Farmington Woman Runs Errand, Returns with Lottery Ticket Worth $50,000

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7/14/2010 7:46:55 AM - ALBUQUERQUE – In less than three hours, good fortune turned a family barbeque into a family vacation.

On Monday evening, April Lopez of Farmington discovered a $50,000 prize playing the New Mexico Lottery’s “Crossword Doubler” Scratcher. Lopez bought her lucky $5 ticket while picking up supplies so that her husband and three young children could beat the heat with an outdoor supper. She played the ticket after returning home, revealing 10 words across the second of the game’s two puzzles.

“I was jumping around and screaming ‘I’ve won $50,000,’” Lopez recalled for lottery officials in Albuquerque.

By 8 p.m., the Lopez family was on the road to claim the prize in person. According to Jose Lopez, his wife spent the entire trip “fantasy shopping.”

“I told her not to get ahead of herself,” he said. “I didn’t want her to get too excited.”

After claiming the prize Tuesday morning, the Lopezes said they planned to treat their children to a tour of Albuquerque amusement parks and the city’s zoo.

“This is their first real vacation,” Lopez said, “They’re really excited.”

Lopez’ lucky ticket came from Giant Station No. 4 located at 531 E. Broadway in Farmington. Previously, the store has sold 11 lottery tickets paying prizes between $1,000 and $15,000.

Other recent local Scratcher winners include Aztec residents Lynette Reed and Shannon Dorsett, who won $1,000 each. Danielle Weahkee of Bloomfield won $2,800; Kathryn Hatley of Flora Vista, $2,000; and Edwin Ayze of Farmington, $1,200.

Lottery Beneficiaries in San Juan County

Since 1996, the lottery has raised $442.7 million for education and more than 61,000 students have attended college on Legislative Lottery Scholarships.

As of the Spring 2009 semester, 3,200 students from San Juan County have received $10.4 million in Legislative Lottery Scholarships.