LANSING, February 21, 2003 – Harold Wren Jr. of Monroe couldn’t believe his eyes upon learning he had matched the first five numbers in the February 7 Mega Millions drawing to win a $175,000 prize!  The winning numbers for that day’s drawing were: 3, 9, 20, 26, 27 and the Gold Mega Ball number was 50.

The winning Mega Millions "easy pick" ticket was purchased at Frenchtown Market Inc., 1837 N. Monroe St., in Monroe.

"I stayed awake to watch the Mega Millions drawing on the WGN-Chicago news broadcast," said Wren.  "I was completely shocked to learn I had matched the first five numbers.  I immediately called my family to tell them I was a big winner!"

The 76-year-old winner, who is retired from Motor Wheel, said he kept the winning ticket in a filing cabinet to ensure its safety before turning it in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing.  Wren told Lottery officials he does not yet have any special plans for his winnings.

On Wednesday, May 15, 2002 Mega Millions replaced The Big Game.  Mega Millions is a multistate lottery game in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Washington.  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 tonight, Friday, February 21, with an estimated jackpot of $10 million.  For more information about Mega Millions, visit the Michigan Lottery’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/lottery.

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