FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                CONTACT: David Workman

December 15, 2005                                                                             (208) 334-2600

 

 

$1M Powerball Winner from Homedale, Idaho

 

Boise – Lee Atkins, a hay farmer from Homedale, Idaho won $1 million in the December 14, 2005 Powerball draw.  “Well, that’s real nice,” he said in his soft spoken, understated manner when he found out he’d won.  “I’m a little bit shaky, now.”

 

A regular Powerball player Lee, 60, has bought two tickets a week for years and seemed to recall winning $100 once and $500 another time. “This is the nicest one, though.”  

 

Lee matched five numbers in Wednesday night’s draw, and being a regular player, knew to pick up the power play option. The power play is a $1 option when you purchase your Powerball ticket and multiplies non-jackpot winnings by a factor of 2 to 5, depending on the number drawn. Last night that option multiplied Lee’s winnings by 5 and turned $200,000 into $1 million.

 

Lee purchased the ticket at Jacksons Food Store in Homedale, a small farming community of 2,500 along the Snake River near the Idahoand Oregon border. “This is a big deal for Homedale and for Mr. Atkins. We’re very excited for him,” said Andrea Jackson, President of Jacksons, who grew up in Homedale. “Our store manager said he comes to the store every day and is a nice, hard working man. We’re so pleased when good things happen for our customers.”

 

Lee watched the Powerball draw during the Channel 2 News Broadcast right before the weather.  When he checked his numbers, he went and woke up his wife Sharon and said, “I think we got some money.” 

 

Lee has lived on his farm since 1948 and bought the property from his father. “I’d like to retire soon, so I hope this will provide me with a nice monthly income.”

 

The Idaho Lottery: Benefiting Idaho public schools and buildings. Please play responsibly.

 

 

 

# # #