Jackpot

Plans to build a public recreation center in southern Berkeley County are moving "full steam ahead" thanks to a financial commitment from Powerball jackpot winner W. Randy Smith. Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks & Recreation Board Executive Director Steve Catlett told board members Tuesday that the project could cost as much as $1.5 million. Smith, who won a $79 million lottery prize in August 2010, said Tuesday that he has put more money into the endowment fund that he established with the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation to make the project possible.

It’s a one in 175 million chance that, at least for this week, many are willing to take. The Mega Millions lottery jackpot has soared to $355 million with a $224.2 million cash option as a result of overwhelming sales this weekend, according to game offiicals. The jackpot was initially estimated at about $330 million, but lottery officials decided late Tuesday morning to increase the prize to $355 million. “Why am I buying a ticket? $330 million, that’s why,” Art Campbell said Monday as he bought $5 worth of tickets at Central City Liquors in Hagerstown.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Berkeley County Magistrate W. Randy Smith, recently a winner of a $79 million Powerball jackpot, will step down from the bench on Labor Day. Smith, 63, of Martinsburg, made his resignation effective Sept. 6. In a memo faxed Friday afternoon to 23rd Judicial Circuit Chief Judge David H. Sanders' office, Smith said he "immensely" enjoyed his time as magistrate. As chief judge, Sanders is responsible for appointing a replacement for Smith, who served two four-year terms as Berkeley County sheriff before being elected magistrate in 2008.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- For about two hours, Berkeley County Magistrate W. Randy Smith believed he had come close, but that he didn't win Saturday's $79 million Powerball jackpot. On call Sunday morning at the Berkeley County Judicial Center to hold arraignment hearings, Smith asked his assistant, Mary D. Angelo, to look at the ticket that he bought from the ROCS store at 39 Kelly Island Road near Martinsburg. The ticket matched the winning numbers of 7, 10, 12, 22, 27 and the Powerball 26. Smith said the computer picked his numbers.

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Ohio has a $261.6 million Powerball winner just weeks after the state joined the multistate lottery game. The Ohio Lottery says the only ticket matching all six numbers in Wednesday night's drawing was sold at a store in Sunbury, about 20 miles north of Columbus. Lottery officials plan to present the Hub Carry Out with $100,000 Thursday morning for selling the winning ticket. Store owner Ralph Smith says it's the most exciting day in the history of the 61-year-old business.

HAGERSTOWN -- A steady stream of customers stopped Thursday afternoon at the lottery sales counter at the back of Central City Liquors on West Washington Street. With the Mega Millions jackpot at $325 million and the Multi-Match jackpot at a record $4 million, players are hoping to strike it rich. "There isn't anything wrong with that," a Central City Liquors customer said of the Mega Millions jackpot. The customer, who said he goes by the name "Lite," said the trick is figuring out the winning numbers.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The economic crunch has drastically improved for one lucky Powerball player who bought a ticket in South Carolina. Lottery officials said Thursday a Powerball ticket sold in South Carolina matched all six numbers drawn to win the midweek jackpot worth nearly $260 million. A news conference was planned Thursday at a Columbia store where the ticket was sold. Amber Baldwin, assistant manager at the Murphy USA store, says the store is buzzing with excitement and ticket sales have risen since the winning ticket was announced.

Cash 5 Jackpot winner Barbara Jeanette hugs Earl's Market owner Joe Lesko on Wednesday in State Line, Pa. Jeanette purchased her winning Pennsylvania Lottery ticket at Lesko's business on July 28. Representatives from the Pennsylvania Lottery presented Jeanette with a ceremonial check for the jackpot valued at $395,698.

HAGERSTOWN - Don't be surprised if the line at the gas station is a little longer than usual today. With no jackpot winner since Jan. 1, the top prize in the multi-state lottery game Mega Millions has inched its way up to $220 million for tonight's drawing, and local businesses are expecting a last-minute rush. "We'll be slammed here tomorrow," Sue Wiles, co-manager of the Liquor Locker on Dual Highway, said Monday. Wiles said she notices a difference as soon as the jackpot reaches about $120 million.