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$2 million Powerball winner in Iowa comes forward

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January 14th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Lottery officials say an Onawa man has claimed his $2 million Powerball prize. 23-year old Bryon Stewart validated his ticket at lottery headquarters in Clive Thursday afternoon.PR011416_ByronStewart The ticket was sold at a Casey’s convenience store in the western Iowa city of Onawa. It matched the first five numbers but missed the Powerball to win a $1 million prize in Wednesday’s drawing. Stewart also added the Power Play to the purchase, which multiplied the prize to $2 million.

Stewart, who works as a security officer at the WinnaVegas Casino & Resort in Onawa, said he bought his winning ticket Wednesday night, just a few hours before the Powerball drawing. He had a total of three tickets for the drawing. He and his girlfriend, Taylor Kuhlman, looked up the winning numbers together shortly after the drawing. Stewart claimed the prize, but said the couple would be sharing the winnings. The couple said they plan to pay off some loans, and perhaps look for a house someday soon. Stewart said he will continue to work, and Kuhlman said she will as well.

The buyers of tickets sold in California, Florida and Tennessee will share the estimated $1.6 billion jackpot or the $983.5 million cash option. Lottery officials say people bought more than $12 million in Powerball tickets in Iowa for Wednesday’s drawing. The odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 292.2 million.