Michael and Carrie Middlebrook of Bono have won a $1 million prize (less about a third for taxes) on a $20 $1 Million Spectacular ticket from the Arkansas Lottery.

CORRECTION: I inadvertently mangled the family’s last name in the original version.

Advertisement

Carrie Middlebrook bought it Tuesday at Jordan’s Kwik Stop in Bono, getting a $20 ticket by mistake when she’d intended to get a $2 scratch off. Said a lottery release:

Carrie said the three-mile drive to her home seemed like 300. She called her husband, who was cooking dinner, and asked him to come outside.

 “When I opened Carrie’s car door, she was crying and shaking. I thought she had hit a deer!” Mike laughed. “I looked at the ticket and couldn’t believe it.”

 Mike finished cooking, but the couple couldn’t eat they were so overwhelmed. And they had trouble sleeping that night, too. Before today, they had only told a select few about their win – “only ones we knew wouldn’t ask for money,” they said.

They plan to pay off their house and vehicles and put a big part of the prize money back for retirement. The Middlebrooks have been married for 20 years and both work in Jonesboro.

 Jordan’s Kwik Stop will receive a 1 percent commission of $10,000 for selling the winning ticket.

Advertisement

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article Government responds to Gilbert Baker’s motion to dismiss federal charges Next article Drink/Drank/Drunk, a boozy playlist for your inauguration week toasts