College Park woman wins $72M Mega Millions jackpot
Winning is sweet! Marcia Adams, 33, matched all of the winning numbers in the Jan. 24 Mega Millions drawing.

Adams claimed her $72 million prize Thursday at Georgia Lottery headquarters. After final sales were tallied, the jackpot increased from the advertised $71 million. Adams selected the cash option amount, which is $52 million.

Her boyfriend, Kenneth, was craving a Hershey's with almonds chocolate bar on the night of the drawing; but at her urging, he purchased two Quik Piks instead.

"We found out this morning while he was taking me to work," said Adams, who works in accounting. "I almost lost my mind."

The couple were talking about the ticket when Kenneth checked the results of the drawing on the Georgia Lottery's mobile site with his cell phone.

"We've been laughing since then," she said. "We feel like we're dreaming, like this isn't real."

Adams has worked in accounting 12 years; and at the moment, she plans to continue working. She and Kenneth have dated seven years.

"We're going to plan for our wedding and buy a house," she said. "We just want to be happy."

The Quik Pik jackpot was purchased at Chevron Food Mart, 5851 Buffington Road in Atlanta.

Eight Manufacturing Workers in South Carolina Share $250,000 Mega Millions® Prize
When the cost of a Powerball® ticket went up to $2 this week, a group of eight coworkers at TTI, formerly Ryobi, in Anderson, SC, decided to make the switch to Mega Millions®. The group's decision paid off.

They're splitting a $250,000 prize from Tuesday night's Mega Millions® drawing. That's $21,250 each after taxes.

"I'm going to Disney World," said one of the winners.

The eight coworkers, whose ages range from 30 to 59, starting buying lottery tickets together this time last year. Members had been grumbling about not winning, so when the group's appointed leader saw the Mega Millions® results and called to tell them they won, he expected gratitude. He didn't get it.

"I hung up on him," confessed one of the winners.

Disbelievers at first, each came around when they checked the numbers (3 - 15 - 31 - 36 - 53, MB: 27) for themselves.

Everyone at work knows and is hoping for an invite to join the group.

"One sucker got out," laughed one of the winners. "Tomorrow he's going to start back."

A few at work have mentioned the fact that the group should have spent the extra $1 for the Megaplier®, and then the prize would have been an automatic $1 million.

"This is just the beginning anyway," refuted the group's spokesman. "We'll be back for the jackpot."

Friday the 13th Proves to be a Very Lucky Day for One Mega Millions Player
Superstition holds that Friday the 13th is a day of bad luck. That certainly wasn't the case for 35-year-old Daniel Bruckner this year. Bruckner was awarded his $208,000,000 Mega Millions prize check today at the King Kullen supermarket where he made his life changing purchase.

"I went to the King Kullen store I normally go to when we're on Long Island visiting family and friends," explained the California native. "I picked up food for dinner and saw how big the jackpot was so I decided to buy a ticket."

Bruckner's Quick Pick ticket contained the winning combination of numbers drawn for the December 27, 2011 Mega Millions drawing making him the sole winner of the $208,000,000 jackpot. The winning numbers were: 23 – 32 – 33 – 39 - 43 and Mega Ball 08.

Bruckner opted to receive his $208,000,000 jackpot prize in one lump sum payment with a cash value of $153,279,293. His net check will total $101,440,236.

"This has been such a whirlwind I really haven't had time to think about my plans for the money," explained the financial analyst. "I feel lucky enough just having great family and friends around me."

The winning ticket was purchased on December 26 at the King Kullen on Middle Country Road in Middle Island. King Kullen will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the jackpot winning ticket.

Holding On to a $250,000 Secret
The wife of a Salem, OH resident knows how to keep a big secret. Robert C. Senior bought a $250,000 second–tier prize winning ticket on the 12-20-11 Mega Millions' game, but he could not read it without his glasses. His wife knew it was a winner, but she didn't tell him. She held onto the ticket and finally revealed that it was worth a second-tier prize after the holidays.

