Shirley Bowens purchased a Louisiana Lotto ticket for the first time; it turned out to be the sole winner of the $997,391 jackpot from the Feb. 16 drawing.

The Jena resident purchased her winning ticket from Airport Grocery on Highway 8 in Jena.  The retailer will receive a one-time selling bonus of $9,973, or 1 percent of the jackpot prize, for selling Bowens her winning ticket.

Bowens, age 59, claiimed her prize Friday at Lottery headquarters in Baton Rouge and received $698,173 after state and federal taxes were withheld.

The winning numbers for the Feb. 16 Lotto drawing were 03-05-12-13-30-39.

Ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age. The Lottery encourages anyone who may have a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem to call toll free 1-877-770-7867 for help.

For security purposes, the Lottery strongly encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing.