— Located in the rolling hills of eastern Kansas - just west of Kansas City - is Tonganoxie It's a small city but some say it has a big impact on the city's weather - The Tonganoxie Split coined that and it had something to do with the weather patterns how they approach here and then veer off in another direction," Mike Emery told me The people I spoke to in Tonganoxie - including Mike - seemed split on the idea but it seems like it happens an awful lot," Zink said Stories in local publications over the last few years have dismissed the idea with one saying there is "no science to back it up." I've found that's not an unpopular opinion among local experts "I've been to a lot of weather seminars and everything and they all say the Tonganoxie Split doesn't exist," storm chaster Mark Randel told me an atmospheric sciences professor at the University of Kansas "If you were to calculate statistics from all of the storms over many many years I don't believe it would show a meaningful splitting effect tied to Tonganoxie," Mechem said Rivers and mountains don't stop storms or tornadoes so why would anyone think a small town of 6,000 could stop a squall line approaching Kansas City I've been following this issue for a while She says something like the Tonganoxie Split is possible and you will not have that organized over the city," Fan told me including in a well-known study about splitting storms in Indianapolis Louis in the 1970s also showed a splitting effect He's a professor emeritus at San Jose State University ”It really is the physical presence of the buildings that causes a barrier effect that causes the flow to bifurcate around the city," Bornstein told me "As the storms approach they get caught up in that bifurcated flow and they also split because of internal mechanisms inside the thunderstorm." Squall lines stay together by balancing inflowing warm air and the backside cool temperatures creating an imbalance or lack of lift to sustain the storm That disruption seems to begin near Tonganoxie But it's not just Tonganoxie that is causing the effect rather it's all the buildings that make up the Kansas City metropolitan area the city will actually initiate a thunderstorm right over the city and give you a maximum right over the city," Bornstein says "When you have a cloudy day and a weak urban heat island the storm bifurcates and goes around the city.” If this phenomenon can happen in cities all over the country Kansas City is about the same in areal extent and population," Bornstein says We might have even had a split just a few weeks ago in March and until we study these storms in Kansas City we can't say with certainty the Tonganoxie Split is real Maybe that former weatherman - Dan Henry - was on to something Report a typo Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInTONGANOXIE (KCTV) - A head-on crash along I-70 south of Tonganoxie left one man dead and two others to recover in area hospitals with serious injuries The Kansas Highway Patrol indicates that around 8:30 a.m emergency crews were called to an area of I-70 between the Lawrence service area and the Tonganoxie exit had been driving a 2025 Honda Civic eastbound on the interstate had been driving a 2023 Mercedes-Benz van west on I-70 Investigators indicated that for an unknown reason Jimenez veered off the left side of the roadway and into the median where the Civic hit two drain tubes and continued into the westbound lanes of I-70 The Honda then crossed both lanes of the interstate and hit the van Brown was driving head-on State Troopers said the impact caused the Honda to flip over into the southern ditch while the van spun and slid into the ditch where it hit a slight embankment and flipped onto the driver’s side Emergency crews indicated that Shane Greiner, 28, of Kansas City, Kansas, a passenger in the van, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Jimenez was taken to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka with life-threatening injuries. Brown was taken to Overland Park Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries as well Investigators noted that everyone involved was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash Tonganoxie police officers take a person into custody Wednesday Charges have been filed in Leavenworth County District Court against a 61-yearold spa employee on one count of selling sexual relations The count involves alleged selling and promoting of sexual favors for hire A Tonganoxie spa employee faces one count of selling sexual relations for allegedly selling and promoting sexual favors for hire Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson announced Friday that his office filed the charge in Leavenworth County District Court The 61-year-old employee of Golden Spa Massage is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks according to a release from Thompson’s office Tonganoxie Police Chief Greg Lawson said his department conducted a search warrant Wednesday but said he couldn’t give specifics