Bryan resident claims jackpot of $11 million

8/1/2001

EDGERTON, Ohio - A 50-year-old Bryan man has claimed an $11 million Super Lotto Plus jackpot, solving a mystery that tantalized this Williams County community.

Mark Mills, an engineer for Verizon in Fort Wayne, Ind., turned in the winning ticket Monday afternoon at the Ohio Lottery's regional office in Toledo. Mr. Mills chose the annuity option and will receive 30 annual payments of $251,166.67.

He will get his first installment in about a month, said Sandy Lesko Mounts, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Lottery Commission.

Mr. Mills could not be reached for comment.

He bought the winning ticket for the July 25 drawing at Edgerton Main Stop, a convenience store, and chose the lucky numbers.The winners were 1, 5, 11, 12, 16, and 45, with bonus ball 24.

Janelle Weber, the store's manager, said she does not know Mr. Mills or if he is a regular Lotto player. The store gets $10,000 for selling the winning ticket.

She said customers and employees had been wondering about the winner's identity for almost a week.

“That was all we talked about,” she said. “It's just been a lot of fun, that's all. People talk about all their different fantasies, and what they want to do with the money.”

Ms. Weber said the store's Super Lotto sales have risen slightly since last week. Customers have told her they want to give themselves a chance at the big money.

“They've stated, `I guess if I don't play I won't win at all.' So we've seen a little bit of an increase,” she said.

The jackpot for tonight's Super Lotto Plus drawing is $5 million.