UNION BRIDGE, MD — A Carroll County woman is celebrating a $50,000 Powerball win after purchasing a $2 quick-pick ticket at a local 7-Eleven.

The longtime lottery player, who chose to remain anonymous and goes by the nickname “V,” won the third-tier prize in the January 25 drawing. She regularly buys tickets at the 7-Eleven located at 120 South Main Street in Union Bridge, a habit she developed more consistently during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After scanning her ticket, “V” saw an unexpected message and scanned it again to confirm the win. “This was a surreal moment you might only dream about,” she told Maryland Lottery officials.

She has only shared the news with close family and plans to use the prize money to renovate her kitchen and make additional home improvements.

Meanwhile, the Powerball jackpot has continued to grow, with an estimated annuity of $154 million and a cash option of $71.4 million for the February 12 drawing.

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