Hobby Lobby sued after banning employee's service dog

OLATHE, Kan. — The U.S. government sued Hobby Lobby, claiming the popular chain violated federal law when it refused to allow an Olathe employee to use her service dog.

The lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also claims Hobby Lobby then fired the employee due to her disabilities.

According to the lawsuit, the employee notified her manager that she needed to bring her fully trained service dog to work. The dog is trained to help her with symptoms caused by PTSD, anxiety and depression.

Information provided by the EEOC shows the company’s human resources representative met with the employee to discuss her request but concluded the dog would present a safety concern. Hobby Lobby said a coworker or customer might be allergic to the dog, or trip over it. There was also concern that the dog could break something, according to the lawsuit.

The EEOC said Hobby Lobby fired the worker when she was unable to work without her service dog.

Court documents show Hobby Lobby does allow customers to bring service dogs and other dogs into the Olathe location.

The EEOC said the allegations violate the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination based on a person’s disability.

The lawsuit seeks back pay, compensatory and punitive damages and reinstatement for the employee, as well as injunctive relief to prevent future discrimina­tion.

The EEOC said it tried to reach a pre-trial settlement for the employee, but was unable to do so.

FOX4 contacted Hobby Lobby for comment Friday morning. This story will be updated after the company responds to our request.

Nissan recalling over 300,000 Pathfinders due to risk of 'hood opening while driving'

(NEXSTAR) – Nissan is recalling hundreds of thousands of Pathfinder SUVs after identifying an “issue involving the hood opening while driving,” the automaker says.

The recall affects approximately 322,671 Pathfinder vehicles from 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 model years. Nissan estimated that roughly 0.44% of the vehicles contain the defect.

Nissan alerted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the issue on June 13, announcing intentions to begin a voluntary recall. The automaker warned of an increased risk of crash should the hood open while Pathfinder drivers are operating the vehicles.

“The bell crank assembly lever, which actuates the secondary lock lever, may become stuck thereby preventing the secondary lock from properly engaging the secondary hood catch,” Nissan said. “If the driver inadvertently releases the primary hood latch or the hood is not closed properly, and if the bell crank lever is stuck in the open position, the hood may open without warning while the vehicle is in motion.  In such cases, it could obstruct the driver’s forward view and may increase the risk of crash.”

Beginning next month, Nissan plans to recall notifications containing instructions for customers to “check the condition of the bell crank” of their vehicles, as well as options for servicing the cars.

A remedy for the issue is under development, according to the automaker.

Consumers can find more information concerning the recall via the NHTSA or at NissanUSA.com. Drivers with concerns may also reach out via the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline by dialing 1-888-327-4236.

CVS, Walmart limiting morning-after pill purchases

(NEXSTAR) — Several major pharmacies are imposing purchase limits on emergency contraception — also known as “morning-after pills” — after a surge in demand following last week’s overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Both CVS and Rite Aid confirmed three-per-customer purchase limits to NBC News on Tuesday morning. Limits include Plan B One-Step and Aftera, which are brand-name products for the drug Levonorgestrel. CVS told NBC it has “ample supply” of the medications but that the company wants to ensure “equitable access” and a consistent supply.

Meanwhile, Walmart is limiting emergency contraception medication purchases to 4-6 per-customer, Wall Street Journal explains. Walmart is, however, offering some unlimited purchases, but only on pills that don’t ship until next month.

Walgreens isn’t currently limiting purchases, though the company says home delivery isn’t available at this time due to demand.

Doctors and pharmacies urge that emergency contraception is not intended for regular use. Plan B and similar brands are not abortion-inducing drugs and are intended to prevent ovulation if taken with 72 hours of unprotected sex.

Federal Trade Commission sues Walmart for allowing hundreds of millions in fraudulent transfers

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — On June 28, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued Walmart for allowing its money transfer services to be used by fraudsters who fleeced consumers out of hundreds of millions of dollars.

According to a press release, the FTC lawsuit alleges that for years, the Bentonville-based retailer “turned a blind eye while scammers took advantage of its failure to properly secure the money transfer services offered at Walmart stores.” The complaint adds that the company “did not properly train its employees, failed to warn customers, and used procedures that allowed fraudsters to cash out at its stores.”