After mandatory federal and state taxes totaling 31 percent, Senior receives a check for $172,500. He says he plans to be debt-free in 2012.

Senior purchased the ticket at Circle K, 1125 East State Street in Salem. Senior used auto pick. The winning numbers were 22-24-27-45-51. The mega ball number was 3. Circle K receives a $1,000 agent bonus for selling a second-tier prize winning Mega Millions' ticket.

Washington Man gets Christmas Wish
Washington's west side had a big winner this week. Vicente Santiago of Tacoma won $250,000 playing Mega Millions. "I found out I won on Christmas night but kept it a secret until now," he explained.

The 37-year-old attributes his win to a blessing from God. "Our pastor at church was talking about asking God for blessings and for big things. So I said, 'Ok God, you know our situation, please help us out.' And here I am $250,000 richer," Vicente exclaimed.

Vicente purchased his ticket at the J&P Deli Mart in Tacoma on Portland Avenue South. The store will receive a $2,500 retail selling bonus for selling the winning ticket.

Wyoming Man Claims $10,000 Mega Millions Prize
Henry Fales of Cheyenne, WY on January 3, 2012 claimed his $10,000 prize from the Dec. 30, 2011 Mega Millions drawing at the Rapid City office of the South Dakota Lottery.

Fales matched four of five white ball numbers and the Mega Ball to win the game's third prize. The odds of winning $10,000 playing Mega Millions are 1:698,065. He purchased his winning ticket at the Loaf 'N Jug on Rushmore Road in Rapid City. The store will receive a $1,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

The Megaplier Brought a Million
A resident of South Euclid said yes to the Megaplier on the Ohio Lottery's Mega Millions' game. Now Donald L. Phillips is $1,000,000 richer after matching all five numbers, the megaplier, and no mega ball in the December 23 Mega Millions' drawing.

After mandatory federal and state taxes totaling 31 percent are withheld, Phillips receives $690,000.

Phillips picked the numbers. The winning numbers were 3-5-8-18-29. The mega ball number was 14. The megaplier number was 4. Phillips purchased the ticket from Speedway # 4044. Located at 4549 Mayfield Road in South Euclid, Speedway receives a $1,000 agent bonus for selling a second tier prize winning Mega Millions' ticket.

The Women Win It!
Five lucky ladies won a second tier prize playing an Ohio Lottery on-line game. Rosalia L Penn of Liberty Township, Cynthia J. Reichert of Miamisburg, Myra J. Barrie of Middletown, Sallie L. Burkett of Waynesville and Cathy J. Kowaleski of Springboro will split $250,000 for matching five numbers and no mega ball number in the 11-11-11 Mega Millions' drawing.

After mandatory federal and state taxes totaling 31 percent, the five will divide $172,500.

The group purchased the ticket at Ameristop, 7550 N. St. Rt. 48 in Waynesville. They picked the numbers. The winning numbers were 2-16-22-29-50. The mega ball number was 27. Ameristop receives a $1,000 agent bonus for selling a second-tier prize winning Mega Millions' ticket.

Trashed ticket leads to $250,000 lottery win
A Dawsonville man's trash turned into his treasure. Andrew Hunter, 24, won $250,000 after playing Mega Millions with winnings from a tossed ticket.

"I didn't realize you could win $3 for matching one number plus the Mega Ball," he said. "I pulled it out of the trash and cashed it in for three more tickets."

One of those tickets landed him $250,000 from Tuesday's drawing.

"I would have never bought that ticket if I hadn't pulled the other ticket out of the trash," he said. "I don't think it's really hit me yet."

A server at Taco Mac in Cumming, Hunter plans to invest most of his prize.

Quik Trip #0841, located at 1655 Buford Highway in Cumming, sold the lucky Quik Pik ticket.

