Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Lotto Winner Hit Goals Trifecta

Associated Press

Ten years ago Mary Noble set three goals for herself: quit smoking, get a divorce and win the lottery.

The divorced Idaho Falls High School journalism teacher found out Monday, after wearing nicotine patches for two days, that she had won Saturday night’s Tri-West lotto drawing.

“All I could say was, ‘Thank you, God,”’ Noble said. “My daughter and I had just been talking about how I need to buy a new car, but I was having trouble with the idea of having to make a car payment for the next five years.”

Noble, who bought her quick-pick ticket at a local IGA store, is one of two people who will split the $250,000 Tri-West jackpot.

Each winner will take home a check for $90,000 after federal taxes, said Renee Katter of the Idaho Lottery. The other winner had not been identified, but Katter said the ticket was purchased in Star.

Once she gets the money, Noble said, she plans to do a little investing, buy a new car and give 10 percent to charities.

“That was part of the deal I made with God. And the car will be a grandma car, not a Porsche or a Jaguar like the kids all want me to get.”