When Powerball hits $1.5 billion many Minnesotans play.  Kwik Trips throughout the state were busy and, on January 13th, 2016, the Kwik Trip on Oakland Avenue in Austin was very lucky for one local woman.  However, she almost didn't get her share.

Courtesy of MN Lottery - Debra Newman of Austin, MN
Courtesy of MN Lottery - Debra Newman of Austin, MN
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Debra looks very happy.  However, she was close to being very sad.  Let's take a step back.

On January 13th, 2016 everyone and their mother was playing Powerball.  The jackpot was over $1.5 billion.  Yes.  BILLION with a B!  Debra swung by the Kwik Trip in Austin and decided to play.

When the numbers were drawn, Debra did quite well.  It wasn't $1.5 billion, but she had matched 4 of the 5 numbers and the Powerball.  That was good enough for $50,000!

She didn't immediately claim her winning prize.  Debra said:

 “It was a rough year, and I thought for sure [the deadline to claim] was February. I heard on the news that a ticket purchased in Austin was going to expire and I thought, ‘Wait a minute, that’s me.’ The year went quickly.”

Luckily, Debra made it to Minnesota Lottery headquarters this past Thursday, with just 1 day to go.  If she hadn't made it by 5pm on January 13th, her $50,000 prize would have gone down to $0!  Doh.

Congratulations Debra!

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