on the case He said last week that one person was arrested as a result of the warrant and that the case had been submitted to the county Thompson then announced charges had been filed in the alleged sex-for-money case Tonganoxie USD 464 school buildings also were put under lockdown temporarily last Wednesday as the police conducted their search Lawson said that lockdown was standard procedure “We didn’t want anyone hurt or anyone walking inadvertently to the business district,” Lawson explained The school in closest proximity to the district Lawson also said his department had been investigating alleged activity in that area since “the latter part of 2024.” Lawrence police also were on the scene last Wednesday assisting Tonganoxie police The employee’s first court appearance is Feb A new report from Bird Safe KC gives a peek into one of the top challenges that birds must navigate during their .. boat ramps and other facilities in at least 30 locations at federal lakes and .. Health care providers in Sedgwick County are preparing for the potential return of measles to the area for the .. Copyright © The Mirror | www.tonganoxiemirror.com | P.O Better Together is partnering with West Haven Baptist Church to host a community job fair from 10 a.m The community job fair is part of Better Together’s “Better Jobs” program which has helped 40,000 applicants connect with employment opportunities across 24 states two-thirds of attendees get a job interview and 1 in 4 receive a job offer on the spot The April 24 job fair will take place at West Haven Baptist Church Job seekers can register at BetterTogetherUS.org/Events/Tonganoxie-JF/ or by texting “JOBS” to 844-987-3949 Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLEAVENWORTH COUNTY (KWCH) - Update from the KBI: The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office reported to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) that Donald Mueller The statewide silver alert is now canceled The Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a statewide Silver Alert for a 94-year-old Tonganoxie man reported missing which issued the alert at the request of the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office “is likely driving a dark green 2016 Nissan Frontier pickup bearing Vermont tag 515A791.” The KBI said Mueller could be headed toward Basehor The 94-year-old man is described as standing about 5′8 and weighing about 200 pounds The KBI said he was last seen wearing a red blue and green long-sleeve button-down shirt Elevating concern is that Mueller has a heart condition and “several other medical conditions that may impact his ability to return home safely without assistance,” the KBI reported Anyone who sees Mueller should immediately call 911 If you have other information about his whereabouts please call the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office at 913-682-5724,” the KBI advised — A former Tonganoxie police officer was stripped of his peace officer certification this month following an investigation into traffic stops he made in December 2023 The Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training revoked the certification of Anthony Reyes who had worked at the Tonganoxie Police Department between March 2021 and January 2024 In its filing made public this month commissioners say Reyes was participating in a voluntary department effort that involved officers who were issuing a warning for a traffic infraction to also distribute a gift card The gift cards were donated to TPD by a Kansas City-area radio station As part of the guidelines for the initiative officers were told their participation was voluntary and commissioners found that Reyes initially declined Other provisions of the effort required that the traffic stop be captured on body cameras worn by officers to help the department conduct audits During the department’s review of his gift card distribution they discovered that Reyes had “stopped” an employee of a convenience store that Reyes frequented The stop occurred in the back of the store’s parking lot Footage revealed Reyes never activated his lights The employee’s car wasn’t running and the employee appeared to be outside of her vehicle The employee told Reyes the keys to the car and her license were both inside the business The body camera footage captured a store co-worker telling Reyes “You could have at least turned the lights on.” The investigation revealed that Reyes had made stops and given gift cards to two other store employees who were his friends they alleged he was dishonest in that Reyes said he was ordered by the police chief to give away three gift cards despite knowing the program was voluntary The commission found that Reyes “engaged in unprofessional conduct when he initiated traffic stops involving vehicles driven by friends and giving them donated gift cards” and by providing a false statement in the commission’s investigation Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward Tonganoxie softball went 1-2 