Benson Man Lands North Carolina Fast Play Lottery Jackpot

A $10 lottery ticket purchase paid off nicely for a Benson man, as he ended up winning big in the North Carolina Education Lottery.

David Shafer won a $236,439 Fast Play jackpot, after purchasing the $10 50X The Cash ticket at the Country Mart on N.C. 242 North in Benson. He claimed his prize at lottery headquarters in Raleigh this week.

"I always joked with people at stores that I want the ticket that will take me to Raleigh," Shafer laughed in a release from NCEL. "I'm still kind of in shock though."

The jackpot win was a surprise for Shafer, as he thought someone else had won it when he saw the number change.

"I saw the jackpot went down from over $200,000 to $20,000 so I figured somebody else just won," Shafer recalled. "It took a minute to set in."

According to NCEL, Shafer got 100 percent of the jackpot because of his $10 ticket purchase. And after federal and state tax withholdings, Shafer walked home with $186,466.

"I never pictured winning something like this," Shafer said. "I thought about it though."

"Fast Play features an instantly growing jackpot that increases with every ticket sold until it is won. As of Thursday morning, the Fast Play jackpot stands at $33,000 and counting.

For details on how $14.3 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Benson and Johnston County in 2022, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the "Impact" section.

Get ready, Fayetteville! This Halloween 2023 is going to be spooktacular! Foxy 99 is set to host our Annual Halloween Take-ova Trunk or Treat Event at Super Beauty World on October 28th! This year it's going to be bigger than ever, but we're not the only ones with big Halloween plans. Here's a rundown of all the exciting events shaping up.

But in addition to the official hours, there's something for everyone in Fayetteville this Halloween. Don't miss out on these fantastic celebrations!

Come join the Foxy 99 Team at Super Beauty World on Saturday, October 28th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a trunk or treat! We want to see your costume and give you a treat!

For Halloween, Foxy 99 and Super Beauty World will be providing children a safe alternative for Trick or Treating! We are inviting children and their parents to dress up and Trick or Treat at Super Beauty World – 3615 Sycamore Dairy Road in Fayetteville!

Be there! October 28 in the parking lot right off Bragg Blvd. We can’t wait to see all of your amazing costumes!

https://townofhopemills.com/351/Halloween-in-Hope-Mills

Monster Bash: Experience a chilling walk at the Halloween at the BOO-tanical Garden 2023 as it transforms into a haunting spectacle with eerie spectres and haunting sounds.

https://www.capefearbg.org/event/halloween-in-the-boo-tanical-garden/2023-10-26/

Trick-or-Treat on Hay Street: This beloved local event presented by Cool Spring Downtown District sees local businesses handing out treats to trick-or-treaters.

https://visitdowntownfayetteville.com/events/downtown-trick-or-treat/

NC Halloween Half Marathon & 5K: Lace up your running shoes and join in these exciting races in Fayetteville on October 29.

https://www.raceentry.com/north-carolina-halloween-half-marathon-and-5k/race-information

Halloween Revels "Moonlight Mischief" series: Check out this amazing event at the historic 1897 Poe House starting from October 19th!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-revels-moonlight-mischief-at-the-1897-poe-house-tickets-692518931767

October Family Fun Day: Sign up as a volunteer at the Rick Herrema Foundation for this fun-filled event on October 21st.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-sign-up-for-october-family-fun-day-tickets-639362920707

Gallberry Corn Maze: For some corny fun, visit this Halloween Corn Maze and Fun on October 20th, 22nd, and 28th in Hope Mills.

https://gallberrycornmaze.com/