has been put on hold.

The Reno County Sheriff’s Office said Foster’s family decided to postpone the search until after the holidays, when efforts will resume as a recovery mission.

Over the last 72 hours, crews launched a large-scale effort involving over 200 people combing a five-mile radius around where he was last seen. The Kansas Highway Patrol searched the area via aircraft, and Saline County provided a water rescue team and sonar to scan nearby ponds.

The Silver Alert for Foster remains in effect.

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