LANSING, September 19, 2006 - Janice Nieddu has been playing the Lottery for 18 years and on Sept. 8 she matched four white ball numbers and the Mega ball number to win $10,000 in the Mega Millions game.

She hid her ticket in her home, in a "special case" before claiming her prize at the Lottery office in Sterling Heights.  She has no immediate plans for her prize money.

The lucky winner, who enjoys traveling, purchased the winning easy-pick ticket at 15 & Mound Deli, 35030 Mound Rd., in Sterling Heights.

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 more than 10,000 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 2005, the contribution was $667.6 million.

For additional information, please visit the Lottery's Web site at www.michigan.gov/lottery.

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