UPDATE: Winning $1.22B Mega Millions lottery ticket sells in Cottonwood, California

2024 is ending on a thrilling note for the person who bought Friday's winning Mega Million ticket, which at $1.22 billion was the fifth-largest jackpot in that game's history, according to lottery officials. The ticket sold in Cottonwood, in Shasta County, California."In the middle of the holiday season, a Mega Milllions® ticket-holder in California has a lot to celebrate!" lottery officials announced on the website late Friday night.But the ticket buyer wasn't the only one celebrating. Ishar Gill and his family were at the Circle K Sunshine Food and Gas market at the corner of Rhonda Road and Gas Point Road on Saturday enjoying the sudden fame from the big prize being awarded to the ticket holder, who still had not been identified.Gill said he was happy for the winning ticket and what it will bring Cottonwood and Shasta County."It's exciting, but we're more excited about the community of Cottonwood and for making national headlines, putting Cottonwood in front of people, but we're excited for the winner," Gill said.The family was giving television interviews Saturday morning and posing for photos.Gill's sister, Jaspreet Gill, said the winning ticket was sold some time between Wednesday and Friday, but they had no idea who the winner was.A lottery official called the family about 9:30 p.m. Friday to tell them the ticket was sold from their store."Saying 'Hey, it says your guys' store sold it.' I couldn't believe it at that time, so lottery (workers) confirmed it around 11:30. They called my dad, and they confirmed, 'hey, you guys sold it.' We'll be there tomorrow to check things out and cross, our T's and dot our I's," Ishar Gill said.It was by far the largest prize their store had been involved with during the 21 years the family has owned the market. They had previously sold a Scratcher ticket that paid out a $10,000 prize, Ishar Gill said.Ishar Gill said his father, Jaspal Singh, and the rest of his family will receive up to $1 million for selling the winning ticket.The ticket holder drew all six numbers, 3, 7, 37, 49 and 55, plus the gold Mega Ball 6, according to the lottery website. The amount is the seventh largest Mega Millions jackpot greater than $1 billion.Mega Millions officials said the Dec. 27 drawing alone produced 5,691,299 winning tickets across all prize tiers, in addition to the jackpot-winning ticket. "Five tickets matched the five white balls to win the game’s second-tier prize; two were sold in California, and one each in Arizona, Missouri and Texas," according to lottery officials.Winners can choose to receive one payment right away and then get paid an annuity over 29 years. The cash payout in Friday's drawing is estimated at $549.7 million.The $1 million bonus to the store is the highest a retail partner can earn, California Lottery officials said on Saturday.The two tickets from California that matched the first five numbers correctly were sold at Chevron at Blue Oaks Boulevard and Foothill Boulevard in Roseville, and at Cardenas Market at 2405 E. Highland Ave. in San Bernardino.Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at damon.arthur@redding.com and on Twitter at @damonarthur_RS. Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today!