The City of Santa Rosa, N.M., faces a financial "catastrophe" after the state suddenly withheld $160,000 in gross receipts taxes in June, with an extra $240,000 reportedly withheld in the coming weeks, reported the current print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator in Santa Rosa. The state abruptly withheld the money after an undisclosed business … Continue reading Santa Rosa fiscal crisis likely will impact its bid for museum
Category: Towns
Elkhart strives to keep its “quaint” look
The State Journal-Register in Springfield, Ill., published a story today about how a volunteer project in the small town of Elkhart, Ill., keeps the town looking more attractive to Route 66 tourists -- many of which are from foreign countries. Elkhart started its 2012 Clean & Green initiative in January to keep the town clean, safe and green. … Continue reading Elkhart strives to keep its “quaint” look
Tucumcari may be back in contention for racino
The Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., again may have become a major candidate for a horse-racing and casino complex, reported KFDA-TV in Amarillo, Texas. The station's report: Color me skeptical for several reasons. --- Raton, N.M., is almost guaranteed to file a lawsuit to prevent gaming and racing licenses from being newly issued by … Continue reading Tucumcari may be back in contention for racino
Galena’s new downtown
I meant to post this a while ago, but this is what downtown Galena, Kan., and its Route 66 corridor looks like: The streetscape makeover was covered by grants, and accentuates its Route 66 heritage. Renee Charles, one of the original 4 Women on the Route in Galena, says people who hadn't been in Galena … Continue reading Galena’s new downtown
Route 66 News, catch-up edition
I've been out of town for about 10 days traveling Route 66 and more. Here are the stories from the Mother Road that broke while I was away ... --- The biggest news was the announcement that the historic Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, Calif., would undergo extensive renovations with its new owners, reported the Monrovia … Continue reading Route 66 News, catch-up edition
Volunteers repaint Paul Bunyan statue in Illinois
Volunteers from the Illinois Route 66 Association this weekend repainted the 19-foot-tall Paul Bunyan fiberglass statue on Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, Ill., reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The newspaper reported that help came from Michigan and Iowa, as well as the Land of Lincoln. “I’m impressed by what people want to do to help,” said … Continue reading Volunteers repaint Paul Bunyan statue in Illinois
Romeoville seeking grant to beautify its portion of Route 66
The village of Romeoville, Ill., is applying for a state grant to spruce up its section of Illinois Highway 53, aka Route 66, according to the Joliet Herald-News. The newspaper reported: Renovations will include landscaping upgrades to islands along the roadway along with new signage that will include a Route 66 theme. Landscaping within the … Continue reading Romeoville seeking grant to beautify its portion of Route 66
Tucumcari group commits to building Route 66 museum
A group in Tucumcari, N.M., announced today it is committed to establishing a Route 66 museum in town, according to a news release emailed by Richard Talley, owner of Motel Safari in Tucumcari. According to the release: The group is already in the process of forming its foundation, has a new website www.nmrt66museum.org, is currently finalizing … Continue reading Tucumcari group commits to building Route 66 museum
Miami seeing big boost in tourism-related revenue
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe today published a story about how towns in the region are preparing for Route 66 tourism season. One of the most striking parts of the story came out of Miami, Okla.: “We’re anticipating this to be a record travel season,” said Amanda Davis, director of the Miami (Okla.) Convention and Visitors … Continue reading Miami seeing big boost in tourism-related revenue
A tour of the original McDonald’s
Here's another recent episode of "Inland Empire Explorer," where the host gets a tour of the original McDonald's restaurant, now a McDonald's memorabilia museum on Route 66 in San Bernardino, Calif. https://youtu.be/QuvbLM1t130 The owner, Albert Okura, also owns the Juan Pollo restaurant chain and the entire Route 66 town of Amboy, Calif., where he is … Continue reading A tour of the original McDonald’s