Two tandem cyclists on Saturday finally finished their trek of nearly 9,500 miles after an accident more than two years ago in Kingman, Arizona. Kathy Behrens and Roger Hardy of Redlands, California, were hit from behind by an SUV in October 2016 after traveling through 27 states and a part of Canada. According to the … Continue reading Cyclists finish long trek two years after accident in Kingman
Author: Ron Warnick
I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.
Route 66-themed convenience store coming to Helendale
A Route 66-themed gas station and convenience store is expected to break ground in March along National Trails Highway (aka Route 66) in Helendale, California. The Desert Dispatch in nearby Victorville had the scoop: Thomas Steeno, owner of Steeno Design Studio Inc., told the Daily Press on Friday construction plans will be sent to San … Continue reading Route 66-themed convenience store coming to Helendale
Group pulls plug on Illinois basketball museum in Pontiac
The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association announced it is ending its pursuit of a Basketball Museum of Illinois in Pontiac because it fell short on fundraising. The museum was supposed to be in a vacant Kmart building in Vermillion Square in Pontiac, next to old Route 66 on the city's southwest edge. The museum also was planned … Continue reading Group pulls plug on Illinois basketball museum in Pontiac
Rockwood Court in Springfield reopens restaurant, to become motel and apartments
The historic Rockwood Court and Cafe complex along Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, recently reopened its restaurant, and the rest of the motel complex eventually will become apartments and units for overnight guests. Joe Roberds of SGF Neighborhood News recently posted the scoop. Roberds noted activity around the property and reported: The sign outside the … Continue reading Rockwood Court in Springfield reopens restaurant, to become motel and apartments
“Cars” director John Lasseter hired by Skydance Animation
Former Pixar Animation chief John Lasseter, director of the Route 66-inspired "Cars" film in 2006, recently was hired as chief of Skydance Animation. Lasseter -- along with the film's vision of the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs -- is the figure most responsible for the Mother Road’s continued renaissance except perhaps Michael Wallis … Continue reading “Cars” director John Lasseter hired by Skydance Animation
Joshua Tree National Park closes today because of damage
Joshua Tree National Park in California, a common side trip for Route 66 travelers, will shut down today because of damage to the park and will remain closed until the government shutdown ends. The Los Angeles Times reported: Without rangers on hand, visitors created new roads by driving off pavement and defaced the park’s namesake … Continue reading Joshua Tree National Park closes today because of damage
Castaneda Hotel plans to fully reopen by June 21
Workers plan to finish a multiyear restoration of the historic Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, by spring and fully reopen it by June 21, according to a video posted Tuesday on the hotel's blog. The hotel hopes to have the south wing ready for overnight occupancy by March and will take reservations for … Continue reading Castaneda Hotel plans to fully reopen by June 21
Donations may help find new owner for Gasconade River Bridge
The Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians have gathered enough donations to help pay for an engineer's study for the bridge. Now, the nonprofit group is using the money to put together "pitch packets" for prospective new owners of the closed and endangered span near Hazelgreen, Missouri. In an article this week in the Rolla … Continue reading Donations may help find new owner for Gasconade River Bridge
“Breaking Dad” road-trip program on British TV has Route 66 stops
A new program, "Breaking Dad," on the British television channel ITV features at least one Route 66 stop and another that's a common side trip for Mother Road travelers. The program stars actor Bradley Walsh (a companion on the current "Doctor Who" series) and his 20-year-old son, Barney, who travel about 2,000 miles from Los … Continue reading “Breaking Dad” road-trip program on British TV has Route 66 stops
Congress fails to pass Route 66 bills before session ends
The 115th Congress failed to pass two Route 66-related bills into law before the legislative body's session ended Jan. 3, leaving Route 66 boosters the prospect of starting the process all over again with the new Congress. The Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act and the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act easily passed through the … Continue reading Congress fails to pass Route 66 bills before session ends