South Georgia couple wins $270M Mega Millions lottery jackpot

Feb 24, 2008, 10:15 am (55 comments)

Mega Millions

The grand prize in this week's Mega Millions lottery drawing, $270 million, will go to one couple from South Georgia.

Robert and Tonya Harris from Bulloch County, Georgia became millionaires Friday night when their Mega Millions numbers, 12, 22, 19, 7, 13, and mega number 10, were drawn.

In an interview posted on WSAV.com, the couple said they rarely play the lottery, but this time the couple used their grandchildren's birthdays, something they've never done before. "They're my life. Them grandkids are everything I work for, strive for, to make sure they have a good life, and now they're going to have a good life," Robert Harris said in the report.

Mr. Harris, a structural steel and iron worker, reportedly called his employer, Quinlain Enterprise, Saturday morning to tell them that he plans to retire.

The winning ticket from Friday night's drawing was bought at Flash Foods 70 in Portal, Georgia, said Tandi Reddick, Georgia Lottery spokeswoman. Portal is about 200 miles southeast of Atlanta.

Robert and Tonya Harris"We're very excited — it's caused a buzz in this small town," said Billy Hodges, general manager of Clyde's Market 70, which he said formerly was called Flash Foods 70.

Harris said he plans to buy a new truck — a GMC extended cab — and spend more time at home with his family.

The couple opted for the cash option, bringing their winnings down to $164 million.

Another 207 players matched four numbers, plus the Mega Ball number — good for third prizes of $10,000 each.

Six California players matched five numbers, and another 38 matched four of the five lotto numbers, plus the Mega Ball number. The prize amounts in California are different than what prize winners in the other Mega Ball participating states would receive.

The next drawing — worth $12 million — will be Tuesday.

The winning numbers from Friday night's drawing were: 7, 12, 13, 19 and 22. The Mega Ball number was 10.

The Texas Megaplier was 4.

AP

Comments

NBey6's avatarNBey6

  Lottery 

  Granny 

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Harris!!!!

MissNYC's avatarMissNYC

I wonder how they allotted which grandchild to the megaball...after all, that made all the difference. Eh well...my time will come...come on powerball!

Litebets27's avatarLitebets27

Congratulations to the lucky couple.

They will now lavish themselves in all that we all only dream of.

(I don't know about the GMC with the extended Cab)LOL

SORRY!!!

litebets

Bradly_60's avatarBradly_60

It was birthday numbers....I was right...haha.  Congrats to them!

 

Brad

JWBlue

 A couple of years ago for a $280 million dollar jackpot it was a maid who only bought 1 ticket that was the winner.

Litebets27's avatarLitebets27

Quote: Originally posted by JWBlue on Feb 24, 2008

 A couple of years ago for a $280 million dollar jackpot it was a maid who only bought 1 ticket that was the winner.

Your right. I wonder how she's doing? I believe she was a single Mom with 5 children. I hope that she is doing well.

litebets

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

Congrats to the couple they are indeed lucky!

mken32's avatarmken32

Wow that's awesome.. I've bought tix in South Georgia and said wow I started sweating I thought  that I had won.....but nothing only 10 bucks  I am cool now but will eventally win this year Jackpot...... I willParty Like a ROCKStar til then.....

dearlord

Wow they talked to the media and waived the actual ticket around before they can even claim it?  How did the media even find out? 

JackpotWanna's avatarJackpotWanna

Dang! I bought $35 worth of tickets and won only $6.

konane's avatarkonane

Quote: Originally posted by dearlord on Feb 24, 2008

Wow they talked to the media and waived the actual ticket around before they can even claim it?  How did the media even find out? 

Small town where everyone knows everyone else, news travels fast ... speculation to conclusion even faster.   BTW welcome to LP!

 

Congratulations to them, totally awesome win!!!  Wish them the very best in all their endeavors!!!  Party  Party  Party  Party  Party

chasingadream's avatarchasingadream

I love it when I read stories like this of people who win...... regular working class people that get a lil bit of luck that helps change their lives.

mken32's avatarmken32

Quote: Originally posted by JackpotWanna on Feb 24, 2008

Dang! I bought $35 worth of tickets and won only $6.

I notice the winning couple only spent 2 bucks and I spent 5 bucks for three draws my total was 15.00 and won 10.00 I stillhave one more drawing to go .... should I only do 1 buck a week or more cause the odds are totally against me... how many people spent a 1000 bucks and won nothing this couple spent 2 dollars  and won you do the math......  

computerhead723's avatarcomputerhead723

Quote: Originally posted by chasingadream on Feb 24, 2008

I love it when I read stories like this of people who win...... regular working class people that get a lil bit of luck that helps change their lives.

he  was  an  Iron worker  they  do  alright  as  far  as  cash  is  concerned .....but  the  270 million  would  have  been  better  spent  by  me ; I Agree!

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