Raleigh, NC-- A Triad mechanic has thousands of reasons to smile while he's under the hood of your car.
That's because Ricky Watkins, of Stoneville won the North Carolina Education Lottery's Cash 5. Watkins left the lottery office, $244, 086.00 richer.
After the clerk at Garrett Mini Mart told him he had matched all five numbers in the June 30 drawing, Watkins said "I almost fell to the floor." He also said "I didn't sleep much that night, and when I did, I kept the ticket in my pocket. I couldn't believe it and I still can't. "
What does he plan to do with his windfall? Watkins told lottery officials he plans to save it for retirement.
His big right now purchase: Watkins said he's going to buy himself some new work boots.
In reality he got $165,979 after taxes were deducted.
Since the lottery began through June 30, 2011, Rockingham County education programs received more than $18.2 million in lottery funds. By law, those funds pay for teachers' salaries in grades K-3, school construction, prekindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.
NCEL