Cl duo can’t use jackson tickets

CRYSTAL LAKE – A Crystal Lake father and son would be among the 20,000 fans at Michael Jackson’s star-studded memorial service if it weren’t for fireworks and flight costs.

“We thought he was a good entertainer,” said Kyle Rokusek, who won the lottery for seats with his father, Rob.

But the duo only found out they won Monday morning, leaving them just hours to find transportation to Los Angeles to claim their tickets.

“It was so last minute; we were at the fireworks when the e-mail came,” said Kyle Rokusek, 15. “There was only one flight left that was open, but tickets were too expensive.”

Debbie Rokusek, Kyle’s mother, remembered that an old classmate from Jacobs High School, Brian Kalata, lived in the Los Angeles area, and she asked him if he wanted the tickets.

Kalata went Dodger Stadium to pick up the tickets during the allotted time, but the tickets were gone. Instead, he was given tickets for a special simulcast at the nearby Nokia Theater.

– David Fitzgerald