You no doubt heard about the mass shooting Wednesday in the Route 66 town of San Bernardino, California, that left 14 people dead and 17 injured. The suspected shooters, an apparent husband-and-wife team, were slain during a confrontation with police later Wednesday. Initial reports of a third assailant never were confirmed. The best coverage I've seen … Continue reading San Bernardino mass shooting
Category: Towns
Official: Edwardsville missing Route 66 opportunities
Edwardsville, Illinois, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the St. Louis metropolitan region. That didn't stop a local official from saying the city was missing an opportunity for Route 66 tourism. Historic Preservation Commission associate member Cindy Reinhardt talked about those missed opportunities in front of the Edwardsville City Council, according to the Daily Intellgencer: … Continue reading Official: Edwardsville missing Route 66 opportunities
Restoration of Phelps schoolhouse nearly finished
The restoration of the one-room schoolhouse in the Route 66 hamlet of Phelps, Missouri, marked a milestone Friday by reinstalling the bell tower and bell on the century-old building, reported the Joplin Globe. The nonprofit Phelps School Community Center started its efforts about a year ago to restore the dilapidated but cherished building, which sits … Continue reading Restoration of Phelps schoolhouse nearly finished
Amarillo’s Route 66 district honors police officers
The Sixth Street Merchants Association in Amarillo, Texas, last week has added blue ribbons along its Route 66 signs to show support to the city's police department, according to several media reports. According to KFDA-TV: Along with the sign decor, the association also presented Chief of Police Robert Taylor with a plaque of appreciation. "We've … Continue reading Amarillo’s Route 66 district honors police officers
Arizona fee increase may jeopardize Winslow projects
A twentyfold increase in administration fees by the Arizona Department of Transportation may threaten Renaissance on Route 66 projects planned by the city of Winslow, according to the Arizona Journal. Winslow city councilors discussed the problem this week. Renaissance projects include beautifying and improving safety on Route 66 through town and a performance plaza at the Standin' on a Corner … Continue reading Arizona fee increase may jeopardize Winslow projects
Grocery finally opens Crystal City Shopping Center
The opening of a grocery store may not seem like a big deal. But it is a very big deal if the area's previous grocery stored more than 20 years ago. That was the situation this week when a Save-A-Lot opened in the Crystal City Shopping Center along Route 66 in Tulsa's Red Fork neighborhood, according … Continue reading Grocery finally opens Crystal City Shopping Center
Bloomington ponies up big dough for Route 66 museum
The McLean County Museum of History in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, this week received $250,000 donation spread over five years for a capital campaign for the museum, which includes a new and prominent Cruisin' with Lincoln on Route 66 visitors center, reported WJBC radio. “It’ll go to some very significant upgrades using digital technology, as well … Continue reading Bloomington ponies up big dough for Route 66 museum
Double-homicide in Tucumcari finally gets resolution
A double-homicide in a motel room along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, in 2011 finally reached a sort of conclusion when the suspect pleaded no-contest to second-degree murder Tuesday. According to the Quay County Sun newspaper, Muziwokuthula Madonda, a native of South Africa, shot to death Tucumcari residents Gabriel Baca, 37, and Bobby Gonzales, … Continue reading Double-homicide in Tucumcari finally gets resolution
“How to Make Your Community a Route 66 Destination Hot Spot”
By Emily Priddy Pontiac, Illinois, was struggling in 2008. The nearby Vermilion River overflowed its banks in January. A local prison closed. And the country had fallen into a recession. A year later, about 150 muralists known as the Walldogs gave the community a much-needed boost, Pontiac tourism director Ellie Alexander said during a panel … Continue reading “How to Make Your Community a Route 66 Destination Hot Spot”
DVD review: “Exit Zero”
The new 26-minute film "Exit Zero" doesn't so much explore the history of the Route 66 ghost town that straddles the Texas-New Mexico border as give an atmospheric look of what's there now and glimpses of what was there before. Here's the trailer for the film: https://youtu.be/0ClyUztE_FM Like Unoccupied Route 66's previous film about the deserted Painted Desert … Continue reading DVD review: “Exit Zero”