Iowa single mom claims half of $687.8 million Powerball lottery jackpot

Comment #41

Bleudog101 — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 15:02:14 GMT

Wonder when Todd will run the story on the Harlem man who just claimed the other half

Comment #40

music* — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 09:56:02 GMT

If I remember correctly Mavis Wanczyk also used the # 4 as her Power Ball number. Mavis said, Her family uses the number 4 in keno .

Comment #39

CDanaT — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 14:04:02 GMT

Comment #38

OldSchoolPa — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 12:06:27 GMT

I have a simple solution: simply wear a mask to conceal your facial identity and move to a new residence. Everyone knows what Bill Gates, Mike Zuckerburg, Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey, Mark Cuban, and Jeff Bezos look like. I don't see them having any issues with people knowing that they are more than loaded.

The issue that people think this pose is that these winners will want to continue to hang around with the same people and live in the same residence as when they were working class like... [ More ]

Comment #37

OldSchoolPa — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 11:56:57 GMT

I won $4. Sure could have used that jackpot myself as an ill-timed investment has me living paycheck to paycheck with huge important basic expenses such as life, auto, health and dental insurance premiums, professional licensing renewal costs, and school fees for sub-6 year old children slamiming me at this time. But I would not for a minute consider petitioning any lottery winner for a handout as I believe in working my way out of my current predicament.

Great story. Still kicking around the... [ More ]

Comment #36

KY Floyd — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 07:07:54 GMT

The 55 cents/ mile is an amount the IRS allows you to deduct from your income on a profit loss statement( Schedule C).

Do you suppose there's a reason they settled on 55 cents per mile

Comment #35

Coin Toss — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 00:12:33 GMT

The less you flash

the longer you'll keep the cash

Comment #34

Tucker Black — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 20:55:50 GMT

Even if you could remain officially anonymous, could you remain practically anonymous? As in, your neighbors don't know, your co-workers don't know, etc.? That gets more difficult as your winnings increase.

If you win hundreds of millions of dollars, that's impossible. Save yourself the time and money and buy tickets locally. The cost of moving is a drop in the bucket if you win big.

Comment #33

TheMeatman2005 — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 17:56:54 GMT

The 55 cents/ mile is an amount the IRS allows you to deduct from your income on a profit loss statement( Schedule C).

I don't think they would consider buying lottery tickets as part of doing business.

Comment #32

KY Floyd — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 07:22:23 GMT

I would rather go to a state where I can be anonymous.

I'd prefer to buy tickets in an anonymous state, too, but the nearest store where I can do that is almost 50 miles away. Using the IRS' rate of 55 cents per mile it would cost me $55 and a couple of hours of my time to get them there. That's a pretty hefty premium, especially when the chances of turning a profit are less than 1 in 1000, even if I figure the cost of getting there means that buying 10 tickets is sensible.

Comment #31

rundown99 — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 06:03:56 GMT

I would rather go to a state where I can be anonymous. I live in a state where the winner's identity is public information.

Comment #30

oate — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 21:33:42 GMT

The only way to be an anonymous winner living in a state that doesn't allow anonymous claims or claims through a trust is to buy your ticket in a state that does allow it. This is because you have to claim in the state where you purchased your ticket, and you are subject to that state's rules, not your home state's. The anonymous winner of the big pot in SC may well have been from a nearby state where anonymous claims are not permitted.

If it's too far to drive to one of the special states, t... [ More ]

Comment #29

brees2012 — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 21:03:50 GMT

All states should be anonymous , I understand there's states already anonymous .

How can you avoid to be anonymous if your state has it where you've to face the media.

Can you've your Attorney turn the lottery ticket in ? There's many decisions to take

when winning the lottery .

Comment #28

brees2012 — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 20:56:29 GMT

Thank you Redd55 for your information .

Comment #27

brees2012 — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 20:53:10 GMT

Thank you .....Music for your valuable information .

Comment #26

Artist77 — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 11:49:00 GMT

Why? It could be done. She never said it was fully up and running with all the paperwork filed, etc. If you read the info on the website, it said it is currently being established. A website can be created in a few hours. That website would also serve to keep fewer people from approaching her for money.

Comment #25

SilverFast — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 05:17:25 GMT

It s surprising how Lerynne West created a foundation (The Callum Foundation) and a website within 10 days of the drawing (October 27, 2018).

Comment #24

Verokaht1 — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 05:04:49 GMT

I would have claimed anonymous and continued living my life; I'd never reveal to the public that I've won, honestly speaking...it's no one's business. Thankfully in MD you can remain anonymous.

Comment #23

Cassie8620 — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 04:56:07 GMT

omg i know. good 1 coin toss. yep... I truly am so happy some 1 in NYC spanish harlem they call it, had won who really need it i am sure of that. and i am happy for this lady too! Only fifty or fifty one years old, in her early fifties= still YOUNG enough to have fun, help others as i love to do, to be able to then give so much to family(her loved ones) and help more, just relax, have fun! and enjoy life more with less stress, at such age, to spend/enjoy/invest and re-invest, retire early a man

Comment #22

Coin Toss — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 04:34:34 GMT

Good thing her sister didn't take the truck to the car wash and vacuum the interior first

Comment #21

cbr$ — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 03:48:41 GMT

Congratulation to Lerynne West on her Powerball win. Her sister's truck is another story. Good story, Todd.

