Halifax resident Jackie Alston claims $74.5 million Powerball prize


Published/Last Modified on Friday, February 16, 2007 12:09 PM EST

Herald staff, wire reports
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RALEIGH - RALEIGH (AP) - A former corrections officer stepped forward Friday to claim North Carolina's first big lottery prize, turning in the winning ticket for a $74.5 million Powerball jackpot.

Jackie Alston, 38, of Halifax, bought the ticket at at Travelworld off Interstate 95 in Halifax County, which is owned and operated by Newsom Oil Company. Her ticket was the only one to match all five numbers - 2, 8, 9, 12 and 19 - and the Powerball - 25 - in the Nov. 29 drawing.

“I had to call my brother and have him check it two or three times,” Alston said. “It was exciting. I mean, it was just overwhelming.”

Alston said she had worked for 15 years at Brunswick Correctional Facility in Lawrenceville, Va., before winning the lottery. She resigned from her job in December.

Alston chose to take her winnings in a lump sum of more than $36 million before taxes.

She said she has not yet decided what to do with her money, but has put together a team of advisers.

Lottery officials recently shown a television ad with the winning check and a blank payee line. After a short press conference Friday morning, they presented her with a large ceremonial check and fired confetti into the air.

Copyright © 2010 Roanoke Daily Herald

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