New members join Tonganoxie City Council | News, Sports, Jobs

Shawn F. Linenberger

The new Tonganoxie City Council stands together after swearing-in ceremonies Monday at the Council’s regular meeting. New members Matthew Wilke, far left, and Rebecca Skeet-Grube, second from right, were sworn in at the meeting, along with incumbent Loralee Stevens, third from right, who started her third term Monday. Other members, from left above, are Jennifer McCutchen, Mayor David Frese and Jake Dale (far right).

Tonganoxie City Council ushered in a new era with the swearing in of members Monday during a regular meeting at City Council Chambers.

New members Rebecca Skeet-Grube and the Rev. Matthew Wilke and incumbent Loralee Stevens all were sworn in at the beginning of the meeting.

The three members’ four-year terms started Monday and will run until January 2030. All three seats will be decided during the 2029 election cycle.

Stevens, who is a Tonganoxie High School alum, is embarking on her third term on the council.

Skeet-Grube is a fellow THS alum. She was born and raised in Tonganoxie and she and her husband have called the town home since 2009.

“We raised our kids here and just built our forever home — because we truly believe there’s no better place to grow, connect and put down roots,” Skeet-Grube said.

She has worked in project management since 2013 and currently serves as director of the IT Project and Change Management Office at the University of Kansas.

Wilke and his wife, Jennifer, moved to Tonganoxie in July 2020 after serving at a Methodist affiliates school and children’s home in a rural village in Tanzania, East Africa.

He was born in Salina, but grew up in Derby. Wilke went to college in the Chicago metro area at North Central College. He said he felt a call to serve in ministry and studied in Jerusalem in preparation for seminary.

Wilke attended seminary in Washington, D.C., at Wesley Theological. While there, he served as an associate pastor at a prominent and historic Black church a few blocks from the White House.

“After meeting my wife, we wanted to serve overseas, but unfortunately had to return to the U.S. when Covid shut things down,” Wilke said.

The pastor recalled that the day they landed, he received a call about a church in Tonganoxie. “My first response was, ‘Tonga what?’ but we felt like it was a sign that it was where God was calling us,” Wilke said.

The couple proceeded to drive to Tonganoxie from the East Coast.

“Since living in Tongie, we have found an amazing home in this community,” he said.

The couple has a son, Jonah, who is 3, and just announced that they are expecting a second child.

As far as his ministry career, Wilke noted that the Tonganoxie United Methodist Church purchased 304 Venue in 2021 and started Grounded Coffeehouse in 2022. He became president of the Tongaoxie Ministerial Alliance in 2023. TUMC did its church renovation in 2025 after a year of visioning.

“I ran for City Council to serve our community with good values and to work to make a difference and I hope to bring people together around Ideas that serve everyone in Tonganoxie,” Wilke said.

Council approves snow removal equipment purchase

Tonganoxie City Council approved the purchase of snow removal equipment at Monday’s regular meeting.

The purchase is planned as part of the 2026 expenditure budget in the general fund. The equipment is a snow pusher attachment for the 621G loader which is utilized during snow events to remove the snow from the downtown area and various parking lots meeting.

Members approved an Arctic HD-11 from VLP for $17,603. There was a second bid for an HD 11.5 with coupler for $17,627 from American Equipment Company.