On Thursday, John Ferguson of Curlew, Washington was concerned about car payments, property taxes, and where he would find his next job.
Oh, what a difference a day makes!
Friday, Ferguson redeemed his winning Mega Millions ticket at the Washington Lottery's Spokane Office for his $175,000 prize and is planning visits to see his grandchildren in Alaska and California.
Ferguson is the Washington Lottery's newest big Mega Millions winner. He won with a ticket for last Tuesday's drawing that he purchased at Anderson's Grocery at 711 S. Clark Avenue in Republic. He had the winning White Ball numbers of 6, 9, 20, 40, and 47, just missing the MEGA Ball number 26 to win the $35 million Jackpot. Happy about his $175,000 prize, Ferguson, nevertheless, wanted another shot at the multimillion-dollar Jackpot that he just missed.
For selling the Mega Millions second-prize winning ticket, Anderson's Grocery will get
1 percent of the prize, or $1,750. It will be the first Mega Millions Retailer Selling Bonus awarded since the Lottery began offering the second-tier prize bonuses in October.
"I'm really excited that someone from our area has won a lot of money from the Lottery. I think that's awesome. We're very happy for him," said Anderson's co-owner Kari Beedle.
For years, Ferguson told his friends and loved ones he would win a big Lottery prize someday. The longtime mill worker loved to dream about helping out his family members, paying off his car, and putting money away for a rainy day. Ferguson, a sawyer for a local mill for 27 years, was laid off when the mill closed last May. Though he loves where he lives, he was considering moving over a mountain pass to seek work in Colville. Now, he will take his time to decide on the next job he takes.
"I've been praying to God, saying how worried I was about my finances. I have a $350 monthly car payment for my Subaru Forester that I bought just before I got laid off," he said.
Paying off the car, holiday shopping for his five grandchildren, and airline tickets to visit his far off family members is suddenly affordable, Ferguson said.
"I'll be glad to be able to help my kids out, too."
Ferguson said he knows his big prize is big news in Republic and neighboring towns. When he checked his ticket at a local retailer, the buzz started as soon as the Lottery terminal began beeping.
"I was really surprised. When they told me that, I was just shocked. Everybody in line was talking about it, and two ladies asked if they could rub me for good luck," Ferguson said.
"I was surprised, but it could not have come at a better time."
First time I've heard of an agent bonus for a second-prize MM winner.