PARIS, Kentucky — Two men from the same city in Kentucky are celebrating after winning big playing the lottery.
Both men showed up at the Kentucky Lottery's headquarters in downtown Louisville on the same day.
One man, who wished to remain anonymous, celebrated his birthday on Oct. 2 by taking his wife on a surprise trip to Louisville to redeem his winning ticket.
Without her knowing, the man had bought a Powerball ticket from the Sept. 30 drawing at the Speedway on Main Street in Paris, Kentucky. The city is located just northeast of Lexington.
According to officials, it wasn't until the man handed over the winning ticket to redeem it that she learned he had won $50,000.
"I started crying," she said. "I couldn't believe it."
The man said he was about to mow his lawn on Sunday when he checked his ticket. When he learned exactly how much he won, he said it was the best birthday present.
Despite being just one number shy of winning the $960 million jackpot, he told lottery officials he was thrilled to win the $50,000 prize.
"I'm ecstatic," he said. "I'm excited to get out of debt."
Another winner
Charlie McCann also showed up at the lottery's headquarters on Oct. 2 with a winning ticket worth nearly $150,000.
McCann and his brother Steven bought a lottery ticket for the Fast Play Jackpot 777's game while at the Circle K on Lacy Lane in Paris the day before.
"I play scratch-offs every day and I had $2 left on the machine, so I thought, 'let's get a Fast Play," he said, adding that he doesn't play Fast Play often.
As he scratched off the ticket, he noticed three 7s and at the top of the ticket it said "jackpot."
"I think we've won a couple thousand dollars," he told his brother. When they went back into the store and scanned the ticket, McCann learned he had won $154,977.
He told officials he plans to buy a new car and will help his niece with some financial assistance.
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