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SC Powerball Ticket Wins $259.9M Prize

By KATRINA A. GOGGINS

posted: 18 HOURS 38 MINUTES AGO

comments: 92

filed under: Lottery News, National News

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (Aug. 20) - Someone who bought a Powerball ticket in South Carolina is a whole lot richer.

The single winning ticket for Wednesday's $259.9 million drawing was sold at a gas station and convenience store next to a Wal-Mart in Columbia.

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Big Winners

The single winning ticket for Wednesday's $259.9 million Powerball drawing was sold at a Murphy USA store in Columbia, S.C. So far, no one has come forward to claim the jackpot. "I hope it's one of my regulars," said Amber Baldwin, right, the store's assistant manager. "At this point, it could be anyone."

Mary Ann Chastain, AP

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South Carolina Education Lottery spokeswoman Stephanie Hemminghaus said no one came forward Thursday to claim the prize.

She said the longest someone had waited to claim a similar prize was about two weeks. The winner will have the option of taking a lump sum payment of $129 million or an annuity worth $259.9 million paid out in 29 yearly installments. State and federal taxes will be withheld, and Hemminghaus estimated that someone who took the lump sum payment would end up with about $88 million.

"I hope it's one of my regulars," said Amber Baldwin, assistant manager at the Murphy USA store in Columbia. "At this point, it could be anyone."

Lottery officials said the ticket matched all the winning numbers for the midweek drawing: 14, 24, 31, 43 and 51. The Powerball was 27 and the multiplier was 5.

The Powerball jackpot is the largest ever won with a ticket bought in South Carolina, which has the nation's fourth-highest state unemployment rate. Lottery officials said there's a good chance the winner could live in the state.

"Because of this location ... because so many of our local residents shop at Walmart and because there is a simple path from Walmart to Murphy, we are just so hopeful that this is a lucky South Carolinian or several lucky South Carolinians," said state Education Lottery Executive Director Paula Harper Bethea.

People shuffling in and out of the store where the ticket was sold were also optimistic. Some called relatives from their cell phones to see if they had the winning ticket. Others, like 60-year-old retired mall worker Laura Myers, concluded that they'd better start playing.

"I come here all the time," said Myers, who bought gas and a ticket Thursday. "It could have been me."

Lottery officials hope the winner will come forward within the required 180 days. If not, the money will be divided among the states that operate Powerball.

The game is now played in 30 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2009-08-20 18:59:32

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Citygurlxo57

03:19 PMAug 21 2009

I got the powerball # right. Whoo- hooo $3 here I come

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Chartdavid

03:12 PMAug 21 2009

It is so funny because I can remember when the big lotteries came about and people went crazy. Big prize of a million dollars. Now people can't be bothered since "it's only a million", but let it hit a hundred million, people go crazy again. Funny how we work isn't it...a million isn't worth our time to stand in line....sheeesh, what fools we have become.

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MARKLINCOLN8

02:59 PMAug 21 2009

Whoever it is should cbuy plenty of the anti aging drugs! lol.

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Allenglen6

02:53 PMAug 21 2009

Since I don't want to pay any more taxes, I would take the lump sum pay out let them tax it once I would put the remainder in a non intrest baring account and just live off the money. if you are crazy enough to spend what you have left in this life time you did not deserve to win, and if i only spent one dollar and won this thats just great

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garysheski

02:44 PMAug 21 2009

LIZZYTOOKANAX: Ok already, you didn't have to repeat it 3 times! I know how to read, you momo!

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Penfishingrods

02:41 PMAug 21 2009

Give it another 2 weeks & some LOSER will surface w/ a lawyer claiming they lost the ticket & that they deserve the 259.9 Million! :)M.D., President & CEOPenfishingrods.com

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MAYOSTEVE1

02:39 PMAug 21 2009

WHATS REALLY WRONG IS THE PART THAT THE MONEY WOULD BE DEVIDED UP AMONGST THE STATES THAT OPERATE POWERBALL. IT SHOULD BE PUT BACK INTO THE JACIKPOT. WHAT'S RIGHT IS RIGHT, AND THAT'S JUST WRONG

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Rthrch502

02:20 PMAug 21 2009

well I guess I would be a bonehead cause I sure would claim it if I won it

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Ipimphim143

02:10 PMAug 21 2009

*RMoni... I couldn't agree with you and the poster you were replying to!! Sure it's a lot of taxes BUT... the amount you're left with is ALSO a lot of cash. Enough to live on for the rest of your life, help out family members and help out others. I've always said that if I won the lottery, I'd do just that for my family and then I'd help out the homeless but not in the way you'd think. My way would make SURE that all monies went to a homeless person or family. I have my plan all laid out already and have for the last 8 yrs!! Anyhoo, CONGRATS to the person who won!! Even though I wish it had been me, everytime someone wins, I'm ALWAYS happy for those who did!! My time "may" come but if it doesn't, at least it did for someone right?? ;) Peace

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Rob4892ex

02:09 PMAug 21 2009

To all the misinformed people out there posting on things they know nothing about. You have two way to get the money if you win the big jackpot. A thirty year annuity or a lump sum. Lump sum is always less because the money is not being invested for you by the lottery over the thirty years. Federal goverment takes 25% ( of yearly annuity or lump sum) Every state takes a different amount ( 0 to 8%) ( of yearly annuity or lump sum). If you are smart and use good advisors if is better to take the lump..invest it and live on interest because you will make out better in long run. It is the fools who spend out of control and do not have trusts set up that go broke in four years.

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