Princeton couple claims $2 million Powerball prize

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Martha and Tom Robinson buy Powerball tickets every week at the same store in their hometown of Princeton. This week, they won $2 million.

“It’s a real blessing to win this,” Martha Robinson said. “It’s really going to help us out a lot.”

The couple was at West Virginia Lottery Headquarters in Charleston Tuesday, with their two children, to claim their prize.

The lucky ticket, which matched five numbers from the Wednesday, Jan. 11 Powerball drawing with the Power Play option, was sold at the Smoker Friendly #12 store in Princeton.

The winning numbers were 1, 3, 13, 16, 43 and the Powerball number was 24.

The Robinsons used the Power Play option which doubled the prize money to $2 million.

“I’ve stood here several times and said boy, if they had just played the PowerPlay that $1 million would have been $2 (million), well, today I get to stand here and say these folks were smart enough to pay that extra $1,” said outgoing state Lottery Director John Myers.

It was Myers’ last time introducing a Lottery winner before new Lottery Director Alan Larrick takes over.

“Not only have they won,” Myers continued. “They are the only people in the nation for that drawing to match five numbers on that Wednesday Powerball game.”

A bigger house and a new car were among some of the top items the Robinsons said they plan to spend their winnings on. They also plan to use the money to pay off bills, help her children out and retire later this year.

Martha has worked at the Princeton Community Hospital for nearly 30 years. She also works as a part time cook for Princeton Senior High School. Tom is a truck driver. They have been married for 43 years and have several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Both couldn’t believe the news when Martha checked her tickets last Thursday morning.

“Thursday morning I got up and turned the computer on to check the numbers and then I looked at my ticket and I seen it was my numbers. I just started crying,” Martha said. “She was laughing too,” Tom added.

Martha said she picks the same numbers every time she plays the Powerball game.

“That set that I played (Wednesday), that’s the only set that I play the Power Play on,” she said.

The Robinsons said they won $10,000 in West Virginia and $50,000 in Virginia before, but have never walked away with this much money.

“It’s real exciting. I’m just shaking all over,” Martha said.

The Robinsons are the first $2 million winners in West Virginia in 2017.

No one matched all six numbers from Saturday’s Powerball drawing, so the estimated jackpot for Wednesday, Jan. 18 now stands at $135 million.





More News

News
Bridge collapse having an impact on West Virginia coal shipments
About third of the coal mined in northern West Virginia is shipped out of the presently idled Port of Baltimore
March 28, 2024 - 1:18 pm
News
Charleston animal shelter seeks more donations, fosters following U-Haul crash
The corner roof of the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association building was stabilized Thursday morning.
March 28, 2024 - 12:41 pm
News
Controversial unemployment bill becomes law without governor's signature
The bill freezes employer contributions and freezes benefits for people who lose their jobs.
March 28, 2024 - 12:20 pm
News
Governor signs bill phasing out state taxes on Social Security and receives praise
The phase-out would mean a 35% cut retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024; 65% in 2025 and 100% in 2026.
March 28, 2024 - 11:46 am