CANDLER — James Rice of Candler in Buncombe County matched five white balls but not the Mega Ball in the Aug. 17 Mega Millions drawing and won $250,000, according to the N.C. Education Lottery. The ticket was purchased at the Energy Mart Store on Long Shoals Road in Arden. “It was a great blessing, for sure,” Rice said of his win. He plans to use his winnings, worth $170,000 after taxes, to pay off bills. » FULL STORY

A MELBOURNE mother has won more than $1.4 million in Tattslotto after mistakenly buying two tickets for last Saturday's draw, taking out two division one prizes. In a stroke of luck, the woman, who chooses her numbers by her children's birthdays, bought an extra ticket - doubling her winnings. "I thought my ticket had expired so I bought another one and accidentally doubled up in the weekend's draw," the woman said. Each ticket won $742,311.37 which brings her winnings to $1,484,622.74. » FULL STORY

Morro Bay liquor store to get $665,000 commission A $133 million lottery jackpot is more than the stuff of daydreams for one customer of a Morro Bay, California, liquor store. Bottle Liquor and Deli at 999 Main St. in Morro Bay sold the winning Mega Millions lottery ticket, the only jackpot winner in Friday's 41-state drawing, according to the California Lottery. » FULL STORY