at a tournament at Shawnee Mission The Chieftains moved to 10-7 on the season after the tourney Tonganoxie jumped back into Frontier League play Tuesday against Baldwin (9-4 overall and 2-2 in Frontier League play) after The Mirror’s print deadline The game was supposed to be played at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds but soggy conditions forced a move to Kansas City Community College The THS squad will then have a week off before facing Ottawa (9-5 and 2-1) at home this coming Tuesday Tonganoxie is back on the road May 8 at Piper (6-6) (KCTV) - A statewide Silver Alert has been canceled for a missing Tonganoxie man after he was found safe and in good condition The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office requested the alert be issued after 94-year-old Donald E KBI said Mueller is 5-foot-8 and weighs around 200 pounds Mueller was believed to have been heading from his home in Tonganoxie KBI officials asked people to call 911 immediately Tonganoxie Community Historical Society Museum Tonganoxie Community Historical Society is registering students for its 2025 history camp This year’s theme is Searching for Freedom in Bleeding Kansas The camp will be 9 a.m.-noon June 2-6 and is open to youths entering grades 4-6 in August email TCHSTonganoxie@gmail.com or call 913-845-2960 — The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office reported to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation Thursday that a 94-year-old man from Tonganoxie has been located Authorities said Donald Mueller is in good condition Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInOVERLAND PARK (KCTV) - A Tonganoxie truck driver lost his life after he hit a bridge with his semi and flipped across the median of an Overland Park highway The Kansas Highway Patrol indicates that around 7:20 a.m emergency crews were called to the area of northbound Highway 69 and 207th St had been driving a 2005 Peterbilt semi-truck north on the highway when he veered to the right for an unknown reason and struck the bridge rail over 207th St Investigators noted that the impact caused the semi to ricochet in the other direction back across the highway and into the median The truck came to a rest as it faced east in the southbound lanes The truck’s water tank remained in the median Emergency crews indicated that Merrell was pronounced deceased at the scene while his passenger was taken to Overland Park Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries State Troopers said everyone involved in the crash had been wearing a seatbelt at the time A fuel spill from the truck prompted a HAZMAT crew No other vehicles were involved in the crash Tonganoxie United Methodist Church gathered to celebrate Easter this past weekend but the congregation didn’t meet at its space on Fourth Street That area has been a construction zone the last few months The community got to take a view of progress Wednesday Thursday and Friday during open houses at the church with a new handicapped-accessible ramp in front of the church to a northwest access That work has led to additional access to a longstanding bell The entrance way will come out farther to create a plaza and as motorists and pedestrians can see passing by the raised shrub bed in front of the church has been removed to provide more outdoor space Matthew Wilke was on hand to provide visitors a tour of the space “I think that this church is an amazing legacy,” Wilke said “And the last 5 years post-COVID there was a big transition from a younger generation What kind of church are we passing down to future generations And also serve the needs of vulnerable people Examples of that are the Americans with Disabilities Act improvements and outreach initiatives “We want to make it a community center dedicated to downtown,” Wilke said including a new door to the sanctuary near the altar and an upgraded elevator The congregation normally has been meeting inside the USD 464 Administrative Center near the Tonganoxie Recreation Commission Center while construction continues but celebrated Sunday at the Tonganoxie Performing Arts Center for Easter Renovations are expected to be completed sometime later this month An annexation of roughly 82 acres of land between U.S Highway 24-40 and 222nd Street west of Tonganoxie Business Park came one step closer to reality Monday night after months of back and forth on a resolution with road right-of-way being at the crux of the Leavenworth County Commission’s concerns The topic now goes back to the county for consideration Resident asks for speed-limit reduction in residential area Neil Bralley spoke to the City Council during public comment about speed-limit concerns in a residential area He noted that Sycamore Street in a residential area had a 30 mph limit while Fourth and Main streets had 20 mph limits “I think good judgment should prevail and be closer to 20 mph,” Bralley said about Sycamore Street City Manager George Bratkovic said typically speed limits are tied to