An unspecified "large cat" seriously injured the owner of the Keepers of the Wild exotic-animal sanctuary along Route 66 north of Kingman, Arizona. The Lake Havasu News-Herald reports the founder of the sanctuary, Jonathan Kraft, was flown to a Las Vegas hospital for emergency treatment after he was attacked by one of those animals. According … Continue reading Big cat mauls Keepers of the Wild owner
Category: People
Kingman’s vice mayor donates salary to Jim Hinckley’s Route 66 marketing efforts
The vice mayor of Kingman, Arizona, recently announced he is donating his salary for Jim Hinckley's promotional and marketing efforts of Route 66 in the region. Hinckley stated in an email the donation is worth $7,200 a year, and Vice Mayor Travis Lingenfelter will continue those contributions until he leaves office. "I am honored, humbled, … Continue reading Kingman’s vice mayor donates salary to Jim Hinckley’s Route 66 marketing efforts
Roy Rogers’ ranch in Victorville put up for sale
A ranch off Route 66 in Victorville, California, owned by western star Roy Rogers and his wife, Dale Evans, recently was put on the market for $3.7 million. The Double R Bar Ranch property at 14433 Roy Rogers Ranch Road, first flagged in a story by the Los Angeles Times, is being brokered by Murray … Continue reading Roy Rogers’ ranch in Victorville put up for sale
Scott Piotrowski’s “158 Miles to Yesterday” now on YouTube
Scott Piotrowski recently uploaded a 20-minute documentary from 1998, "158 Miles to Yesterday," that he directed and produced. The film, shot in 16 mm film and uploaded from the VHS tape, examines the longest unbroken stretch of original Route 66 from in Arizona, from about Crookton Road to Topock. Now over 20 years old, the … Continue reading Scott Piotrowski’s “158 Miles to Yesterday” now on YouTube
Joplin Hall of Fame athlete, restaurateur Gary “Cat” Johnson dies
Gary "Cat" Johnson, a former pro basketball player who returned to his hometown of Joplin, Missouri, to briefly open a Southern-cooking restaurant on Route 66, died Tuesday. He was 59. A friend of Cat Johnson's Taste of the South page on Facebook posted this message late Tuesday: According to the Joplin Globe, Johnson led Memorial … Continue reading Joplin Hall of Fame athlete, restaurateur Gary “Cat” Johnson dies
Buddhist monk walking much of Route 66
If you're in the western half of Route 66 and see what appears to be a orange-clad Buddhist monk walking on the side of the road, it probably because it is a Buddhist monk. The Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff caught up with Sutham Nateetong when he was in town last week. The Thai Buddhist … Continue reading Buddhist monk walking much of Route 66
“Almost Ghosts” documentary to premiere in U.S. in Arizona next month
The "Almost Ghosts" Route 66 documentary will have its U.S. premiere next month at the 28th Arizona International Film Festival. "Almost Ghosts," a film from Spain directed by Ana Ramon Rubio, will be screened at 6 p.m. April 18 at The Screening Room in Tucson, Arizona. It is an official selection of international documentaries in … Continue reading “Almost Ghosts” documentary to premiere in U.S. in Arizona next month
Hal Blaine, drummer on dozens of hit records, dies at 90
Hal Blaine, a member of the Los Angeles-based Wrecking Crew of studio musicians who played drums on thousands of songs during the 1960s and '70s, died Monday. He was 90. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member played on albums by Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, the … Continue reading Hal Blaine, drummer on dozens of hit records, dies at 90
The sad saga of the Western Scene Motel of Santa Fe
The Western Scene Motel, formerly the Western Holiday Motel, in Santa Fe likely would be struggling because of the motel's age and a glut of lodging in New Mexico's capital city. But as the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper describes it, the motel faces an even cloudier future because of a feud between two sects … Continue reading The sad saga of the Western Scene Motel of Santa Fe
Public TV station profiles writer Michael Wallis
RSU Public TV, based at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma, recently completed this 25-minute profile in its "Perspective" series about author, actor and speaker Michael Wallis. Wallis remains best-known for two things -- writing the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" that sparked the renaissance of the historic highway and providing the voice of … Continue reading Public TV station profiles writer Michael Wallis