Freddie Hands, Ronald Edward and Douglas Tedford are Central New York's newest millionaires.
Winners in the $26 million Mega Millions jackpot receive their prize today at the Price Chopper store on Erie Boulevard in Syracuse, where they bought the ticket. (Left to right) Douglass Tedford of Canastota, Ronald Edwards of Syracuse and Freddie Hands of Syracuse all work at New Process Gear. Syracuse, NY -- Freddie Hands, Ronald Edward and Douglas Tedford are Central New York's newest millionaires, thanks to their winning ticket in the June 22 Mega Millions lottery drawing.
State Lottery officials presented the trio at 11 a.m. at the Price Chopper supermarket at Erie Boulevard East and South Midler Avenue, the place where they bought their winning ticket.
The jackpot was $26 million to be paid over 26 years, but the winners chose the cash option so they will split a smaller lump sum. They will each receive $5.6 million before taxes.
Jackpot amount and the trio's winning numbers -- 12, 17, 21, 23, 30, and the Megaball number 24 -- were frosted onto a big sheet cake that Price Chopper served at the presentation, held outdoors under the store's entry awning amid its displays of garden flowers and herbs.
The winning numbers, selected by Hands, were the jersey numbers of favorite athletes -- 12 for Roger Staubach, 17 for John Havlicek, 21 for Dave Bing, 23 for Michael Jordan, 30 for Terrell Davis and 24 for Sam Jones.
Hands and Edwards, both of Syracuse, and Tedford, a Canastota resident, have been playing Mega Millions together every Tuesday and Friday for five years. Hands, 55, and Edwards,47, both are machine operators at New Process Gear. Tedford, 47, is job setter.