What Would You Do With $550 Million?
by Breanna Fuss, Reporter
November 28, 2012 6:19 PM
The Powerball Jackpot is the highest it has ever been at $550 million. And even though you have better odds of becoming the president, it isn’t stopping South Dakotans from trying to cash in.
Wednesday KDLT met a woman who won the sixth largest lotto in South Dakota history. Shirley Vehle and her husband Luverne won over $9 million playing Hot Lotto back in 2005. With over half a billion dollars up for grabs she is trying to win more to give to her family.
We found Shirley Vehle buying three Powerballs and a handful of scratch offs at the HyVee Convenience Store off of Louise.
She said she has enough money from her win before, so if she is so lucky to win again, she has a plan.
"I would give it to my kids and friends,” said Shirley Vehle, a lotto winner.
Vehle said she might go on a trip with her husband though.
“…Not really...maybe Hawaii,” said Vehle.
And surprisingly she isn’t the only one who would give their winnings away.
"My godson would come first. I'd get him an acreage with a tractor and everything out in Hartford, S.D.,” said Ron Cade from Sioux Falls.
Michelle Tull and her co-workers pooled in enough money to buy 47 tickets. And when she blows out her birthday candles, she knows what she will be wishing for.
"Anything would be great, but the jackpot would be best,” said Michelle Tull from Garretson.
If Tull wins, she said she would donate half of it to an organization like Make-A-Wish.
"I always said, 'If I won the lottery, I would give half of my winnings away,” said Tull.
Amber Nordquist never buys Powerball tickets, but Wednesday was an exception.
"I'm feeling lucky. I bought two, and two is my lucky number,” said Amber Nordquist from Sioux Falls.
If Nordquist wins she would use the only for something many people may not quite think of.
"I would pick some of favorite friends and family and take them somewhere beautiful, like move there. And then we wouldn't have to work and we'd start our own little village. I really would,” said Nordquist.
As the jackpot slowly rises throughout the day as more and more people hope lady luck is on their side, Cade wants the winner to remember one thing.
“Spend it wisely,” said Cade.
The odds of winning the jackpot are one in over 175 million. According to Mega.com, if someone won in South Dakota, after taxes they would win over $270 million, if they took the lump sum. Otherwise, they can choose to be paid the $550 million over a 29-year period.
9 p.m. is the cut off for tickets sold, and the drawing will be held at 10 p.m.