The FTC is asking the court to order Walmart to return money to consumers and to impose civil penalties for Walmart’s violations.

“While scammers used its money transfer services to make off with cash, Walmart looked the other way and pocketed millions in fees,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Consumers have lost hundreds of millions, and the Commission is holding Walmart accountable for letting fraudsters fleece its customers.”

In addition to its retail business, Walmart offers financial services to consumers in its stores, including money transfers, credit cards, reloadable debit cards, check cashing, bill payments and more. Walmart acts as an agent for multiple money transfer services, including MoneyGram, Ria and Western Union, offering some services under its own brand, like “Walmart2Walmart” and “Walmart2World.”

According to the complaint, tens of millions of money transfers are sent or received at Walmart stores each year, where they are processed by Walmart employees. Money transfers are services that people use to send money to a recipient in another location.

According to the FTC, they are “frequently used by fraudsters across a wide variety of scams” because they are nearly impossible to retrieve after the money has been picked up. The FTC has brought multiple cases against money transfer services in recent years, including against MoneyGram and Western Union, alleging they failed to protect consumers who used their services.

Walmart’s practice of “turning a blind eye to fraud had grave consequences for consumers,” according to the complaint. The complaint cites numerous instances in which law enforcement investigations found that scammers relied on Walmart money transfers as a primary way to receive payments, including in telemarketing schemes like IRS impersonation schemes, relative-in-need “grandparent” scams, sweepstakes scams, and others.

Based on information from fraud databases maintained by MoneyGram, Western Union, and Ria, from 2013 to 2018 more than $197 million in payments that were the subject of fraud complaints were sent or received at Walmart, with more than $1.3 billion in related payments also possibly connected to the fraud. The FTC’s investigation of Walmart’s money transfer practices showed, according to the complaint, that Walmart knew about the role money transfer services play in scams and frauds.

Walmart Corporate issued a statement in response to the complaint.

A narrowly divided Federal Trade Commission brought this factually flawed and legally baseless civil lawsuit after the Chair refused Walmart the due process of hearing directly from the company, and even the Justice Department refused to take this case to court. Claiming an unprecedented expansion of the FTC’s authority, the agency seeks to blame Walmart for fraud that the agency already attributed to another company while that company was under the federal government’s direct supervision. Walmart will defend the company’s robust anti-fraud efforts that have helped protect countless consumers, all while Walmart has driven down prices and saved consumers an estimated $6 billion in money transfer fees.

Walmart Corporate statement regarding FTC complaint

The FTC filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

'Sight to behold': Cross remains standing after fire at Texas church

BRIDGEPORT, Texas (WXIN) – It stood tall among the smoking debris surrounding it.

A cross was all that remained of Balsora Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Texas, after a fire swept through the building Friday, leading to a response from a dozen area agencies.

The Boonesville-Balsora Volunteer Fire Department described the church fire as a “devastating loss” to the community but noted that the cross was a “sight to behold.”

“A symbol that the building was just that, a building. The Church is the congregation, and where 2 or more gather, there he shall be also,” the department wrote in a Facebook post, alluding to Matthew 18:20.

The roof began to collapse while firefighters were still inside, and several firefighters were treated at the scene. Extreme temperatures taxed resources and available manpower, the department said.

There were no other injuries reported, according to the fire department, and no one was inside when crews entered the church.

Photo via Lake Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department/Facebook

The Facebook post featured an image taken by the Lake Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department of the cross standing among the destroyed remnants of the church building.

“The cross reminds us all to stand tall!” the Lake Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department wrote on its page. “It remains standing in all of its glory, while its background is nothing but ash and debris. Simple reminder how precious life is and how quickly it can turn.”

The fire didn’t stop the congregation from worshipping over the weekend. The church gathered for prayer Sunday morning.

Investigators said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Dog food sold at Target, Walmart recalled due to potential salmonella contamination

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Freshpet is recalling dog food sold at retailers in 12 states and Puerto Rico due to potential salmonella contamination.

