Big Problem: Car won't start

[1985mercurylynx]

my car ('97 'ti sport) will not start. i'm hoping someone will have some good ideas for me.

when I put the key in the ignition, the lock cylinder will either

1) rotate a full 360 degrees and never engage, or:
2) travel about a 1/4" and stop, but not engage the starter.
3) I can pull the key out in any position and the the lock cylinder will rotate freely.

other oddities:

1) the odometer reads 8888E when the key is in the ignition. When it is pressed to the stop, the normal mileage will show up. The trip odometer reset itself.

2) clock is not getting juice. Radio doesn't get juice unless I can get the key against the stop.

This just started happening tonight. I just got back from a long trip, it ran fine. However, today, a couple of things happened prior to this.

1) While cleaning the car, I left the lights on ~15 mins and ran the battery down. I turned it off for 5 minutes and it had enough amps to crank over.

2) I replaced the fuse to the fog lights today (it had burned out at least a week ago)

3) turn signals stopped working just before this happened (fuses are OK)

I have no idea if any of this has to do with the current issue, just wanted to let you all know.

Has anything like this ever happened to any of you? any ideas? I don't know if its a bad lock cylinder, goofy electrical problem, or what. I really don't want to have to tow it to the dealer. I can't get it out of park, and getting it out of the garage is going to be a bitch. Is there anything i can do to get it to start so i can get it out of the garage? Does anyone have a balpark cost if it is a lock cylinder?

help is appreciated. thanks.