(Boise, ID) Apparently lightning does strike twice in the same place. Almost ten years ago, Pam Hiatt of Boise bought a ticket at Jacksons Food Store on Orchard Street, near the freeway. She won a little over $87-million. That same store has now sold another grand prize winner, this one worth $220.3-million. It’s the 10^th largest lottery jackpot in world history and the largest jackpot ever in Idaho. 

The winner now has some big decisions to make. Do they take the one time cash option of $125,315,236.79, with a payout of around $84-million after taxes, or 30 payments of nearly $7.4-million each year before taxes? 

The winner isn’t the only one getting a huge windfall. The state of Idaho will receive almost $10-million on the cash option. And Jacksons Food Stores will get a check for $50,000 for selling the winning ticket.

The winning numbers were selected by the person or persons who bought the ticket with the second row of numbers hitting the jackpot. Ironically, the same ticket contained a $5,000 winner, now mere pocket change compared to the grand prize.

“The first thing the winner should do is sign the back of the ticket,” said Lottery Director Roger Simmons. “Then put the ticket in a safe place, call an attorney, get a good accountant and financial advisor. The winner probably should consider changing their phone number.”

This is the second Powerball grand prize winner in Idaho in the last three months. In February, 22-year-old Eric Kyle of Boise won $18.7-million. Before that, Idaho had gone more than eight years without a grand prize winner. This current jackpot is two-and-a-half times larger than the one won by Hiatt in June of 1995.

The largest Powerball jackpot ever won by a single-ticket holder was $314.9-million in 2002 on Christmas Day. Powerball is played in 27 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands.

For additional information, call Roger Simmons at 334-2600.