KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reported the city likely will approve enforcement measures for a minimum-wage increase approved by voters in 2012. The impetus to add teeth to the law was the Route 66 Malt Shop's refusal to comply with it last year. The owner's son also reportedly threatened an employee who blew the whistle on the restaurant's noncompliance … Continue reading Restaurant’s actions leads to Albuquerque adding teeth to minimum-wage law
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.
Wigwam Motel owner: Route 66 needs a younger, more diverse crowd
The Los Angeles Times this week posted an interesting feature about Wigwam Motel operator Kumar Patel, who is trying to attract a younger and more diverse group of customers to ensure Route 66's survival. Route 66's future demographic problems are self-evident: about 97 percent of its travelers are white, with a median age of 55. … Continue reading Wigwam Motel owner: Route 66 needs a younger, more diverse crowd
Shea’s Route 66 Museum faces uncertain future
Shea's Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Illinois, faces a cloudy future since its longtime patriarch, Bill Shea, died in 2012 at age 91, according to a story in the Springfield State Journal-Register. Another Route 66 landmark in Springfield, Joe Rogers' The Chili Den Parlor, also faces an uncertain future since a "closed for repairs" sign was posted … Continue reading Shea’s Route 66 Museum faces uncertain future
Wedding scheduled on Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
A couple from Slovakia will be married on the Missouri side of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis at noon Saturday, May 31, as part of a tour and documentary film by the Czech Route 66 Association. And there's more, according to a news release about the event: The public is invited and … Continue reading Wedding scheduled on Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
A section of old road in western Oklahoma
This is fun. Hunter Bachrach posted this video of driving on an older section of Route 66 in western Oklahoma. This likely is the section east of Erick, that used to be part of a four-lane highway. I suspect a local periodically takes a Brush Hog or snowplow to it. Every so often, it becomes … Continue reading A section of old road in western Oklahoma
New Nat King Cole collection coming June 3
A new collection of Nat King Cole hits, including "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66," along with previously unreleased material, will arrive in stores June 3, according to a news release from Universal Music. The collection, titled "The Extraordinary Nat King Cole," includes the big hits "Mona Lisa," "Unforgettable," and "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66." "Route … Continue reading New Nat King Cole collection coming June 3
Bloomington plans a Route 66, Lincoln visitors center
Amid an announcement this week that the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau and the McLean County Museum of History is joining in a partnership was this little item, courtesy of WJBC radio: The Bureau and Museum are working together on a new Abraham Lincoln and Route 66 Visitors Center. "Cruisin' with Lincoln on Route 66" … Continue reading Bloomington plans a Route 66, Lincoln visitors center
Gallup bucked the system during World War II
The Autry Museum in Los Angeles posted a few videos in recent days for its upcoming "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit. I encourage you to watch this one that features an interview with Hiroshi Miyamura, who says Gallup was the only town in New Mexico to not detain its Japanese-American residents during … Continue reading Gallup bucked the system during World War II
Bel-Aire Motel slapped with more code violations
The city of Springfield, Illinois, reported more than 700 building-code violations for the troubled Bel-Aire Motel along Route 66, reported the State Journal-Register. That's on top of the $114,000 in fines levied last year against the Florida-based landlord for nearly 400 code violations. Owner Gopal Motwani is challenging those fines in court. The violations range … Continue reading Bel-Aire Motel slapped with more code violations
Museum wants to organize tours of Joliet Prison
The City of Joliet, Illinois, hopes to strike an agreement with the Illinois Department of Corrections so the long-closed Joliet Prison can be reopened for tours, reported the Northwest Herald. The Joliet Area Historical Museum is clamoring for access of the old prison because tourists -- many of them traveling on Route 66 -- want to … Continue reading Museum wants to organize tours of Joliet Prison