RALEIGH – Fredy Gonzalez of Siler City says he will use the $100,000 he won playing the Crossword 10X game to pay off the mortgage on his home.

Gonzalez, a furniture warehouse worker, purchased the lucky $5 ticket at the Rite Stop on East 11th Street in Siler City on Friday.

“I scratched off the ticket right there in the parking lot,” Gonzalez said. “I was so excited. I’m very happy.”

After state and federal taxes were withheld, Gonzalez received a check for $69,251. As of Tuesday afternoon, no more top prizes remain to be claimed in the game.

Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.6 billion for the state. 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, for school construction and repair, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

For details on how $19 million in lottery funds have made a difference for specific education programs in Chatham County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.