The recall concerns 4.5-pound bags of Freshpet Select Fresh From the Kitchen dog food — specifically the “Home Cooked Chicken Recipe” variety — that have a “sell by” date of Oct. 29, 2022, according to a recall notice issued by Freshpet Inc., and shared by the Food and Drug Administration.

The impacted dog food may have been sold at some Walmart locations in Alabama and Georgia, along with Target locations and other stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Puerto Rico, according to the announcement.

The recall notice warns of a risk to both people and their pets. Children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable when handling products contaminated with salmonella, the notice states.

Freshpet Inc. said it had not received any reports of “illness, injury, or adverse reaction” as a result of the potential contamination.

Those who may be infected with salmonella should contact a doctor or care provider if experiencing any of the following symptoms:

(Freshpet, Inc./FDA)
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal cramping
  • fever

Infected persons may also experience bloody stools or signs of dehydration, among more serious symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dogs with salmonella infections may experience diarrhea, fever, vomiting or signs of being lethargic, the recall notice added. Dogs with salmonella can also infect other animals or people.

Anyone who has fed the recalled product to a pet that later showed symptoms of salmonella poisoning is urged to contact a veterinarian.

Those in possession of the recalled dog food are being instructed to discard the product.

“No other Freshpet products or lot codes are impacted by this recall,” the company stated.

Concerned customers can contact Freshpet at the company’s website or call 1.800.285.0563.

Massive heat dome to bring extra-hot weather to nearly every state

(NEXSTAR) – Chances are if you’re reading this, it’s going to be hot where you live this week.

Meteorologists are warning a heat dome will park itself over parts of the country, pushing temperatures into the 90s and 100s for many cities. More than 100 high temperature records could be broken this week in cities around the U.S., CNN reports.

The National Weather Service posted a forecast map to Twitter Sunday that shows nearly every corner of the country covered in shades of orange and red, indicating high probabilities of above-normal temperatures. “Colors we have not seen for awhile,” the agency said.

A map shows the temperature forecast for June 25 through June 29, 2022. (Photo: National Weather Service)

The only pockets of the contiguous United States not expected to swelter later this week were parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Montana and North Dakota.

The heat dome was mostly affecting the upper Midwest Monday; the National Weather Service issued Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories for all of Minnesota, as well as much of neighboring states, putting millions on alert for dangerously high temperatures.

Minneapolis was forecast to reach 100 Monday with a heat index of 107 – conditions so hot they were threatening to buckle roads, the Minnesota Department of Transportation warned. Fargo, North Dakota – a city known for its frigid, snowy winters – was set to reach 98 Monday.

The heat is expected to move south Tuesday, according to Accuweather, to the Midwest, South and Southeast. Accuweather’s meteorologists say it will be so hot and humid in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Tuesday, it’ll feel as hot as 110 degrees.

By Wednesday, Accuweather predicts even more of the Southeast to be mired in hot, muggy weather.

New Orleans, which already broke a daily high record over the weekend, is forecast to reach 100 degrees by the end of the week. Mobile, Alabama is set to reach 103, as is Austin, Texas.

The National Weather Service’s two-week outlook shows the high heat could stick around all the way up until the Fourth of July holiday.

The agency warns this much sustained heat can be dangerous for your health. If your area is experiencing extreme temperatures, the Weather Service advises you to seek out air conditioning, stay hydrated and stay out of the sun as much as possible.

Number of Americans who believe in God dips to new low: Gallup

(The Hill) — Belief in God among U.S. adults has reached a new low, according to Gallup poll results released Friday.

A large majority (81 percent) of Americans say they believe in God, based on the poll conducted May 2-22, but that number has dipped 6 points from a consistent 87 percent from 2013 to 2017.

Over 90 percent of Americans said they believed in God from 1944 to 2011, the number stabilizing at a high of 98 percent from 1944 through the 1960s.

About 17 percent of American adults told Gallup that they do not believe in God, while the remaining 2 percent said they were unsure.

The Gallup Values and Beliefs poll found that the decrease in theism has been driven by young adults and those on the political left. Both groups’ belief in God has dropped by 10 percent or more compared to the 2013-2017 average for their demographics.

