December 20, 2016 – If all goes well and the weather cooperates, traffic on US-77 at the I-70 Interchange at Junction City will be rerouted to more accurately resemble the final configuration of the new Divergent Diamond Interchange today, Tuesday, December 20, 2016.

A diverging diamond interchange (DDI), is a type of diamond interchange in which the two directions of traffic on the non-freeway road cross to the opposite side on both sides of the bridge at the freeway. It is unusual in that it requires traffic on the freeway overpass (or underpass) to briefly drive on the opposite side of the road from what is customary for the jurisdiction.

A DDI intersection at I-435 and Front Street in Kansas City, MO. was completed in 2012 and several other DCD interchanges are being planned across the nation.

Safety benefits of a DDI are:

• Fewer conflict points (14 for DDI, 26 for conventional)
• Conflict points spread out throughout interchange
• Better sight distance at turns
• Virtually no driver confusion (FHWA study and new DDI observations in Springfield, MO)
• Traffic calming features when desired
• Wrong way entry to ramps extremely difficult
• Pedestrian crossings are shorter

Here is a diagram showing the flow of traffic through the new DDI Interchange:

Cadets from the Junction City Blue Jay Battalion JROTC honored fallen veterans during Wreaths Across America on Saturday.

The cadets braved the low temperatures and wind to participate in a ceremony at the Kansas National Veterans Cemetery and lay a wreath for every fallen soldier.

The participation by the cadets was voluntary. The Public Relations Coordinator for the JROTC Blue Jay Battalion, Michele Brown,  wrote, ” We are very proud of our cadets and the fortitude they demonstrated on this day. They could just as easily not showed up, because of weather. Instead they understood the importance of the day and wanted to honor those that have given all for the country.”

Hazardous winter weather is forecast for today and through the weekend.

Tonight expect freezing drizzle with snow accumulating on Saturday. A few hours of heavy, 1” per hour snow rates, is possible Saturday. Snow totals will likely be between 2 to 4 inches. The most likely time for the heaviest snow will be between noon and 6:00 pm. North wind gusts of up to 30 mph should cause the snow to blow around.

Dangerously cold wind chills are forecast for Saturday and Sunday. Wind chill values during the day will be between -5 and -15 degrees and will drop between -15 and -25 degrees over the weekend. Temperatures this cold could lead to frostbite of unprotected skin in about 30 minutes.

If you have to be outside this weekend for any point in time, wear the proper protective clothing – coat (layer clothing underneath), hat, gloves, scarves. Limit time spent outdoors.

Use caution when traveling or driving and make sure you have an emergency kit inside your vehicle.

Roads may be icy, driving visibility may be limited -use caution.

**Information and visuals displayed are from the National Weather Service in Topeka

The National Weather Service in Topeka has said winter weather conditions are expected Friday and Saturday in Junction City

Primary concerns are for some light freezing drizzle early Friday. Temperatures will warm above freezing for the afternoon and evening hours. Driving surfaces may be slick, use caution. Highs will be around 40 degrees. Lows in the teens.

Saturday a strong cold front moves through bringing 15 to 20 mph winds with gusts around 30 mph, wind chills will be below zero. Snow is likely, possibly mixed with freezing drizzle in the morning. Early indications suggest 1 to 2 inches of snow, higher amounts are possible. Snow may fall in bursts, making visibility and travel hazardous – the wind will exacerbate the problem. Highs will be around 20 degrees, lows below zero.

Fort Riley, Kan. (December 15, 2016) – Corvias, today, joined Fort Riley’s leadership
and Historic Main Post neighborhood to celebrate the grand opening of a new Leasing and Community Center. The Corvias team worked closely with the local Historic Preservation Office to maintain the integrity of the original structure and its exterior, while completing significant upgrades and modernization to the interior.

The celebratory event included a speech from Jim Champagne, Business Director for
Corvias, as well as remarks from Col. John Lawrence, Fort Riley Garrison Commander.