The Teachers Hit the $250,000 Jackpot
A group of Lottery "partners in education" won a second tier prize on an Ohio Lottery on-line game. Fourteen Case Elementary Public School Teachers will split $250,000 after matching five of the five mega numbers and no mega ball in the November 1, Mega Millions' drawing.

Playing together for fifteen years, Emily Crocker, Kia Grant, Iris Berwitt, Tonaka Gill, Thomas Shannon, Roberta Perkel, Paulette R. Colarochio, Mary Teresa McNeeley, Sandra L. Gast, Tonya A. Byers, Carmen M Rhodes-Grover, Joan E. Hawkins, Richard A. Wilson and Jacquelyn Lanier each contributed $10 monthly. After mandatory federal and state taxes totaling 31 percent, the group will divide $172,500.

Tom Shannon purchased the ticket at the Corner Beverage, 923 East 222nd Street in Euclid. The group picked the numbers. The winning numbers were 27-31-39-40-46. The mega ball number was 36. Corner Beverage receives a $1,000 agent bonus for selling a second-tier prize winning Mega Millions ticket.

Cedar Springs man claims $250,000 Mega Millions Prize!
Everett Atwood from Cedar Spring, MI was the lucky winner of $250,000 after purchasing a Mega Millions ticket.

The long time Lottery player and his wife are looking forward to purchasing their first home together and buying a new car. "The kids are getting anything they want for Christmas this year!" said Atwood.

One Million Dollars Claimed
A resident of Mt. Eaton has placed the city on the map of winners after winning a top prize in an Ohio Lottery game. Michael S. Blaney won $1,000,000 in the November 8 Mega Millions drawing. He matched five of the mega numbers drawn and said yes to the megaplier number.

Matching five of the five mega ball numbers and no mega ball is an automatic win of $250,000. By playing another one dollar and saying yes to the megaplier, he multiplied his second tier prize, $250,000 by four, and the megaplier which netted him a $1 million win.

After mandatory federal and state taxes totaling 31 percent, Blaney receives a check for $690,000.

Blaney used auto pick when he purchased the ticket at Mt. Eaton Bell Store #54. Located at 15927 East Main Street in Mt Eaton, this retailer receives $1,000 agent sales bonus for selling a second-tier prize winning ticket. The winning numbers were 5-31-45-47-54+4.

Newport News couple wins $250,000 in Mega Millions
John and Carol Lockwood are what might be called once-in-a-while Lottery players. But once was all it took when the Newport News couple matched the first five numbers in the October 18 Mega Millions drawing. Their prize was a cool $250,000.

Mr. Lockwood bought the ticket at the 7-Eleven at 12460 Warwick Boulevard in Newport News. He used Easy Pick and allowed the computer to select the numbers on his ticket.

The winning numbers for that drawing were 24-25-45-47-53 and the Mega Ball was 42. Had the Lockwoods' ticket matched that final number, they would have won a jackpot estimated at $39 million. Their ticket was the only one in Virginia to win $250,000 in that drawing, and one of just four nationwide.

"I'm excited, nervous, happy and grateful," Ms. Lockwood told Lottery officials as the couple claimed the quarter-million-dollar prize.

Greenville family claims its half of $114 million Mega Millions jackpot
North Carolina's newest jackpot winners are members of a Greenville, N.C. family who claimed today their half of the Sept. 30 Mega Millions jackpot worth $114 million.

Half of the jackpot, $57 million, goes to James Jones, a retired banker from Greenville, and his two daughters, Allan Jones of Greenville, and Kimberly Jones, a high school teacher from Buford, Ga. The family chose the lump sum option rather than the annuity and will receive $42.2 million. After taxes were withheld, James Jones received $20 million and Kimberly Jones and Allan Jones received $4.3 million each.

"For my family, it will mean the ability to finish the education of our grandchildren and their grandchildren" said James Jones. "For my daughters, it will certainly mean a less stressful financial life and the ability to follow their life ambitions. As for my wife and I, it will certainly not change much in our lives as we now live comfortably and have no needs or want for many more worldly things."