These groups are also those least likely to say they believe in God in comparison to other demographics.

Liberals (62 percent), young adults (68 percent) and Democrats (72 percent) gave significantly lower rates of belief in God, while conservatives (94 percent) and Republicans (92 percent) gave the highest.

The least change in belief has occurred among conservatives and married adults.

The Gallup poll marks a notable change in belief in God, although a sizable majority of Americans still say they have faith.

However, recent polls show that while high rates of theism remain with only a modest decline, traditional religious structures are declining faster, according to Gallup.

Gallup has found that Americans are much less likely to attend church, become members of a church or rate themselves as confident in organized religion than to simply believe in God’s existence.

Route 66 attractions state by state

Main Street of America: Route 66 attractions state by state

For anyone who thrives on nostalgia, driving the 2,448 miles of Route 66 is a must. The iconic highway has inspired road trips, songs, and animated movie characters since construction on the “Main Street of America” was approved in 1926, back when gas cost less than a quarter a gallon. In “The Grapes of Wrath,” John Steinbeck dubbed Route 66 the “Mother Road;” a place where migrants came together as a community. Nat King Cole recorded “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66” in 1946—and more than a half-century later, Tow Mater from the 2006 animated film “Cars” was inspired by a rusty tow truck in Galena, Kansas.

After the Great Depression, families looking for a better life could make their way west, driving their way across eight states starting in Chicago and ending in Los Angeles. Mom-and-pop shops, service stations, and motels popped up along the route. Travelers can still visit the Old Riverton Store in Riverton, Kansas, grab a root beer at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman, Arizona, or spend the night at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

U.S. Highway 66 was realigned several times until 1985 when it was decommissioned and replaced with interstates. Modern roadways may have made sections of Route 66 irrelevant, but about 80% of the winding road still exists. Many of the historic sites along the route have been restored, and Congress voted in 2018 to designate the roadway a National Historic Trail.

Stacker compiled a list of 50 attractions—state by state—to see along the drive, drawing on information from historic sites, news stories, Roadside America, and the National Park Service. Keep reading to discover where travelers can get their kicks on Route 66. 

Grant Park (Chicago)

Many choose to begin a Route 66 journey at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park—Chicago’s oldest—before heading west. To find the original “Historic 66 Begin” sign, travelers can head to the southern side of Adams Street and look west toward Wabash Avenue. The “End Historic Route 66” sign can be found at the intersection of Jackson and Michigan avenues.

Mural City (Pontiac, Illinois)

There are 23 murals in Pontiac, including the Route 66 shield on the back of the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. Roadtrippers can grab a mural guide at the museum or follow the red painted footprints for a walking tour.

Lauterbach Giant (Springfield, Illinois)

The Lauterbach Giant is a giant fiberglass statue towering over the parking lot of Lauterbach Auto Service in Springfield. The “muffler man” has been around since 1978. He used to hold a tire but now clutches an American flag. In 2006, his head had to be replaced when a tornado took it off.

Chain of Rocks Bridge (Madison, Illinois)

The Chain of Rocks Bridge, constructed in 1929, sits 60 feet above the Mississippi River and links Madison with St. Louis. The mile-long historic structure is popular with motorists and cyclists. The bridge got its name from a 17-mile series of rocky rapids called the Chain of Rocks that made the river difficult to navigate, which is why the Corps of Engineers built a dam to cover them in the 1960s. The bridge cost $2.5 million to erect, which was twice the original estimate at the time.

World’s Largest Catsup Bottle (Collinsville, Illinois)

Drivers can find the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle a little south of downtown Collinsville. The 170-foot-tall historic water tower was completed in 1949 for the Brooks Foods plant, which is no longer open. If it didn’t have water in it, it could hold 640,000 bottles worth of catsup (or ketchup, as the tomato-based condiment is commonly called today).

Henry’s Rabbit Ranch (Staunton, Illinois)

Drivers will have to get out of their car to fully enjoy the fuzzy friends at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, though appointments are necessary to get a complete tour. Visitors can also get a glimpse of VW Rabbits and pick up some Route 66 gifts and memorabilia.

