LANSING, August 22, 2002 – Richard Ullom of Coleman was shocked to discover he possessed a top prize-winning Michigan Lottery Mega Millions ticket! He could hardly believe his eyes when he saw he had matched the first five numbers in the August 16 Mega Millions drawing to win a $175,000 prize. That day’s winning numbers were: 22, 31, 33, 44, 52 and the Gold Mega Ball number was 43.

"I looked up the winning numbers in the newspaper, and when I saw they matched the first five on my ticket I figured the numbers in the paper must be a misprint," Ullom said. "I immediately went to a local store to pick up a winning number report so I could double-check my ticket. My wife and kids didn’t believe me at first when I told them I had won $175,000!"

The 58-year-old retired pipefitter said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 29 years, and his favorites are the instant games and, of course, Mega Millions.

Ullom purchased the winning Mega Millions "easy pick" ticket at Meijer #108, 7300 Eastman Ave., in Midland. Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, the lucky man said he kept it locked in a safe.

He said he plans to use part of his winnings to make home improvements, but has not yet decided what he will do with the remainder of the money.

The last Big Game drawing took place on Tuesday, May 14, 2002. On Wednesday, May 15, 2002, The Big Game was replaced by Mega Millions. Mega Millions is a multistate lottery game in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Virginia. Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at more than 7,000 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

Mega Millions drawings are conducted every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. The next Mega Millions drawing is Friday, August 23, with an estimated jackpot of $90 million. For more information about Mega Millions, visit the Michigan Lottery’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/lottery or the Mega Millions Web site at www.megamillions.com.

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