Very Happy New Year

Short-order cook Johnnie Ely, 66, came to work at 4 a.m. just as he always did, but this time it was to tell his boss he had just hit a $100 million jackpot in the New Year’s Eve Millennium Millions, the biggest jackpot in New York history. Ely opted for a lump-sum payment of $44 million. It will be about $27 million after taxes. “It’s cool, real cool to be able to do all the things you’ve always dreamed about doing,” said Ely. “I don’t need nothing. As long as I keep the good health I’ve had through the years, what else does a man really need?” He said he planned to take care of his extended family, including helping several nieces and nephews through college, but beyond quitting his job, had no plans.