Old Log Cabin (Pontiac, Illinois)

Drivers can get their day started at the Old Log Cabin restaurant in Pontiac with some freshly made eggs and hashbrowns. This quaint spot originally opened in 1926 as a roadside lunchroom and gas station. The owners now serve customers from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day but Sunday. Locals love the cheeseburgers, homemade coconut cream, and rhubarb pie.

(Former) World’s Largest Rocking Chair (Cuba, Missouri)

The World’s Largest Rocking Chair (its actual name) may have only been created to break the Guinness World Record for the largest rocking chair. Nevertheless, the Fanning Outpost decided it made a great roadside attraction. The 42-foot-tall steel rocker had to be able to move back and forth to break the world record in 2008, but it has since been secured in place. The rocker was the largest in the world until 2015, when a 56.5-foot-tall chair was built in Casey, Illinois.

66 Drive-In Theatre (Carthage, Missouri)

Most of the drive-in theaters in the U.S. have vanished since their heyday of the 1950s. The 66 Drive-In Theatre is one of only around 325 drive-ins remaining in the U.S. The theater is open from early April through mid-September each year.

Route 66 State Park (Eureka, Missouri)

The Route 66 State Park visitor center is located at the former Bridgehead Inn, built in 1935, and offers plenty on the iconic highway’s history. The park also offers nature trails and picnic sites where road-weary travelers can stretch their legs or have a bite.

Meramec Caverns (Stanton, Missouri)

Motorists passing through Stanton can stop in for a guided tour of the Meramec Caverns, a multi-level, natural underground wonder that has been a tourist attraction since 1933. Some say the cave was a hideout for Jesse James and his crew. To get the full experience, visitors should be prepared to walk a well-lit 1.25 miles for about 1 hour, 20 minutes.

Wagon Wheel Motel (Cuba, Missouri)

The Wagon Wheel Motel has been around since 1935, making it the oldest continuously running motel on Route 66. The historic inn  still beckons weary drivers with original flashing neon lights from the ‘40s. The original wood doors, windows, and floors from the 1930s have been updated.

Devil’s Elbow, Missouri

Devil’s Elbow is situated in the Ozark Mountains and the Mark Twain National Forest, making it one of the more scenic stretches of Old Route 66. Be sure to check out the classic diners, bars, and grills in the area for a big taste of nostalgic Americana.

Cars on the Route (Galena, Kansas)

Only about 13 miles of Route 66 wind through Kansas, but Cars on the Route—the old Kan-O-Tex service station—is worth a stop. The station now has a “Cars” theme and is home to the mining boom truck that inspired the character Tow Mater in the animated film. It was first restored by Betty Courtney, Melba Rigg, Renee Charles, and Judy Courtney, which is why the gas station was dubbed “Four Women on the Route” for several years.

Galena Mining & Historical Museum (Galena, Kansas)

The Galena Mining & Historical Museum—which sits inside the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas train depot—educates passersby on the history of this mining town. Visitors can also learn about how Pixar animators based the fictional town of Radiator Springs—from the movie “Cars”—on this small Kansas town.

Brush Creek Bridge (Cherokee County, Kansas)

The historic Brush Creek Bridge, also known as Rainbow Bridge, was constructed in 1923. Iowa bridge designer James Barney Marsh created the Rainbow Arch design and patented the construction elements in 1912. Route 66 motorists used the 130-foot bridge to cross Route 66 until the interstate was built in the 1960s.

Williams’ Store (Riverton, Kansas)

In 1925, Leo Williams built a small community store and deli that he ran with his wife until the Eisler family purchased the business about 50 years later. Today, Williams’ Store offers groceries, sandwiches, and Route 66 souvenirs.

Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Service Station (Baxter, Kansas)

Baxter Springs is one of only three towns Route 66 drivers pass through while in Kansas. The town’s Independent Oil and Gas Service Station is one of the locations worth a drive-by. What’s interesting about the gas station is that it looks more like someone’s home than a place to fill up. After the Great Depression, some oil companies redesigned their buildings to have more of a domestic feel that might make their customers feel more comfortable.