Jones said the family plans to invest and save the money for "future generations" and support worthy charities.

Harrisonville Teacher Makes 'Mega' Money on Day Off School
If the Missouri Lottery gave players grades for a job well done, one Harrisonville school teacher would be on the hypothetical honor roll. Donald Dickerson, 48, used Quick Pick to match all five white-ball numbers in the Mega Millions drawing on Oct. 21. The dedicated educator and first-time Lottery winner said he "went through a whole day of school" with the winning ticket in his pocket, admitting that he did leave an hour early to claim his prize.

In typical teacher fashion, Dickerson didn't want to take credit for the Lottery win until he turned in his "work" – in his case, until he submitted the necessary paperwork to a Lottery office and confirmed the win with officials.

"I feel relieved that I can tell everybody now," said Dickerson, who purchased the winning ticket at QuikTrip, 1402 N. State Rt. 291 in Harrisonville, on a teacher in-service day.

Dickerson, the soon-to-be topic of water-cooler conversation, intends to use the windfall to "pay off bills, pay off my house and my car, and pretty much be debt free."

When asked how the prize might change his daily life, Dickerson explained that prior to winning a quarter of a million dollars, he was content, and he doesn't think much will vary in his life post-win.

"I just make my monthly payments like the rest of the world," he explained. "I'm happy that I'm doing it, and I'm happy that I have a rewarding career."

As for what could differ now that he's a Lottery winner, the grandfather-of-seven noted that by lifting the burden of monthly payments, he'll be able to "just enjoy life" a bit more.

"It will give me extra money per month that I can spend on the grandkids," he said.

Dickerson clarified that he's grateful for the life he's been leading, but the win will allow him to "have a lot more fun."

True to teacher form, Dickerson had a Lottery lesson to share: "Play what you can, and enjoy it!"

'Mega' Money: Columbia Man Turns $2 Purchase into $250,000 Prize
Andrew Schroeder of Columbia, MO is "still in shock" about his $250,000 win on Mega Millions. The 27-year-old United States postal worker decided to try his luck on the game, which before the Oct. 14 drawing, he had never played. The $2 Quick Pick ticket he purchased at Everyday Convenience Store, 6751 Highway 40 W. in Columbia, made him a quarter of a million dollars richer.

"He (the retailer) scanned it and said, 'Oh, my, you won!'" recalled Schroeder, noting the store clerk said he wasn't sure how much the ticket was worth. "I thought I won $600 or $1,000."

After requesting a print-out of the ticket information, the first-time Lottery winner walked outside to the parking lot.

"I got in the car, and I realized that all five balls were it," said Schroeder. "On the printout, it said $250,000. I was screaming!"

As for plans for the prize money, Schroeder said his "dad wants a Harley, and the rest is up to me."

"I'm getting a new pair of shoes and probably a cruise," he explained.

In addition to those plans, he smiled and declared that he's also "going to Disneyland!"

"I'm ecstatic," he continued. "I'm happy. I'm overjoyed!"

Schroeder used Quick Pick to match all five white-ball numbers in the Oct. 14 Mega Millions drawing.

$1 Million Mega Millions' Megaplier Ticket Claimed
A couple from Warren has come forward to claim a second-tier prize in the Ohio Lottery's Mega Millions game. Joseph D. Frank and Stephanie R. Weaver will split $1 million after matching all five numbers plus the megaplier in the September 27 Mega Millions drawing.

After mandatory federal and state withholding taxes totaling 31 percent, they will divide $690,000.

They used auto pick. The winning numbers were 2-20-28-36-45+37. The megaplier number was 4. They purchased the megaplier which automatically increased the win to $1,000,000. The winning ticket was purchased at Kwik Fill, 4994 Mahoning Avenue in Champion Ohio. Kwik Fill receives a $1,000 agent sales bonus for selling a second-tier prize winning ticket.