LANSING, September 11, 2007 – A very lucky Portage man is $250,000 richer, thanks to the Lottery’s Mega Millions game.

Jerry Thornton matched all five white ball numbers, without matching the gold Mega ball in the Aug. 31 drawing to win the prize.

After checking his easy pick ticket on the Lottery’s Web site, he told Lottery officials that he was in “disbelief” because this is the first time in three years that he’s played the Lottery!

He plans to use the prize money for retirement, his daughter’s college tuition, a washer and dryer for his wife and some new “toys” for himself!  In his free time, he enjoys motorcycles and watching the Detroit Tigers.

The winning ticket was purchased at Speedway #3582, 8379 Portage Rd., in Portage.

Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery game in Michigan, California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.  Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at nearly 11,000 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

All proceeds from the Lottery are contributed to the state School Aid Fund which supports kindergarten through 12th grade public education in Michigan.  In fiscal year 2006, the contribution was $688 million.

For additional information, please visit the Lottery’s Web site at https://www.michiganlottery.com/.

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