ordinances with residential being 30 mph and historic downtowns Some speed limits have changed in the past due to residential petitions special-event permit and public firework display permit applications for a second annual military show and World War II re-enactment event June 21 the 2025 Tonganoxie Days funding request of $7,500 • Approved a bid for sanitary sewer main television inspection services for the 2025 program The council approved a low bid from Ace Pipe Cleaning for $692.80 The other bid was from Hydro Klean for $900 Tonganoxie had several track team members compete this past week at the Tonganoxie Invitational and the Kansas Relays Reece Schmidt won the 200 on the girls side at the Tonganoxie Invitational with a time of 27.57 seconds while Tucker McGuire won gold on the boys side in the discus with a throw of 145 feet such as Ashlyn Bruce and Reece Schmidt going 2-3 in the 100 and the girls 4×100 meter team taking third (52.09 seconds) Kara Johnson took third in three races: the 100 (13.4) the boys distance medley relay team of Parker Welsh Jett Gilmore and Solomon Carter placed 12th (10:47.93) while Adalyn Schooler placed 20th in the discus for the girls (115-4) Next up for THS is the Eudora Invitational at 4 p.m Tonganoxie High softball will take a four-game winning streak into the Shawnee Mission North Tournament this weekend THS (9-5 overall and 2-3 in Frontier League play) will compete Friday and Saturday at the Shawnee Mission District Softball Complex Other teams slated to be there are SM North Tonganoxie High School will have its prom Saturday This year’s event again will be at Deer Ridge Estate at the venue and then have after prom at the same space into the morning hours surrounded by her loved ones after a two-year battle with bile duct cancer Diane touched the lives of everyone she met Diane graduated from Kenmore West High School in 1974 and attended Buffalo State University where she also volunteered with the Special Olympics on April Fool’s Day in 1982 in Kansas City they raised three children and created a loving home filled with laughter and cherished memories A dedicated member of the Tonganoxie community Diane volunteered at the Tonganoxie Elementary School Volunteer Center for 20 years helping to organize programs such as Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) She served on the Tonganoxie School Board from 2006 to 2015 and was board president from 2009 to 2011 Diane’s commitment to education and her passion for helping children shaped many lives Her enthusiasm for her children’s activities was unmatched She loved capturing these moments on film and enjoyed volunteering for field trips and team dinners Diane spent many years leading Vacation Bible School sharing her faith and nurturing the spiritual growth of countless children Her kindness and gentle spirit left a lasting impact on her community Diane cherished her childhood home of Buffalo She frequently traveled back to Buffalo to spend time with her beloved family Memorial donations in Diane’s name can be made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation A celebration of her life will be held at Tonganoxie United Methodist Church on Sunday The event will also be livestreamed on the Tonganoxie United Methodist Church’s YouTube page for those unable to attend Tonganoxie High girls soccer team members gather after defeating Chanute Tonganoxie High girls soccer is at home today against Paola THS enters the match at 3-5-1 after dropping a Frontier League road match Tuesday at Spring Hill (5-4 overall and 3-0 in Frontier League play) The Chieftains were coming off a 3-0 league victory this past Thursday at Ottawa (1-4 and 0-3) Tonganoxie has eclipsed a population of 5,500 The next official county will come with the 2020 U.S County Road Brewing opened this past weekend and will have its grand opening 11 a.m The brewery and restaurant will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m Doors will close early at the brewery Thursday due to a private event that evening County Road Brewing can be found on Facebook and on the web at countyroadbrewing.com Cedar Hills Mall was bustling Saturday morning for its grand opening Suite A in Tonganoxie was packed with customers and then the crowd filed outside for a ribbon-cutting ceremony More than 50 vendors have their wares inside the mall which has been transformed from what once was the city maintenance shop Vendors from Cedar Hills Mall gather with the store’s staff and Mayor David Frese (second from right) for a ribbon-cutting Saturday morning Tonganoxie Mayor David Frese was at the ribbon cutting and spoke about how it was hard to imagine crews at one time working on snow plows inside the building that now is home to crafts Frese joined owner Angie Faherty and assistant manager Karla Nuckolls as well as Tonganoxie Business Association representatives Joanna Eibes and Raquel Hamman for the ribbon cutting It was a busy day Saturday in Tonganoxie despite some chilly weather It also was the