Media-ready jpg image of Tom Colstrom

Microsoft Word document of news release

DATE: September 28, 2009
CONTACT: Karie Lowe (785) 296-5744, karie.lowe@kslottery.net

Osage City Resident One Number Away from Jackpot – Wins $10,000

TOPEKA, KAN. – Whenever Tom Colstrom buys a Powerball ticket for the Saturday night drawing, he always checks his ticket the next day when he goes to a nearby convenience store for a Sunday paper. The Osage City resident received quite a surprise yesterday morning when a store clerk checked his Powerball ticket. He matched four numbers plus the Powerball, winning a $10,000 cash prize in the September 26 drawing.

“The gal behind the counter was more excited than I was,” said Colstrom. “I must say, I was surprised I’d won. It got my heart pumping thinking I’d missed the jackpot by one number. I was happy with winning $10,000 though. The most I’ve ever won was $500 and that was on a scratch ticket.”

After returning home from the convenience store, Colstrom told his wife Donna he’d won a large prize.

“I didn’t believe him at first,” said Donna. “We’ve been married for 43 years and I can tell when he’s lying. I took a good look at his face and I knew right then and there, he was telling the truth. We called our daughter and told her we were one number away from paying off her house. Her response was, ‘Holy cow!’”

The Colstroms, who have one daughter and three grandchildren, plan to pay bills with their prize money.

The winning ticket was purchased at Casey’s General Store 1255, located at 218 N. 9th St. in Osage City.