Drive-through ticket process for Michael Jackson memorial goes smoothly in Los Angeles

July 13th, 2009 LA mayor: City should cover Jackson memorial costsLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (vee-yah-ry-GOH'-sah) has criticized his staff for setting up a Web site seeking donations to cover the city's cost from the Michael Jackson memorial. Villaraigosa says the city is responsible for protecting public safety and should pick up the $1.4 million tab for police overtime and other services from the event last week at Staples Center.

July 10th, 2009 LA wants reports on Jackson memorial cost, revenueLOS ANGELES — The financial fallout from the Michael Jackson memorial service continues, with Los Angeles city officials calling for reviews on who should pick up the tab for municipal services related to the event. Councilman Dennis Zine said Friday he wants a report on how much the city spent on police overtime, sanitation and traffic control for the service, which was attended by some 17,000 fans at the Staples Center on Tuesday.

July 10th, 2009 LA official: Promoter should pay Jackson memorialLOS ANGELES — A city council member has called on AEG Live to pay some of the estimated $1.4 million cost for policing Michael Jackson's memorial service at the Staples Center. Dennis Zine told Fox 11 on Thursday that the city's taxpayers "are getting ripped off" because the owner-operator of the Staples Center profited by charging media up to $50,000 to use risers outside the venue.

July 7th, 2009 Jackson motorcade reaches memorial parkLOS ANGELES — A motorcade from the home of Michael Jackson's parents has reached a cemetery in the Hollywood Hills for a private service in advance of a star-studded memorial in downtown Los Angeles. Numerous vehicles under California Highway Patrol escort headed out from the parents' home shortly before 8 a.m.

July 7th, 2009 Jackson memorial service under wayLOS ANGELES — A public memorial service for Michael Jackson has begun in downtown Los Angeles. Smokey Robinson opened the memorial Tuesday morning in the Staples Center arena by reading comments from Jackson friends.

July 7th, 2009 List of guests invited to Jackson's memorialList of guests invited to public memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles: Larry King Dionne Warwick LeVar Burton Mariah Carey Spike Lee Wesley Snipes Lou Ferrigno Stevie Wonder Usher Lionel Richie Brooke Shields Kobe Bryant Berry Gordy Jennifer Hudson Magic Johnson John Mayer The Rev. Jesse Jackson The Rev.

July 6th, 2009 Movie theaters to show Jackson memorial serviceLOS ANGELES — Only a small number of fans will be able to attend Michael Jackson's memorial service. But others may be able to watch it in movie theaters all over the country.

July 6th, 2009 Al Sharpton calls for 'love vigils' for JacksonLOS ANGELES — The Rev. Al Sharpton has delivered a sermon in Los Angeles where he called for nationwide "love vigils" for Michael Jackson on Tuesday.

July 6th, 2009 Los Angeles would 'love' contribution for memorialLOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe will attend the pop superstar's memorial service. Former Jackson business associate Marc Schaffel told ABC's "Good Morning America" that Rowe was confirmed for VIP seats.

July 5th, 2009 Jackson memorial gets 1.6 million ticket requestsLOS ANGELES — The more than 1.6 million fans who registered for tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial service will finally get word Sunday on whether they will be among the lucky few to get tickets for the ceremony. Fans had to register for free at the Staples Center Web site between 10 a.m.

July 4th, 2009 Neverland closes until after LA Jackson memorialLOS OLIVOS, Calif. — Like an old Western boomtown, the makeshift village that sprang up around the gates of Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch was vanishing Friday, with visitors and vendors packing up tents, tarps, posters and CDs.

July 3rd, 2009 LA police plan for huge crowd at Jackson memorialLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles city officials are preparing for massive crowds downtown during Tuesday's public memorial for Michael Jackson at Staples Center, even though only 17,500 tickets are being offered to the public. Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger says anywhere from a quarter-million to 700,000 people may try to reach the arena, even though a wide area around Staples Center will be sealed off to those without tickets.

July 2nd, 2009 Tributes to Jackson spring up in unlikely localesPITTSBURGH — Michael Jackson permeated popular culture so thoroughly that people and towns nationwide with no connection to him are holding services in his honor. A funeral director in Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood is holding a memorial service Thursday night and was flooded with reservations.

July 2nd, 2009 Jackson event could be held at L.A. Staples CenterLOS ANGELES — A person with knowledge of the situation says Los Angeles officials are holding closed-door talks about a possible event for Michael Jackson on Tuesday at a downtown arena.

July 2nd, 2009 AP source: Jackson kin considering LA ColiseumLOS ANGELES — One site under consideration for a public Michael Jackson memorial is the Los Angeles Coliseum, where the Los Angeles Lakers held their championship celebration last month. A City Hall official not authorized to speak publicly says representatives for the Jackson family have inquired about using the site.