(Clive, IA) -- A northeast Iowa man has claimed a million dollar Mega Millions lottery prize, but also gave himself a bit of a scare when he realized he'd left the ticket at a store after learning he'd won. Tad Alber of West Union says he had been working at the West Union Event Center, owned by his family, and decided to go to a local store for some chicken. While there, he asked the clerks to check his Mega Millions tickets. He says when a clerk said he'd won $1 million he was so excited he left the winning ticket behind. He returned to the Event Center to share the news, when the sister of his sister-in-law called and told Tad to return to get the winning ticket he'd left there.
Alber bought his $1 million-winning ticket at Casey’s, 200 W. Main St. in Ossian. His ticket came within one number of having at least a share of Friday’s $99 million jackpot, matching the first five numbers but missing the Mega Ball. It was the only $1 million-winning ticket nationwide in Friday’s drawing.
Alber said that he plans to use a portion of his winnings to buy and reopen his brother's restaurant in Clermont, which closed during the pandemic.
“I think it’s time for it to re-open up and now I’ve got the money that I can do it,” he said.