Forest Grove Nursery Manager Gomez Wins $1 Million Powerball Prize

Saturday, August 12, 2017
GoLocalPDX News Team

Forest Grove nursery manager Teresa Avalos Gomez won a $1 million Powerball prize after her ticket was one number away from winning the $300 million jackpot.

"I scanned it and it said to talk to the clerk. When I checked it with the clerk, it said I needed to go to Salem. We were both shocked and excited,” said Gomez.

The winning numbers were 12-30-36-47-62 with a Powerball of 9. Avalos Gomez's quick pick Powerball ticket missed the Powerball number. 

Gomez took the ticket home and checked the numbers online several times with her family on the Oregon Lottery's website before she would believe her ticket was not worth $100, but $1 million. 

"I was pretty sure it was only $100," she said. "Now I can pay off my mortgage. I am still wrapping my head around winning that much money." 

Jimmie Musselwhite, who owns the Mini Mart where Avalos Gomez purchased her ticket, said he was happy to learn he had sold a $1 million ticket. 

"I am sure we are going to sell a bunch of Powerball tickets tomorrow. Selling a million dollar ticket, and having the jackpot still be so high, I think people will come here to get their tickets." 

Powerball Jackpot

The Powerball jackpot continues to grow.

The estimated jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is $356 million.

Altogether, 14,283 Powerball players won more than $1,064,000 in Oregon after Wednesday night's drawing. Prizes ranged from the $1 million ticket to $4 winning tickets. 

The top Powerball prize ever won by an Oregonian was $340 million.