Two $1 million wins as players statewide cash in

From big cities like Charlotte and Raleigh to small towns Leland and Pfafftown, seven players won $100,000 to $1 million this week. And 24 more from across the state cashed in prizes of $5,000 to $75,000.

Two men from Raleigh had luck on their side in the Saturday, Dec. 3 drawings. Leo Yranian won the $261,797 Cash 5 jackpot thanks to a lucky ticket he bought at the Garner family Fare on U.S. 70. And, after buying a Powerball ticket at the Hasty Mart on Main Street in Wake Forest, Donnell Rochelle won $1 million.

Another $1 million prize went to Kenneth Lambert of Lumberton who played Carolina Millions. He said that he'd use the prize money to pay for his son's college education. The winnings also mean, Lambert said, that his wife could pursue a career as a nurse practitioner. He bought the winning ticket at the Short Stop on Owen Drive in Fayetteville.

A player from Craven County won the $120,000 Cash 5 jackpot in Tuesday's drawing. Linda McCaskill of Havelock bought the winning ticket at the Jim Dandy on Fontana Boulevard in her hometown.

Thanks to the Cash 5 $100K Days promotion, two more players won $100,000, double the regular starting jackpot. Donzwella Dykes of Pfafftown won in the Nov. 1 drawing and Serena Perkins of Leland won in the Dec. 7 drawing. The promotion ends Saturday. Stay tuned for details about a special Pick 4 promotion that will kick off on New Year's Day :-)

An instant prize of $100,000 belongs to Gregory Jones of Charlotte. He bought a lucky Mega Bucks ticket at the BP Food Mart on West Sugar Creek Road in the Queen City.

Seven more players scratched their way to big wins:

- Craig Thomas of Timberlake: $75,000 (Loteria)
- Shandella Kirkpatrick of Charlotte: $50,000 (Junior Big Ol' Bucks)
- Trevon Harris of Oxford: $50,000 ($50,000 Platinum Payout)
- Elisha Hester of Richlands: $10,000 (Jumbo Bucks)
- Gary Hall of North Wilkesboro: $10,000 (Loteria)
- Yancy Tovar-Landin of Browns Summit: $10,000 ($1,000,000 Bonus Cash)
- Ida Bigelow of Greensboro: $7,000 (Lucky 7's)

And 17 players claimed $5,000 prizes. Four of them are from Charlotte, three are from Raleigh, and two are from Raeford. The other eight are from: Concord, Denton, Greensboro, Hertford, Marvin, Morganton, Rockingham, and Shelby.

Baby, it's cold outside! Y'all stay warm and safe and have a great weekend.