Pair of $1 million wins top best of the week

Cold temperatures in North Carolina this week caused widespread closings, delays and slow-downs on the roads. But not even Old Man Winter could stop Lady Luck, as two $1 million prizes were among the more than $22.9 million won statewide this week.

A lucky feeling led a Raleigh woman and her two brothers to their $1 million Powerball prize in Feb. 11 drawing. Catherine Harris said she woke up that morning with a feeling it was going to be a great day. “I can’t explain it,” she said. “I’ve never had a feeling like that before. I just felt lucky. Then I heard on the radio that the jackpot was really big and decided to stop for gas. Then I called my brothers and told them both that I was going to win the lottery today and asked if they wanted to buy tickets with me. They agreed and then we played the waiting game until that night’s drawing.”

They weren't the only players to cash in a Powerball ticket for prize money this week. Sonia Escobedo of Weaverville collected the $10,000 she won after her ticket matched all four white balls and the Powerball in the same Feb. 11 drawing.

Alex Walls of Laurinburg says that outside of his lovely wife, winning $1 million on a scratch-off ticket is the best Valentine’s Day gift he’s ever received. Walls won the top prize in the lottery’s new 50X The Cash game. He purchased the lucky $10 ticket on Feb. 14 at the Starflite Convenience Store on East Hamlet Avenue in Hamlet.

Carolina Pick 3 players won more than $1.1 million on Feb. 19 when the combination 2-1-9 appeared in the drawing that night.

A Brunswick County man claimed his share of Wednesday's $157,548 Cash 5 jackpot. Ronald Pezzote of Winnabow had one of three tickets that matched all five numbers, making his share worth $52,524. Pezzote, who is self-employed, collected his winnings at the same place he bought his lucky ticket: The lottery’s Wilmington claim center. There, he said that it felt “awesome” when he realized he won and hinted that his prize money might mean a trip to Disney World.

The other tickets to win shares of the jackpot Wednesday night were sold at The Handy Corner on Webb Avenue in Burlington and at the Rite Aid on Raeford Road in Fayetteville.

Another recent Cash 5 winner claimed his prize money this week. Gary Massiello of Mount Pleasant won $69,198 in the Feb. 13 drawing.

Four players won $50,000 instantly this week. William Bryant of Battleboro and James Alexander of Charlotte each won playing $200 Million Blowout. And it was lucky 50X the Cash tickets that led to $50,000 apiece for Barbara Miller of Hudson and Danielle Jones of Raleigh.

Twelve more players scratched off big wins this week. They are:

• Virgilio Barreto of Charlotte: $10,000 ($4,000,000 Multiplier Spectacular)
• Greg Smith of Cherokee: $10,000 ($200 Million Blowout)
  
• Ernest Witherspoon of Durham: $25,000 ($200,000 Jackpot)
  
• Charlest Benedict of Durham: $10,000 (20X the Cash)
  
• Virgile Ramsey of Enka: $10,000 (20X the Cash)
  
• Martin Hughes of Fayetteville: $10,000 ($4,000,000 Multiplier Spectacular)
  
• Ronnie Johnson of Garner: $10,000 (Golden 7's)
  
• Carolyn Parker of Greenville: $10,000 (5X the Cash)
  
• Thurnall Robertson of Greenville: $10,000 (Jumbo Bucks)
  
• Henry Harris of High Point: $10,000 (20X the Cash)
  
• Brenda Williams of Wilmington: $10,000 (50X the Cash)
  
• Kimberly Ahlstrom of Winston-Salem: $10,000 ($120 Million Cash)
  

In all, instant players won more than $18 million and draw game players added $4.9 million more.

So until next time, stay safe – and warm! – and, of course, good luck. See you soon here in the Lucke-Zone.