Vietnam Vet Gets Early Christmas Surprise with $50,000 Powerball Win

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Carl New could not believe it. The Huttonsville man called the West Virginia Lottery’s automated phone system to check his Powerball tickets Sunday morning like he often does every Thursday and Sunday morning, but this time was different. He matched four numbers and the Powerball number for the Saturday drawing on one of his tickets, making that ticket worth $50,000.

“I called the number back three times to triple check,” New said. “I then took it to the store to make sure on top of that. I just could not believe it.”

New, Vietnam War veteran and retiree, bought his lucky ticket at the Par Mar #45 in Huttonsville. He made the drive to Charleston to claim his prize first thing Monday morning.

“I was up at 3 a.m. I was so excited. I play three plays every Powerball drawing and this is just a great blessing right before Christmas,” New said. “I have six grand kids, so I plan on making sure they have a good Christmas and I am going to pay off some bills with it and then save a litte bit of it.”

New says he also plans to keep playing the Lottery.

“I enjoy it and I am going to keep playing for sure and will be getting my tickets for Saturday,” he said.