“We are excited to provide members of the Fort Riley community with a welcoming state-of the art community and leasing center to serve as a hub for the neighborhood,” said Jim
Champagne, Business Director for Corvias. “It was important to us that the historic integrity
was taken into consideration throughout the upgrade process and we hope our residents
enjoy the new amenities and changes that have been made.”

The building now boasts state-of-the-art mechanical systems, HVAC and plumbing, as well
as brand new interior finishes, furnishings and upgraded bathrooms. Amenities include
multi-purpose rooms with fully-equipped kitchens; a club room with televisions and
comfortable seating; a WiFi lounge; a poker-themed room; playrooms for children; and a
full-service fitness center with elliptical machines, treadmills, a yoga studio and fitness-on demand room.

“We have a great partnership with Corvias and were excited to come together with a vision
to repurpose one of our historic buildings to provide resources and amenities to our
residents,” said Col. Lawrence. “The new center offers our Historic Main Post residents, and
all residents, a great place to gather with exciting features that will appeal to our
community members. We hope the community will enjoy this new facility for years to
come.”

Additionally, Corvias renovated and built five hospitality suites intended for residents who
need temporary quarters due to relocation, circumstances where they are waiting for their
assigned home to become available or in the event a family is displaced from their current
home. These are two-bedroom units with a kitchen, living room and Jack and Jill style
bathroom.

In 2014, Corvias was awarded a Merit Award of Excellence from the Kansas Preservation
Alliance for its renovation of 246 historic homes on Fort Riley’s Historic Main Post. Historic
Main Post is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with homes originating from
the fort’s establishment in the 1850s to residences built through the federal government’s
New Deal programs in the 1930s.

Corvias actively manages 13 U.S. government partnerships and additional private
partnerships. In the past 12 years, the company has raised the capital needed for the
construction and redevelopment of more than 12,000 acres in communities serving more than 24,000 families. Corvias is also currently responsible for implementing more than $11
billion in maintenance and infrastructure repairs, and will reinvest $4.4 billion into its
current public sector partnerships for continuous maintenance, upgrades and redevelopment
during a 50-year span.

Note:  Complete 1420 KJCK Audio follows the story.

Major General Joseph M. Martin, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley Commanding General, spoke exclusively with 1420 KJCK Tuesday morning, live from Iraq.

Maj. Gen. Martin and the 1st Infantry Division assumed command of the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve from the 101st Airborne Division in November.

“The Iraqi security forces are in the midst of a long campaign to liberate all the cities within Iraq and right now we’re in Mosul, and Mosul’s a tough fight; just to give you perspective of just how tough this fight is – they’ve had two years to prepare their defense there, [and] Mosul has 1.5 million citizens, that’s 245,000 buildings – imagine a city that size and the daunting task of having to liberate that city from an enemy that’s been preparing for two years for your arrival – the good news is, the Iraqis continue to make progress each and every day,” said MG Martin.

Martin assumed command of the First Infantry Division on October 18th in an Assumption of Command Ceremony that doubled as a deployment ceremony. Thousands of miles from Fort Riley, Martin said he’s still checking in on the community. “I’ve been monitoring the activities from a distance, I saw what a great tree lighting ceremony we had and all the different activities we had to support the families and support the families that may not have the means to celebrate, there’s many different programs at Fort Riley to help those families so that they can have a great Christmas holiday like they deserve.”

The Fighting First are in the midst of celebrating 100 years as a Division; the official 100th anniversary celebrations are set to take place Summer 2017. Community members can look forward to seeing the Commanding General and deployed 1st Infantry Division troops in attendance.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to talk about the exact end date but I can tell you that when we all celebrate the 100th anniversary of this great Division next summer, we’ll all be back home to do that together,” said Martin.

Maj. General Martin said that deployments during the Holiday season can be difficult for both the soldiers and the families that are left behind – but the support from families and the community doesn’t go unnoticed.

“From the soldiers of the Big Red One, I would like to extend a Happy Holiday season to everybody [back there]; knowing that we’re doing what we came in the Army to do, and we’re going to continue to do this mission, but we will never forget what you do for us by supporting us from back there,” said Martin.