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26-year-old Iowan wins $853,000 lottery prize
Powerball: 26-year-old Iowan wins $853,000 lottery prize
Alicia Rhomberg, a youth services worker from Hiawatha, Iowa, claimed a second-tier prize of $853,000 Thursday from Wednesday night's Powerball jackpot drawing.
Rhomberg, 26, who purchased her ticket at a Cedar Rapids convenience store, matched the first five numbers in the drawing, but missed the Powerball. She won a $200,000 prize, and claimed an additional $653,000 under a "Match 5" bonus, Iowa Lottery officials said.
Rhomberg, who is married and has a child, said she won't quit her job and plans to continue her college studies to become an elementary school teacher.
This was the first time Rhomberg said she had ever purchased an Iowa lottery ticket, but she had a premonition she was going to win.
"I am satisified with this amount," she told reporters at a Des Moines news conference.
Rhomberg learned early Thursday morning she had won the cash as she worked an overnight shift. She said she called her husband at 5 a.m., and he responded by saying, "What time is it?"
"I told him to go back to sleep," she said.
Wednesday night was the first time the "Match 5" bonus took effect in Powerball, although the feature had been added to the game in 2002. Under the bonus system, when the Powerball jackpot reaches record heights, a new prize pool is created to give more people a chance to win a big check.
Forty-seven Powerball tickets nationally shared the bonus pool money, Iowa Lottery Vice President Mary Neubauer said.
Separately, a Powerball ticket sold at the Big 10 Mart in Hiawatha produced a $50,000 prize already claimed this morning by Gary Duenow of Cedar Rapids.
He matched four of the white numbers, plus the Powerball and had added a "Power Play" option for $1 which multiplied his prize, Neubauer said.
Des Moines Register
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20 comments. Last comment 4 years ago by .
United States Member #12856 March 18, 2005 2060 Posts Offline |
| Posted: October 20, 2005, 10:14 pm - IP Logged |
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I guessing that we'll be seeing about 40 more stories of the second prizes winners. Heh.  Dance like no one is watching.
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New Member  Louisville,KY United States Member #24044 October 15, 2005 45 Posts Offline |
| Posted: October 20, 2005, 10:43 pm - IP Logged |
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Well here in my city, there was one Match 5 winner and they already received their prize. A group of about 25 went in. Mostly blue collar workers who look like they can really use the money. Each got about 25,000. One guy will use it to take his daughter to Disney World.
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new delhi India Member #22479 September 20, 2005 174 Posts Offline |
| Posted: October 21, 2005, 1:02 am - IP Logged |
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Here's cheers to Alicia, the fortunate 26 yr old...good for her
I hope theres another roll over soon!
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Portland United States Member #7399 September 27, 2004 111 Posts Offline |
| Posted: October 21, 2005, 11:24 am - IP Logged |
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Congratulations to the winner!!
PS: How about the jackpot winner's photo and story ?
I really can't wait to know!!
Signature and seal
nomoneybabe, the loser
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United States
Member #1793
June 29, 2003
1156 Posts
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| Posted: October 21, 2005, 12:19 pm - IP Logged |
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I think everyone should win whether they could use the money or not,I enjoy hearing about people wining money in the Lottery games.
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New Member Louisville,KY United States Member #24044 October 15, 2005 45 Posts Offline |
| Posted: October 21, 2005, 12:41 pm - IP Logged |
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Yeah it's a good thing if someone needs the money-they can now do things they couldn't afford to do before winning-like vacations,nice cars,a nice home,etc
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United States
Member #1793
June 29, 2003
1156 Posts
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| Posted: October 21, 2005, 1:02 pm - IP Logged |
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Denver, CO United States Member #13716 April 6, 2005 68 Posts Offline |
| Posted: October 21, 2005, 8:06 pm - IP Logged |
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Its always good to hear stories like this one. Ladyluck2005
Carpe Diem
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Ottawa Canada Member #6279 August 10, 2004 20 Posts Offline |
| Posted: October 22, 2005, 2:18 am - IP Logged |
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"I am satisified with this amount," she told reporters at a Des Moines news conference.
Translation - "Darn it! Darn it! Darn it! If only I could have got that darn powerball number I would have had so much more!!!"
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United States
Member #380
June 5, 2002
11297 Posts
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| Posted: October 22, 2005, 3:27 pm - IP Logged |
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Nice story. Maybe Mega Millions also should have a soft jackpot cap.
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United States Member #12856 March 18, 2005 2060 Posts Offline |
| Posted: October 22, 2005, 3:48 pm - IP Logged |
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I think everyone should win whether they could use the money or not,I enjoy hearing about people wining money in the Lottery games.
I also like reading about the winners. Dance like no one is watching.
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Sparta, NJ United States Member #18644 July 9, 2005 1977 Posts Offline |
| Posted: October 22, 2005, 5:35 pm - IP Logged |
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I think everyone should win whether they could use the money or not,I enjoy hearing about people wining money in the Lottery games.
I also like reading about the winners.
Don't tell anyone I said this, but I like to read about them too! 
|||::> *'`*:-.,_,.-:*''*:--->>> Chewie <<<---.*''*:-.,_,.-:*''* <:::|||
I only trust myself - and that's a questionable choice
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United States
Member #380
June 5, 2002
11297 Posts
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| Posted: October 23, 2005, 7:14 pm - IP Logged |
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I like to read about lottery winners too. Except of those who don't collect in lump sum.
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New Member Texas United States Member #24957 October 24, 2005 2 Posts Offline |
| Posted: October 24, 2005, 10:25 pm - IP Logged |
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Did the ones who won the 853000 multiply their winnings with multiplier?
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