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News Release
Winning Powerball ticket is better than coffee - 01/22/18

Jan. 18, 2018 - Salem, Ore. -- More coffee. That's what James Wright thought when he checked his Powerball ticket.

"I got up and looked at the ticket and decided to check the numbers from my phone," he said. "I was bleary-eyed because it was early. I saw I missed the Powerball, but then the numbers matched up. I thought it couldn't be right. So I had some coffee and checked again."

After checking it a second time -- and having his heart skip a beat -- he woke his wife up and told her, "We have something special here.

"Overall it was a very surreal experience," he said.

Wright's winning numbers were 14-25-35-58-69, but he missed the Powerball number of 19 for the Saturday, Jan. 13 drawing for a prize of $1 million. The jackpot was $50 million. He purchased his ticket from the 7-Eleven on Willamette Drive in West Linn.

Oregon Lottery officials will be at the 7-Eleven off of Willamette Drive in West Linn at noon on Tuesday to present the owner of the franchise with an oversized ceremonial check for $10,000. Retailers who sell winning tickets receive a 1-percent selling bonus up to $100,000. During the event, Lottery officials will also be handing out a limited number for free Powerball coupons.

Wright's prize was the third large Powerball prize won in Oregon this month. On Jan. 11, Reggie Pearne of Jacksonville, won $1 million playing Powerball. And on Jan. 4, Ronald Ceci of Grants Pass won $2 million playing Powerball. He selected the Power Play option for an additional $1, which doubled his prize to a total of $2 million.

During the 2015-17 biennium in Clackamas County, where the West Linn Lottery retailer is located, more than $55.5 million in Oregon Lottery proceeds were directed to economic development, parks, education and watershed enhancement.

Lottery officials recommend that you always sign the back of your tickets with each Oregon Lottery game you play, to ensure you can claim any prize you may win. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Prize winners of more than $50,000 should contact the Lottery office to schedule an appointment to claim their prize.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $11 billion for economic development, public education, state parks and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org


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