Southern Oregon is known for its agriculture, lumber, manufacturing, tourism and, this year, Lottery winners. This week, the Oregon Lottery Raffle top prize winner is the third million-dollar-plus winner from Southern Oregon in 2018.
Damian Shepherd from Phoenix claimed his $1 million Raffle win on Monday at the Oregon Lottery Headquarters in Salem.
"We had six Raffle tickets in a row, and I got the winning number and I was counting up with my tickets 189836, 189837, 189838 -- it was intense and I was wondering if I bought enough in a row to be the winner," Shepherd said. "Then we got to 189839, and it was the fifth out of our six tickets. We got lucky."
The winning number was 189839. Shepherd purchased the ticket at the Albertson's store on Phoenix Road in Medford.
"Our Medford Albertsons employees were so excited to hear that someone local won the $1 million jackpot," said Jill McGinnis, Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Albertson's. "Our partnership with the Oregon Lottery creates a lot of fun and excitement in our stores -- for both customers and employees."
In January, two large Powerball jackpots were won by people from Southern Oregon. On Jan. 4, Ron Ceci of Grants Pass won a $2 million Powerball jackpot. On Jan. 11, Reggie Pearne of Jacksonville won $1,000,004 playing Powerball. All three wins happened within a 40-mile radius.
Southern Oregon was also where the largest Powerball win in Oregon was sold. In 2005, a $340 million Powerball prize was purchased at Ray's Food Place in Jacksonville. At the time, that jackpot was the largest ever won in the U.S.
During the 2015-17 biennium in Jackson County, where Shepherd lives more than $30 million in Oregon Lottery proceeds were directed to economic development, parks, education and watershed enhancement.
Lottery officials recommend that you always sign the back of your tickets with each Oregon Lottery game you play, to ensure you can claim any prize you may win. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Prize winners of more than $50,000 should contact the Lottery office to schedule an appointment to claim their prize.
Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $11 billion for economic development, public education, state parks and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org
Source: Oregon Lottery