Comment #20

music* — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 23:04:46 GMT

brees2012, Umbrella Insurance is also known as Excess Liability Insurance. This insurance will cover you if you are sued and your home and auto insurance will not cover you for any damages awarded to the person who is suing you. Before you claim your lottery prize talk to an insurance agent about this type of insurance. The agent will know how much insurance you need.

As a winner, you will be identified as deep pockets and could be targeted with false lawsuits.

An LLC stands for Limited... [ More ]

Comment #19

Redd55 — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 19:44:58 GMT

Cash Option minus Federal Taxes. On top of that she will also owe State Taxes.

Comment #18

brees2012 — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 19:39:43 GMT

Like the woman who won , Her lump sum option $198.1 million

But on Powerball Jackpot Analysis ....Her State says .....Cash Option ....$288

That's $288 million - 198millions = $90 millions different, .....Why is that ,

can somebody explain ? Thank you

Comment #17

brees2012 — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 19:31:07 GMT

Why is the amount different for the lady who just won the powerball .

she will recieve $198.1 million instead of 288 million .

It's always two different amount .

what is Umbrella Insurance Coverage? I'm familiar with LLC .

Comment #16

music* — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 15:42:44 GMT

My advice to future winners. Slow down. Place your ticket inside either a fireproof safe or a bank's safe deposit box. A safe box.

Hire a Trust Estate Attorney to create a living revocable trust.

You will also need an LLC. Limited Liability Company.

Plus personal umbrella insurance coverage is also known as excess liability coverage.

Do some research and learn your State's anonymous policy.

Personally, I will give the Press a written statement which will include my history... [ More ]

Comment #15

CDanaT — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 13:52:58 GMT

Leaving it on the truck's floor ..... I was wondering just how clean is that trucks floorboards ?

Did it look like this

Comment #14

TheMeatman2005 — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 13:36:26 GMT

Congrats to you Lerynne West on your win.

It goes to show all players that it really does ONLY take ONE ticket to win!

However, always treat a lottery ticket as if it were cash. In this case, $343.9 mil.

That's not something I would leave floating around on a pick-up truck's floor

Comment #13

GiveFive — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 12:38:46 GMT

She seems to me that she has her wits about her. She definitely seemed poised in the video. G5

Comment #12

Stack47 — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 04:57:59 GMT

Her family is setting up the Callum Foundation, named after her grandson Callum, who was born prematurely and lived just one day. The foundation's goals will be to make grants to help alleviate poverty and hunger and encourage education, animal welfare and help for veterans. West's father was a Vietnam War veteran.

Can't say anything negative about this winner

Comment #11

Artist77 — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 23:22:43 GMT

I love this story and I think her charity will help a lot of people in real need. I also liked the fact that she eventually realized how important an education is and worked her way up into a good job. She seems savvy and polished so I am glad she won.

Comment #10

noise-gate — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 20:57:16 GMT

Congrats Lerynne, no word on whether she is in a relationship, so brace yourself for a horde of eligible bacholers camping on your doorstep Ms West. Looked up this Town on the map, and it's a small place, looks like one could swing a cat with no effort whatsoever.She could turn out to be a savvy grandmother. Life is good.

Comment #9

oate — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 19:13:00 GMT

A winner with a biographical details somewhat similar to Mavis Wanczyk's. Sometimes I really do wonder if Powerball and Mega Millions are psyops. Excuse me while I add more Reynold's Wrap to my hat.

Comment #8

zephbe — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 17:52:04 GMT

I like her stress-free view of winning.

If I was meant to win it, I was meant to win it, West said.

Congratulations

Comment #7

music* — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 16:53:24 GMT

Congratulations to Lerynne West!! Enjoy your big new car.

Slow down if you want to have money for the rest of your life.

Creating a the Callum Foundation is a smart move. Lerynne will not be the person who says NO to any undeserving beggar.

Comment #6

Rman313 — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 16:06:02 GMT

Congrats to her

Comment #5

CDanaT — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 15:49:31 GMT

Congrats Lerynne !!! I truly hope you have a lifetime of happiness and success in helping others.... Course, leaving the ticket on the floor of your sisters truck wasn't a Kodak moment but at least your ticket stayed there and was located. It will be a great story to tell for years to come.

Casey's Store:

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.583961,-94.1955995,3a,26.9y,274.77h,85.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSSPmFk8CDZlAdwKktyhQ3w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Is Iowa one of those states that has a mandator... [ More ]

Comment #4

Original Bey — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 15:33:52 GMT

A very heart-warming story.

Comment #3

Raven62 — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 15:16:20 GMT

Suddenly Life Just Got Easier! Congrats

Comment #2

JADELottery — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 15:16:02 GMT

Huh, nice.

May have seen her at Principal, if it's in Urbandale.

Visit there once in a while for work.

Comment #1

MsBee18 — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 15:15:21 GMT

Freakin Awesome

Iowa single mom claims half of $687.8 million Powerball lottery jackpot

Lottery Post — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 15:01:28 GMT

Winner established foundation to use money to help others

Includes video report

One of two winners of the $687.8 million Powerball jackpot was revealed Monday as a woman from Redfield, Iowa who happened to buy a ticket as she was picking up a slice of pizza and coffee at a local store.

Lerynne West, 51, came forward as the winner during a news conference with the Iowa Lottery.

West, a mother of three daughters and grandmother of six children, said she is going to take the lump s... [ More ]