News Summary
St. Augustine resident William R. Evans wins a life-changing $1 million prize in the Florida Lottery. After buying a $50 scratch-off ticket at Publix, he opts for a $640,000 lump-sum payment. This Publix location has a history of winners, making it a lucky site in the community. With more prizes still available, local excitement for the lottery continues to grow.
St. Augustine Celebrates a Million-Dollar Lottery Victory
St. Augustine is buzzing with excitement as one of its own, William R. Evans, has struck it lucky with a whopping one million dollars in the Florida Lottery! The 52-year-old resident bought his winning $50 scratch-off ticket while shopping at the local Publix located at 5415 N. Oceanshore Blvd. in Palm Coast. With a stroke of luck on his side, Evans became the proud owner of a ticket from the game called “$1,000,000 A Year For Life Spectacular.”
A Sweet Payout
Opting for a one-time, lump-sum payment, Evans cashed in his ticket for a cool $640,000 on January 2, 2025. While it’s undoubtedly a life-changing amount, the sheer thrill of winning such a sizable sum is what truly makes this story sparkle.
Lucky Location
Interestingly, this is not the first time luck has graced the aisles of this particular Publix. Nearly eight years ago, another local named Jeff Gottschalk also won a million-dollar prize from a different Florida Lottery ticket on January 3, 2017. It seems that this Publix has become somewhat of a lucky charm for lottery players in St. Augustine!
Unclaimed Prizes Still Await
The winning ticket that Evans purchased is one of two top prizes available in the “$1,000,000 A Year For Life Spectacular” game, and now, both have been claimed. However, for those still dreaming of hitting it big, there are currently 234 prizes valued at $1 million up for grabs in the state, with about 56 of those still unclaimed. The odds of winning the Florida Lotto? They stand at 1 in 22,957,480. A reminder that while most of us may not win big, someone has to!
A New Winner Emerges
There’s more good news coming from St. Johns County! The Florida Lottery is expected to announce another local winner on April 1, 2025, who purchased their ticket at 220 Front St. in Ponte Vedra Beach. It just goes to show that fortune favors the brave, or should we say, the lucky!
Exciting Lotto News
In other lottery news, a Florida Lotto ticket worth a staggering $3 million was sold at Murphy USA on West U.S. Highway 90 in Lake City on March 29, 2025. The winning numbers for that lotto ticket were 7-25-32-34-40-49. That’s a serious amount of cash to start dreaming about all the possibilities!
Making Smart Choices
If you’re thinking about trying your luck with lotto tickets, keep in mind that basic Florida Lotto tickets are affordable, priced at only $2, and the starting jackpots begin at $1 million. Players have the choice to receive their winnings either in 30 annual payments or as a lump sum, much like Evans did. However, it’s important to approach gambling with caution; it can be addictive. If you or someone you know needs help, the national gambling hotline is just a call away at 1-800-522-4700.
Fun Contest Opportunity
As if all this lottery excitement wasn’t enough, there’s a contest running too! Viewers can participate in a nightly contest at 11 p.m. EST for a chance to win $300 in scratch-offs or a grand prize of $500 in gift cards. It sounds like a delightful way to join in the fun and perhaps win big yourself!
In St. Augustine, every day can be a little more exciting thanks to the thrill of the lottery. Who knows? The next millionaire could be just around the corner!
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville.com: Publix and St. Augustine Man Cash In for Florida Lottery Scratch-Off
- Miami Herald: Florida Lottery News
- Jacksonville.com: Florida Lottery Winner from St. Augustine
- First Coast News: Mega Millions Winner
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lottery
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