annual spring citywide garage sale Sweet Freedom Bakery had a soft opening Friday and Saturday at 307 Ridge St. The bakery formerly was Shana Cakes in Topeka and then Wetmore It serves gluten-free and other allergy-free baked goods and is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m Pickups also are available daily by request Look for a feature on that business in the coming weeks as well in The Mirror Bernice Gergick and Donna Higbee volunteered last week to help students in Debbie Wedel’s kindergarten class at Tonganoxie Elementary School make sugar Easter ducks Members of the Mirror staff were presented Saturday with nine first-place awards in the Kansas Press Association’s annual Awards of Excellence contest “I can’t tell you how pleased I am that our staff was recognized for all of the hard work and dedication they have shown since September,” said Caroline Trowbridge Debi Hatfield wouldn’t mind if Tonganoxie became known as a speed trap among truckers traveling in northeastern Kansas Hatfield has quietly campaigned with elected and appointed city officials to enforce the speed limits along U.S Members of Tonganoxie Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9271 sponsored an essay contest for eighth graders who took first place; Harold Putthoff; Arty Miller; Bob Klinkenberg; and Wilbur Henson was found shot twice in the chest by Tonganoxie Police in her home Monday afternoon after they had responded to a call for help from a neighbor Beth had been playing outside the Scott house when she heard a scream She went to the window and saw a man choking her mother She ran towards the Flewelling house and was met by Mrs Before they could reach the Flewelling house to call for help Flewelling saw a car go by from the Scott house was last seen headed west on Fourth Street The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are investigating Sheriff Dan Hawes said they have no suspects nor any motive Indications point to the incident occurring suddenly and unexpectedly was at work in Kansas City and her seven-year-old son Scott was the Sunday School Superintendent at the Christian Church and volunteered at the Tonganoxie Public Library Jeffrey Allen Hooker was killed in front of his home when struck by a pick-up truck Jeffrey was playing with friends across the street from his home and was coming back to his house to get some toys and failed to see the oncoming truck The boy then rode into the eastbound lane and was struck by William G Jeffrey was a kindergarten student at Basehor Charles Lohman was not surprised last week while surveying his farm just outside of Jarbalo when he discovered one of his cows had given birth to a heifer About eight hours later another heifer had been born when Lohman returned again about eight hours later he discovered still another heifer three-fourths Charolais and one-fourth Angus and weighing about 50 pound each are the first he has ever heard of to be born to beef cattle It’s Spring and with it has come the scourge of cankerworms on our elm trees There was a discussion at our latest city meeting and some options were brought forward but the safety of the bee population was brought forward as a caution One resident suggested that all elm trees be cut down and others planted in their place A spraying company will be contacted and advice from Kansas State will be taken into account so the public will need to be included in this decision an annual event where we can all pitch in to help plant flowers and pick up trash and paper on the streets we could have the cleanest town we’ve had in years [Editor’s note-Tonganoxie High School has an annual clean up where students help around the community at residences and businesses The 1950 Ford “Station Wagon” is available at J.C all steel with wood panels and your pick of V-8 or 6 Yonally’s Bakery recommends to the modern housewife to shop their store for the best choices “Buy it Baked” is becoming the slogan of the nation Tuesday of this week was the opening day of the Orange and Green Tea Room service at the Myers Hotel for the Orange and Green Bus Line whose advertisement will be seen on the first page of this paper Every high school in the State of Kansas was allowed to enter Into this meet the Tonganoxie High School entered Although our boys were outclassed by older and more experienced track men some of them made a very good showing in the lines in which they entered The boys that entered from our High School were as follows: Sowers and Sechrest in the mile; Turner and Blackwell in the half mile; Blackwell and Jarrett in the shot put; Jarett and Wiley in the high jump; Wiley in the broad jump; Jarrett in the high hurdles; Caldwell in the fifty yard dash Caldwell and Wiley in the one-hundred yard dash; Caldwell in the two-hundred twenty yard dash Last Saturday 89 students assembled at the Tonganoxie school building to take the county examination 42 of them taking work to finish and qualify to enter High School next year The following number of papers were