Clinton Jones, a retired engineer from Kernersville, claimed Monday his share of the Sept. 4 Carolina Cash 5 jackpot, taking home $158,135.
Jones, who likes to play Cash 5 when the jackpot goes over a quarter of a million dollars, said he had no particular plans for his winnings. After state and federal taxes were withheld, he received $109,432.
“I’m feeling lucky,” Jones said as he collected his winnings at lottery headquarters. “You hope one day you will win like this. I don’t play figuring I will win. I play it as a fun thing, hoping I will win.”
Jones said he’s been playing the same five numbers for about two years. His lucky ticket, purchased at the AAA Mart on N.C. 66 South in Kernersville, was one of three winners of Thursday’s jackpot of $474,405. Each of the three was worth $158,135, a third of the jackpot. The odds of winning the Cash 5 jackpot are 1 in 575,757.
The other two winners have also claimed their shares of the jackpot. Randel Holland, a Raleigh businessman, claimed his prize on Friday. Patrick Lingo of Salisbury, an assistant manager in an auto repair shop, claimed his prize on Monday.
Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.4 billion for the state. North Carolina Education Lottery net proceeds will be used this year to help pay salaries of teachers and teacher assistants, for pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, school construction and repair, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.
For details on how more than $97 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Forsyth County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.