Milk Bottle Grocery (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

The historic Milk Bottle Grocery was built in 1930 and is hard to miss: The 350-square-foot building has a giant milk bottle perched on top of it. Since its creation, many dairy companies have paid to advertise their names across the side of the sculpture. The landmark is a popular spot for Route 66 motorists to snap photos and has been home to a variety of businesses including a cleaners, realty office, Vietnamese sandwich shop, and landscape architect.

Blue Whale (Catoosa, Oklahoma)

The Blue Whale is exactly what it sounds like. Zoologist Hugh S. Davis originally built the sea mammal replica as a place where his grandchildren could play and swim. The whale took two years to create and was completed in 1972. Davis’s daughter still owns the whale, but swimming is no longer allowed. There are some picnic tables nearby for motorists to take a driving break for lunch.

Lucille’s Service Station and Roadhouse (Hydro, Oklahoma)

Built in 1929, Lucille’s Service Station is no longer offering gas, but the building has been restored to its original condition. The vintage pumps are still on site and a historical marker tells visitors about how the station began. Included in that history is a bit about the station’s namesake, Lucille Hamons, who ran the business for more than 50 years.

Allen’s Conoco Fillin’ Station (Commerce, Oklahoma)

Built around 1930, this service station—also known as Hole in the Wall Conoco Station—offered a place for Route 66 travelers to fill up. It did start out selling Conoco gas but switched to Phillips 66 in 1938. Word on the street is that Bonnie and Clyde may have even fueled up here. Allen’s Conoco Fillin’ Station may have originally been a gas station, but the tiny green and red structure—built out from the side of a building—is now a souvenir shop.

Totem Pole Park (Foyil, OK)

Artist Ed Galloway created his Totem Pole Park—located about 3.5 miles off Route 66—as a place to show off folk art made of stone and concrete. Many of the pieces depict birds and Native American images. The largest totem pole in the park is 60 feet tall. The original construction lasted from 1937 to 1961 and was restored from 1988 to 1998.

Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Texas)

In 1974, a group of San Francisco artists decided to bury 10 Cadillacs made between 1949 and 1964 nose-first into a Texas field. Millionaire Stanley Marsh 3, who died in 2014, funded the art installation. Graffiti is encouraged, so road trippers can stop by and leave their own mark on the cars before heading further west. The site is off Exit 66 of Interstate 40.

VW Slug Bug Ranch (Conway, Texas)

If Cadillac Ranch is too crowded, motorists can drive a few miles from Amarillo to the lesser known VW Slug Bug Ranch in Conway, Texas. The scene is similar to Cadillac Ranch, except the cars are Volkswagen beetles instead. To find the art installation, motorists can plug “Conway Inn & Restaurant” into GPS.

Midpoint Cafe (Adrian, Texas)

Adrian, Texas, marks the official midpoint of Route 66. There’s even a white line on the road and a sign noting the distance between Chicago and Los Angeles—both are 1,139 miles away. Hungry motorists can stop in for a burger at Midpoint Cafe, which served as inspiration for Flo’s V8 Cafe in the animated movie “Cars.”

Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe (Shamrock, Texas)

Constructed in 1936, the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe on historic Route 66 includes a retail store, the Tower Conoco Station, and the U-Drop Inn Cafe. The latter got its name from a local boy who won a naming contest. The structure is now a visitor center, chamber of commerce office, and community center.

Leaning Tower of Texas (Groom, Texas)

Truck-stop owner Ralph Britten created the Leaning Tower of Texas to drum up business. The structure slants at an 80-degree angle with the ground and was quite the sight for unaware tourists who thought it was falling. Motorists regularly popped into the nearby truck stop to alert Britten, who would calm their fears and invite them in for a quick bite. While the tower is still in position, Britten’s truck stop has since burned down.

Big Texan Steak Ranch (Amarillo, Tesas)

Travelers should bring their appetites when they visit the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. The restaurant, which opened in 1960, is home to the 72-ounce steak. Diners can eat for free if they finish their 4.5-pound steak—and the sides—in one hour. Tired motorists can sleep off their meals at the nearby Big Texan Motel.

