BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The newest millionaires from New Jersey created from Wednesday’s Powerball drawing bought their tickets at a Super Stop n Shop in South Brunswick of Middlesex County, and at ACME Market in Little Egg Harbor from Ocean County.

Sue Nichel is the first local winner to come forward. Nickel was one of 16 employees in a lottery pool from the Ocean County Vehicle Maintenance Department in Toms River.

Nichel and the other pool members paid $6 apiece to win the Powerball lottery jackpot.According to ABC News, their share of the grand prize would be $149.4 million, or $86 million in a lump sum payout, and $58.3 million after taxes. Dividing that 16 ways leaves Nickel and the others about $3.5 million after taxes.

All 16 of the employees reported for work on Thursday, according to OCVMD director Jim Pine. “I have to work another year and a half and I want my hubby to retire because he’s worked a long time and we haven’t decided on anything other than that,” Nickel said, according to NBC 10 Philadelphia. “I love my job.”

The vehicle maintenance department is responsible for keeping Ocean County’s cars and trucks operational.

CBS New York reported that some of the winners from Ocean County were victims of Hurricane Sandy. According to NBC 10 Philadelphia, Nichel’s home received 7 feet of water from the storm, destroying many of her belongings.

“If they decide to take their winnings and retire on it, we'll deal with it,” Ocean County Administrator Carl Block said, according to NJ.com, "How many times can you say instantaneously you know 16 millionaires? This is about them. It's not about us."

Philly.com reported that New Jersey has now had 7 major jackpot winners for 2013, earning annuity prizes worth more than $865 million.