Aurora honors late comedian Ken Flores with street dedication
AURORA, Ill. - The City of Aurora honored stand-up comedian Ken Flores, who died suddenly last month at the age of 28, with a street dedication.
Flores, who grew up on Aurora's East Side, died suddenly on Jan. 28 of congestive heart failure at the age of 28, according to the city.
What we know
More than 150 people gathered in Aurora on Saturday to honor Flores with an honorary street sign marking the block of his childhood home on Spicebush Lane and Fifth Avenue.
Flores was a 2014 graduate of East Aurora High School and became a familiar face on the Los Angeles stand-up scene.
He regularly performed at comedy clubs like Hollywood's Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, The Haha and Hollywood Improv.
What they're saying
During Saturday's ceremony, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin also formally proclaimed June 10 as Ken Flores Day in Aurora, to highlight the comedian's birthday and "remember his contagious humor and lasting impact," the city said.
"This is what Ken would want. He would want us to laugh and have a good time. I know he's in heaving smiling down," said best friend Cristian Arriaga in a statement.
What's next
The City of Aurora said plans were already underway for a citywide celebration on June 10 to further honor Flores.
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When asked by one of her followers if she was ready to be attached, she said, "Let's just say it's gonna take someone really special for me to give up sleeping diagonal on my massive king sized bed – and it hasn't happened yet." View this post on Instagram A post shared by JEAN DANKER (@jeandanker) Danker also encouraged women and advised them not to beat themselves up for having "any kind of feelings" towards divorce, "whether it's embarrassment or otherwise". She added, "It's scariest just before you do it and even if you leap crying, and fly through the air screaming in fear, you're gonna land on solid ground, I promise you. Be brave." Ong, 54, and Danker were married for eight years before splitting in December 2024. The couple didn't have any children together. For more on Jean Danker's dating life, read here.
Los Angeles Times
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Huntington Beach High celebrates its 119th graduating class
Jessica Flores was a dedicated member of the Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts, multi-sport scholar athlete and more. But more than individual accomplishments, the Huntington Beach High Class of 2025 graduate recognized the power of the Oilers family in more tangible ways. 'I've come to realize that everyone has their own story,' Flores said Wednesday during her student speech at the Huntington Beach High commencement ceremony. 'We all go through hardships and successes. I personally lost someone very important to me one year ago, my dad, and it was by the love from teachers and friends on this campus and God who helped carry me through it.' Huntington Beach celebrated its graduating seniors during the ceremony at 'Cap' Sheue Field, with 686 seniors turning their tassels as part of the school's 119th graduating class. Flores gave her senior speech as a duet with Kai Wong. Another talented senior, Laurel Brookhyser, sang the national anthem. Earlier this year, Brookhyser was named Miss Fountain Valley Teen. Huntington Beach ASB President Emma Trepina served as the master of ceremonies. Four members of the APA Music, Media and Entertainment Technology (MMET) program — Storm Anderson, Owen Mitchell, Jake Young and Talan Carthey — entertained their fellow graduates and the crowd with a rendition of Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing.' Huntington Beach Principal Brenna Orr echoed Flores' thoughts about relying on each other for strength, presenting the class for graduation to be accepted by district Board of Trustees member Duane Dishno. — Daily Pilot Staff
