Newton Grove Woman Wins $100,000 Powerball Prize

RALEIGH – Melissa Garten of Newton Grove asked her daughter to buy her a Powerball ticket and got rewarded with a $100,000 win.

“I kept checking it again and again,” she laughed.

Garten, a retired emergency room nurse for over 30 years, won her big prize in the Oct. 3 Powerball drawing.

“I fell to my knees,” Garten said recalling her reaction to the big win. “I could feel my heart beating so fast.”

Garten’s lucky $3 ticket came from 55 Fast Stop on Mt Olive Drive in Newton Grove. She matched the numbers on four white balls and the red Powerball to win $50,000. Because she bought a Power Play ticket, her prize doubled to $100,000 when the 2X multiplier came up.

“I usually choose my own numbers but I did a Quick Pick this time,” Garten said.

She arrived at lottery headquarters Friday to claim her winnings and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $72,011.

Garten plans to use her winnings to pay bills and possibly take a trip.