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Powerball lottery winners talk about hitting the jackpot
Powerball: Powerball lottery winners talk about hitting the jackpot
Remember the Powerball winners from southern Oregon? Well, they almost didn't win.
When Carolyn West's parents asked her if she wanted to "go in" on a Powerball ticket, her husband told her not to waste her money. She didn't listen to him, and it turned out to be a decision worth millions.
"I told my wife we never win at that, let's go up to Seven Feathers and play some blackjack and have a good evening, but she has a mind of her own so she whispered to her dad and mom, 'go ahead, we'll go in with you,' and the rest is history," Steve West said during an interview Monday.
The two couples — Steve and Carolyn West and Bob and Frances Cheney — will split the $340 million jackpot. They plan to cash in the ticket in on Tuesday at the Oregon Lottery headquarters in Salem.
Carolyn West said she feels relieved that she and her husband won't have to worry about paying for a college education for their children.
When asked what they'll do if their kids develop an appetite for expensive gifts, the couple said they've already addressed that.
"We've already told them Christmas is going to be just like it's always been…we're not going to change anything," Steve West said.
After taxes, the money would come to $7.6 million a year for 30 years or a lump sum of $110 million.
The families live in the small town of Jacksonville, where they bought the winning ticket last month.
KGW
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93 comments. Last comment 4 years ago by .
Coastal Georgia United States Member #2703 October 30, 2003 1868 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 2:52 pm - IP Logged |
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"We've already told them Christmas is going to be just like it's always been…we're not going to change anything," Steve West said
Yeah, Right !!!!
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Atlantic Mine, Michigan United States Member #417 June 23, 2002 1593 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 2:57 pm - IP Logged |
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"Good we matched the powerball, we won at least $5" For jackpot winners it didn't seem like they knew much about the game. But congratulations to them. At least they weren't millionaires already like the last record powerball winner. haha
Brad
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United States Member #24967 October 25, 2005 66 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 3:19 pm - IP Logged |
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damn, it's so exciting watching winning stories, i don't know why
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MD United States Member #1735 June 18, 2003 5794 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 3:31 pm - IP Logged |
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I like the part where she said she checked several Internet sites so you just got to know she found this site wonder if she will reply to these threads to verify that fact.
I'm glad they got the hard part over with. Now the fun begins and they will have a lifetime to do everything they always dreamed of doing. Congratulations to them.
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South Carolina
United States
Member #25893
November 8, 2005
3 Posts
Offline
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| Posted: November 8, 2005, 5:45 pm - IP Logged |
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this don't add up. steve said he didn't want to buy any tickets he just wanted to go to bull feathers and [play blackjack} carolynn whispered in her mom & dads ear that she would go in with them. the next story says they were just ridind around and decided to buy some tickets. something just don't sound right about this. maybe they are confussed like grandpa saying he bought a humbee.
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Sparta, NJ United States Member #18644 July 9, 2005 1977 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 5:48 pm - IP Logged |
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Ahhhh, nice to know that their life isn't going to change. Same $20.00 limit on Christmas gifts, pay for college, and go back to normal.
I can smell it all the way to New Jersey! 
|||::> *'`*:-.,_,.-:*''*:--->>> Chewie <<<---.*''*:-.,_,.-:*''* <:::|||
I only trust myself - and that's a questionable choice
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United States Member #24782 October 22, 2005 515 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 6:33 pm - IP Logged |
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this don't add up. steve said he didn't want to buy any tickets he just wanted to go to bull feathers and [play blackjack} carolynn whispered in her mom & dads ear that she would go in with them. the next story says they were just ridind around and decided to buy some tickets. something just don't sound right about this. maybe they are confussed like grandpa saying he bought a humbee.
It all really sounds suspicious.
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Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 17052 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 6:34 pm - IP Logged |
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this don't add up. steve said he didn't want to buy any tickets he just wanted to go to bull feathers and [play blackjack} carolynn whispered in her mom & dads ear that she would go in with them. the next story says they were just ridind around and decided to buy some tickets. something just don't sound right about this. maybe they are confussed like grandpa saying he bought a humbee.
I'm glad someone else picked up on that "humbee" comment.  Personally, I was wondering what the heck he wanted to buy it for, when he can't even drive! I guess anyone who wins the lottery needs to buy a new car, no matter what. It's like salmon going back to their native streams.
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United States Member #12856 March 18, 2005 2060 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 6:37 pm - IP Logged |
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They all seem confused. They can't even keep their stories straight on how they bought the tickets in the first place.  Dance like no one is watching.
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IL United States Member #15418 May 10, 2005 103 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 6:55 pm - IP Logged |
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Am I the only one who wouldn't want to be on tv if I won the lottery ? The old guy doesn't look to good, he looks like me might not live to much longer. Atleast the kids should enjoy the money as long as they let people forget what they look like. When I win I'll do as little as the lottery will let me, and no Tv interviews.
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md United States Member #14305 April 20, 2005 442 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 7:45 pm - IP Logged |
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bks2-
You are not alone. When I win tonight, I'll live the rest of my life proving, you can live without being in front of the press, tv.'s microphones, etc. It will be a little like $30,000,000 less than the West's money, but $82,000,000 overall is not a bad haul. lolololololo
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new delhi India Member #22479 September 20, 2005 174 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 8:53 pm - IP Logged |
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hellooooo...I'm planning to win...5 tkts from PTS lucky pix...
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New Member  Louisville,KY United States Member #24044 October 15, 2005 45 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 8:53 pm - IP Logged |
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Well, they got that over with. Now we can move on with life LOL. BTW has Missouri's winner stepped forward yet?
2 observations I noticed:
1) Does anyone think Mr. Chaney looks like Fred Mertz (that's the name I think) from I Love Lucy?
2) Is plaid still in? Not being rude, I don't see alot of people wear plaid nowadays. When I saw Mrs. West wear it, I wondered if it is still popular. Just wondering LOL
Other than that, seems like a pretty regular family. I didn't see what they had on the family since I was at work but to me, the Wests/Chaneys don't look as creepy as the family we all got to know in love up in the coal mine state of West Virginia!
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United States Member #10921 January 23, 2005 863 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 8, 2005, 9:00 pm - IP Logged |
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If they do have a "normal" Christmas I will feel happy for them. Normal like when I was a kid and Father Claus would send me upstairs and put presents under the tree and there were cookies baking in the oven and carolers at the door. We weren't rich or anything but I miss those days. If you can afford to give a gift to everyone you love then it's just as good as for any jackpot winners (or better, in some cases).
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