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Images by Star photographers capture a momentous year in Kansas City

On one July afternoon, oppressive heat and humidity made life outdoors in Kansas City a miserable affair, but for nine-year-old Anna Claire, middle, it was all about fun in the sun with her her fellow campmates from Grace United Church in Northeast K.C. As the mercury pushed into the upper 90’s and the heat index climbed to 110 degrees, the group cooled off at Concourse fountain in George Kessler Park.
On one July afternoon, oppressive heat and humidity made life outdoors in Kansas City a miserable affair, but for nine-year-old Anna Claire, middle, it was all about fun in the sun with her her fellow campmates from Grace United Church in Northeast K.C. As the mercury pushed into the upper 90’s and the heat index climbed to 110 degrees, the group cooled off at Concourse fountain in George Kessler Park. Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com

The year 2021 was memorable for many reasons many would just soon forget.

The year could be mistaken for a repeat of 2020, a year dominated by a pandemic, political strife, economic woes, racial injustices and, in Kansas City, a successful football team. For fans of the Kansas City Chiefs, 2021 may top 2020 for years to forget due to the Chiefs’ brutal Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay.

There were moments in the year that provided reason to believe that the arc of 2021 leaned toward justice . Kevin Strickland was set free after spending 42 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. In another moment of the year, a Kansas City police officer was held accountable for the unjustified shooting of Cameron Lamb.

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This story was originally published December 30, 2021 at 8:06 PM.

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The Kansas City Star
Visuals Editor Chris Ochsner leads The Star’s talented staff of photojournalists and video producers. He’s had his hand in directing visuals coverage since 2002. Ochsner led the visuals team in its coverage of four Super Bowls and two World Series.
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