Blue Swallow Motel (Tucumcari, New Mexico)

The historic Blue Swallow Motel was built in 1939 and is still around today, making it the oldest motel still operating on New Mexico’s part of Route 66. The neon lights beckon guests off the road, where they can stay in vintage-style rooms that are fully restored. Some even have detached garages.

Tee Pee Curios (Tucumcari, New Mexico)

After spending a night in the Blue Swallow, travelers can stop by Tee Pee Curios, a 1940s-era gas station-turned-gift shop. The store offers jewelry, pottery, and any number of Route 66 souvenirs. Guests enter the shop through a concrete wigwam built around the front door. A Route 66 shield is painted on the side of the building.

Clines Corners Retail Center (Clines Corners, New Mexico)

This New Mexico travel center has been serving Route 66 travelers since it first opened in 1934. Drivers can park their RVs overnight, or stop in the cafe for breakfast, a burger, or a burrito.

66 Diner (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

To get the full ‘50s dining experience, avid tourists flock to the 66 Diner in Albuquerque. The spot used to be a gas station but was converted into a diner in 1987. Guests can view one of the largest PEZ collections in America while sipping on a milkshake or malt.

El Rancho Hotel (Gallup, New Mexico)

The historic El Rancho Hotel, built in 1936, bills itself as a favorite of movie stars who filmed Westerns in the area in the ’30s and ‘40s. John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, and Humphrey Bogart all stayed there. Route 66 travelers can book a room named after one of the stars.

Blue Hole (Santa Rosa, New Mexico)

This natural sinkhole with sapphire-colored water was a fish hatchery in the 1930s. The Blue Hole became a recreation area in the 1970s and is now a popular spot for swimmers and scuba divers. The water is 81 feet deep and about 60 degrees, fed by a network of artesian springs connected to the Pecos River.

Hackberry General Store (Hackberry, Arizona)

The Hackberry General Store has been around for about 80 years, but it’s easy to miss. Visitors should keep an eye out for two vintage gas pumps (which don’t work anymore) out front. The owners have adopted some interesting decor: the walls and ceiling are covered with old license plates, patches, and money donated from around the world. Travelers should check out the re-creation of an old ‘50s diner before picking up some Route 66 souvenirs.

Winslow Corner (Winslow, Arizona)

Travelers who want to take it easy should make sure to stop by the corner where Old Highway 66 meets North Kinsley Avenue in Winslow, Arizona. The 1972 Eagles song “Take it Easy” inspired an installation called “Standin’ On the Corner” Park,” a statue of a man with a guitar standing on the corner near a red flatbed truck. The town of Winslow didn’t create the park until three decades after the song was written, partially because Interstate 40 bypassed the town and cut down on tourist traffic.

Angel and Vilma’s Original Route 66 Gift Shop (Seligman, Arizona)

Angel Delgadillo, now in his 90s, turned his barbershop into a Route 66 gift shop in 1987 after he helped establish the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. Delgadillo—known as the “Guardian of Route 66”—still cuts hair on occasion, though he’s been semi-retired since the ’70s.

Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In (Seligman, Arizona)

Motorists can stop in for a root beer float or a burger at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In. Visitors should take a close look at the walls and ceiling, which are covered with patches, money, and other paraphernalia donated from visitors around the world. Juan Delgadillo opened the shop in 1953, and his son still runs the business.

The town of Oatman (Oatman, Arizona)

Visitors to Oatman, a former mining town, can get a glimpse of bighorn sheep or mingle with burros (small donkeys) that roam the city streets. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard got married in nearby Kingman and may have honeymooned in the Oatman Hotel, which remains open as a museum and restaurant.

Wigwam Village Motel #6 (Holbrook, Arizona)

Tired motorists can sleep off a long day on the road at the historic Wigwam Village Motel #6 (there are five previous versions across the U.S.). Chester E. Lewis, charmed by wigwam villages he’d seen in Kentucky,  opened the motel in 1950. There are classic cars on display out front, but the rooms have been renovated to include more modern amenities like air conditioning and cable TV. The Lewis family still owns and operates the business today.

