LaPlace Woman Claims $1 Million Powerball Prize

Pamela Atwood stepped forward last week to claim the $1 million Powerball prize from the Sept. 27 drawing.

The 44-year-old LaPlace resident’s Quick Pick ticket matched all five white-ball numbers but missed the red Powerball number. Atwood told her husband to pick up the ticket when he ran to the grocery store on Saturday. When the couple checked the ticket on Sunday, they originally thought they won $1,000.

Atwood received $700,000 after federal and state taxes were withheld. The winning ticket was purchased at Big River Food and Fuel #6 in LaPlace. The store will receive a one-time selling bonus of $10,000, which is 1 percent of the prize.

Ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age. Draw-style game tickets must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing. Anyone who may have a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem should call toll free 1-877-770-7867 for help.

For security purposes, the Lottery strongly encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing.