Mississippi Resident Claims Lousiana’s Second $1 Million Powerball Prize in a Month

There might have been fire works and star spangled banners on the Fourth of July, but Sheila J. Luguire of Gautier, Miss. was seeing stars on July 6.  That was the morning she found out she won $1 million from the July 4 Powerball drawing.  

Luguire's ticket matched all five white balls drawn to win $200,000. Since she had purchased the $1 Power Play option on her ticket, her winnings were multiplied five times when the number "5" Power Play multiplier was selected during the drawing, bringing her total prize to $1 million. 

"We were planning on taking the grandkids to a movie and my husband told me to check the Lottery numbers," explained Luguire, age 49.  "I had to check the numbers again and again.  Then I called my oldest daughter and had her come over to check the numbers."

Luguire's husband, Florian,  said he purchases Powerball and Lotto tickets every Wednesday and Saturday from Exxon # 51035 on Veterans Boulevard in Kenner.  Florian, who works in Avondale, added that the store is just around the corner from the hotel where he stays during the week.  The store will receive a one-time bonus of $10,000, one percent of the prize, for selling Luguire the winning ticket.

"I think that Florian spent at least $10 million in 'what ifs' on the trip to the Lottery," Luguire added.  "We're not really sure what we want to do with the winnings, but we would like to share some with our five daughters."

The winning numbers for the July 4 Powerball drawing were 1-2-15-17-49 and the Powerball number was 35.  Luguire is the second player in the last month to win $1 million on Powerball with the Power Play option. Randy Kling of Geismar claimed $1 million from June 16 Powerball drawing.

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