Grocery store trip ends with $100,000 Powerball win for North Royalton woman
NORTH ROYALTON, OH — A quick stop at the grocery store for holiday preparations turned into a six-figure windfall for a North Royalton woman who decided to buy a Powerball ticket on impulse after spotting a display near her checkout lane.
While shopping at the Giant Eagle on North Royalton Road, she joined the line to buy a ticket for the $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot and purchased two tickets before heading home. The next morning, as she was preparing to leave town for the holidays, she checked the winning numbers from the December 22 drawing — 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 and Powerball 7 — and realized she had matched four white balls and the Powerball.
Initially believing she had won $50,000, she phoned her daughter to double-check. The daughter confirmed the win — and then called back with even bigger news: because the woman had added Power Play to her ticket, her prize doubled to $100,000.
According to the Ohio Lottery, the odds of winning that prize combination are 1 in 913,129. After taxes totaling 26.75%, she will take home $73,250.
The woman said the money is life-changing. Her rent had just increased, forcing her to cancel her cable service. With the winnings, she was able to restore her service and plans to buy a new bed. Living on social security, she said the money will give her peace of mind and help cover bills that had become a growing concern.
The winning ticket was purchased at Giant Eagle #204 at 6000 N. Royalton Rd. Powerball drawings are held three times a week — on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday — with the next drawing set for Saturday, January 17, and an estimated jackpot of $179 million.
Since 1974, the Ohio Lottery has contributed more than $34 billion to education programs throughout the state.
Key Points
• North Royalton woman won $100,000 with a Powerball ticket purchased at a Giant Eagle store
• She initially believed she won $50,000 but doubled her prize with Power Play
• The winnings will help cover rising living expenses and offer financial relief