$1.765 billion Powerball jackpot goes to a player who bought a ticket in a California mountain town

A ticket holder in the quaint California mountain town of Frazier Park struck it rich, winning an astounding $1.765 billion Powerball jackpot. The thrilling news sent ripples of excitement through the local community and drew media attention to Midway Market & Liquor, the store where the winning ticket was sold. Located approximately 75 miles north of Los Angeles, Frazier Park, with its 2,600 residents, has rarely witnessed such a momentous event.

Nidal Khalil, co-owner of the store, expressed his elation, describing it as the most exciting news ever for Frazier Park. However, the identity of the fortunate winner remains a mystery as they have not yet come forward, leaving Khalil hopeful that it might be one of their regular customers, many of whom are local retirees.

The winning numbers that transformed someone’s life were 22, 24, 40, 52, 64, with the Powerball number 10. In California, the names of lottery winners must be disclosed, adding an extra layer of anticipation. The store itself will receive a commendable $1 million reward for selling the winning ticket.

Janea Herrera, a clerk at the store, initially thought the news was a jest when informed that their store had sold the winning ticket. She admitted that she had no information about the ticket’s buyer but noted that their customers are predominantly locals who go out of their way to visit the store. Frazier Park, she described, is a close-knit and peaceful community where everyone knows each other, boasting stunning night skies filled with stars.

The victory in this Powerball draw ended a remarkable streak of 35 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner, dating back to July 19 when a California player won $1.08 billion. This remarkable run of luck fell short of the record of 41 consecutive draws set in 2021 and 2022. It’s worth noting that the jackpot amount exceeded its initial estimate of $1.73 billion due to final ticket sales, securing its position as the world’s second-largest lottery prize. The only grand prize that surpassed this was the $2.04 billion Powerball won by a Californian player just last November.

Powerball is renowned for its daunting odds, standing at a staggering 1 in 292.2 million, designed to create colossal jackpots that grow larger with each unclaimed prize. Recent wins have been infrequent, but this did little to deter hopeful individuals from investing their money in a shot at instant wealth.

One such hopeful was Robert Salvato Jr., a 60-year-old electrician who purchased 40 Powerball tickets at a hardware store in Billerica, Massachusetts. He humorously shared his plans, including taking care of his family and pampering his cat, even suggesting giving her an extra leg to make her an even better kitty.

Meanwhile, in Nevada, where Powerball is not available, friends Tamara Carter and Denise Davis embarked on a journey from Las Vegas to California to buy their tickets. The demand was so high at their first stop that they decided to seek out another store, highlighting the widespread enthusiasm for the monumental jackpot.

In most states, a Powerball ticket costs $2, and players can either choose their own numbers or rely on a computer-generated selection. The staggering $1.765 billion jackpot can be claimed through a 30-year annuity or a lump sum cash option, estimated at $774.1 million. Winners should be prepared to pay federal taxes, with many states also imposing taxes on lottery winnings.

Powerball is widely played in 45 states across the United States, including Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This monumental win serves as a testament to the enduring allure of the lottery, offering ordinary individuals the dream of a life-changing windfall.

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More about Powerball Jackpot

• CNN: $1.765 billion Powerball jackpot goes to a player who bought a ticket in a California mountain town
• Powerball Official Website
• History of Powerball Jackpots