handed in for each respective subject: 69 booklets in Reading; 67 in Geography; 46 in Arithmetic; 51 in Kansas History; 48 in Physiology; 40 in Civil Government and 67 in Classics Next Saturday the examinations will be completed at which time the questions on Spelling United States History and Agriculture will be given Floyd Brown of the Tonganoxie grade school district No 28 were in charge of the examination at this place An exciting runaway occurred on Fourth street Saturday afternoon A shaft on John Moore’s buggy broke and the horse got scared and started eastward The horse ran into a box car on the Northwestern siding and had to stop Gustav Schoenau is proud of the new lot of books at the library He is taking excellent care of the room and invites the young men particularly to spend their leisure moments in the room The second examination of applicants for common school diplomas will be held April 20 and 21 at the following places: Easton Pupils may take all or any part of this examination An average of 80 with not less than 60 in any branch is required for graduation made on former examination will be carried over–provided that in computing averages for scholarships grades made previous to this year will not be considered Every pupil taking this examination or any part of it must pay a fee of 25 cents – those who took the first examination not excepted Teachers will conduct the examination at the points named Tonganoxie’s second citywide garage sale of the year will be here in a few weeks The sale day has been earmarked for June 7 There are no requirements to register for sales the city started having the citywide sales the first Saturday in April and then the first Saturday in June Some residents start putting items out earlier in the week for multiple-day sales National FFA Week officially started Saturday and concludes this coming Saturday but the winter storm that blew in Monday night and is likely staying a few days has thrown a wrench in Tonganoxie FFA plans for the celebration at the Tonganoxie High School commons area Tuesday was supposed to be Farmers’ Day Off as students were supposed to wear pajamas to school and pick up doughnuts before school Today was supposed to be Thank the Farmers and Bring Your Tractor to School Day boots and plaid and drive tractors to school but those festivities have been moved to this coming Tuesday (Feb This Thursday still will be Down on the Farm Day as students will dress like favorite farm animals but the FFA Open House and Auction slated to start at 5 p.m at the Tonganoxie High School commons area.[/caption] Friday is FFA Friday and FFA students are to wear blue and gold or their FFA shirts Students also will attend the Western Farm Show at the American Royal if weather permits and those doughnuts students were supposed to enjoy Tuesday will be served up Friday Tonganoxie High School will shine as a beacon of inclusion and opportunity on Saturday as it hosts a multi-faceted Special Olympics Kansas Unified Champion Schools event featuring four programs: the Unified Soccer Tournament Young Athletes Festival and Cool School Plunge The event kicks off with opening ceremonies at 8:45 a.m will be on hand for the opening ceremonies This all-day celebration is expected to bring together hundreds of students and community members from across eastern Kansas At the heart of the day’s events are the Unified Soccer and Unified Esports Tournaments where students with and without intellectual disabilities will compete side-by-side as teammates The Unified Soccer Tournament will start at 9 a.m and the Unified Esports Tournament will start at 1:30 p.m The day also features the Young Athletes Fest introducing children ages 2-7 to the world of inclusive play through engaging activities designed to build motor skills and social connection in a fun Rounding out the celebration is the Cool School Plunge on the east side of Chieftain Arena where students and staff take a dip into chilly waters to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Kansas Tonganoxie students were recognized for their Patriots Pen and Voices of Democracy essays during a celebration Jan The local VFW chapter also recognized teachers and first responders at the annual dinner The national essay contests are sponsored by VFW The Patriots Pen is a written essay contest for middle school youths while Voice of Democracy is an audio essay at the high school level Eighth-grader Owen Murray won first place in the Patriots Pen essay while sixth-grader Alexander Templeton and eighth-grader Julia DeGraff won second and third First responders of the year are Tonganoxie police Cpl Joel Young Tonganoxie City firefighter Alexis McNeill Honorable mention were eighth-graders Joselyn Saldivar and Amaiya Washington and sxith-grader Chase Wiehe Sophomore Katherine Carter won the Voice of Democracy contest at THS Senior Anna Heskett placed second and freshman Aaliyah Schulenberg third Tonganoxie eighth-grader Owen Murray won first place in the Patriots Pen essay