Grand Canyon National Park

Access to Grand Canyon National Park isn’t right off Route 66, but seeing one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World is worth a detour. From Williams, Arizona, drive 60 miles north to get to the South Rim.

Meteor Crater (Meteor City, Arizona)

Sometime between 5,000 and 50,000 years ago, a meteor crashed into northern Arizona and formed a massive crater that’s been turned into a popular tourist attraction. The site is only minutes from Interstate 40 and the old Route 66. If it’s too hot, visitors can pop into the Meteor Crater Visitor Center on the crater’s rim to view the crater from a comfortably air-conditioned room.

Elmer Long’s Bottle Tree Ranch (Oro Grande, California)

A popular spot for an Instagram photoshoot, Elmer Long created his now-famous Bottle Tree Ranch out of bottles he collected as a kid. Years after he retired, he started hanging the empty glass bottles onto metal pipes that scatter rainbows of light when the sun shines through them. Visitors can try to spot the column topped by a rake—it’s Long’s favorite.

Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe (Victorville, California)

Opened in 1947, Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe has been serving Route 66 visitors for more than 70 years. It also made a cameo in “Kill Bill Vol. 2.” Hungry motorists can get eggs and pancakes for breakfast or chow down on a burger—and ice cream sundaes—for lunch.

Rt. 66 Museum (Victorville, California)

Motorists can stop by the California Route 66 Museum to learn some history and take some photos in the ‘50s diner or VW Love Bus. There’s a Model T on the grounds and an old outhouse. Visitors can make a pit-stop in the library and gift shop to get some Route 66 memorabilia before heading back to the road.

Original McDonald’s (San Bernardino, California)

The first McDonald’s opened in 1948 close to Route 66 (the exact location is 1398 N. East St. at West 14th Street in San Bernadino). In 1954, businessman Ray Kroc met the McDonald brothers in California while selling the brothers milkshake mixing machines. The rest is franchising history.

Cucamonaco Service Station (Rancho Cucamonga, California)

The canary yellow Cucamonga Service Station was built in 1915 and remained a gas station until the ‘60s. It fell into disrepair in the ‘70s but has since been restored and turned into a museum.

Roy’s Motel & Cafe (Amboy, California)

Roy’s opened in 1938 and is located in Amboy, which some call a ghost town. The sign is a particularly popular photo spot for Route 66 road-trippers. While some hope the cafe is fully restored in the future, visitors can still pop in and thumb through old newspapers or buy a souvenir and some snacks.

Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica, California)

In 1926, the original end to the route was at Seventh and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. That spot wasn’t a very scenic end for drivers after a long trip. So in 2009, the Route 66 Alliance and the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation decided to erect an “End of the Trail” sign on the pier. To get there, motorists drive toward the pier and then walk out about 200 feet. The end sign is just past the Bubba Gump shrimp franchise and just before the Playland arcade.

Teen who fell from Orlando ride died of blunt force trauma to head, body, autopsy report finds

ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — The autopsy of Tyre Sampson, the teen who died after he fell from the FreeFall ride at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida, shows he had a number of extensive injuries and died from blunt force trauma.

The autopsy report from Orange County Medical Examiner’s office showed the 14-year-old suffered serious internal injuries, as well as injuries to his head, neck and torso after falling more than 70 feet.

Those injuries included multiple fractures to the skull, multiple fractured ribs, a broken arm, a broken leg, and serious lacerations throughout his body, some of which left the bones of his feet exposed.

“The manner of death is accident,” the report reads.

The FreeFall’s weight limit for a rider was 287 pounds. The autopsy indicated the teen was 383 pounds. A ride safety analyst previously said Sampson should have never been allowed to get on the ride.

In March, an examination of the ride found Sampson’s seat had been manually loosened and he was not properly secured.

The ride remains closed while the investigation continues.

“The loss of Tyre Sampson was a tragic accident. We continue to communicate and cooperate with representatives of Tyre’s family, as well as the Department of Agriculture,” Trevor Arnold, an attorney for the park operator, said in a statement to WFLA. “We are devoted to working with our lawmakers in making lasting safety changes in the amusement park industry.”