Winning Mega ticket purchased at Georgia store

PORTAL, Ga. -- A small Georgia town is buzzing with activity after Georgia Lottery officials said Saturday that the winning ticket to the $270 million Mega Millions drawing was purchased at a convenience store there.

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

"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.

Hodges said a regular customer who he described as a middle aged housewife bought the ticket on Friday before the evening drawing. He said the ticket was purchased for the woman's family.

"It happened to a nice lady; I think this lady really deserves it," Hodges said.

The Georgia Lottery has not yet confirmed a winner because the winning ticket must be presented for verification and the lottery offices are closed until Monday, Reddick said.

Under the cash option, the winner would receive a lump sum of $164 million. Under the lottery's annuity option, the winner would receive about $10.3 million a year for 26 years, Reddick said.

In addition to the grand prize winner, 36 players matched all five numbers but not the Mega Ball number. They will receive second prizes of $250,000 each.