Rural Kansas couple wins $9.85 million Hot Lotto jackpot

Jul 10, 2015, 8:01 am (15 comments)

Hot Lotto

When Stephen Harrod checked his Hot Lotto ticket in the early morning on July 2nd to find out the prize amount, the convenience store clerk couldn't believe her eyes.

"She scanned (the ticket) and she went 'oh my,'" Harrod said as he recounted the story later that afternoon at the Kansas Lottery headquarters, 128 N. Kansas Ave. "She got her glasses and wrote it down on a piece of paper and gave it to me. I said, 'no way.' "

The computer showed Harrod had hit the $9.85 million Hot Lotto jackpot in Wednesday night's drawing. His ticket, purchased at Tripco Enterprises in Severy, matched all the numbers: 17, 23, 29, 30, and 33, with Hot Ball number 15.

When Stephen Harrod called his wife, Tana, to tell her the news, she didn't believe him, she said. He told her he would call the Kansas Lottery at 8 a.m. and make sure.

"From 6:30 to 8 o'clock was the longest time ever," Tana Harrod said.

The Harrods, who live in Elk County outside of Piedmont, said they don't currently have grandiose plans for the $9.85 million, on which the lottery pays the taxes on the winners' behalf. Tana Harrod said she has requested a new vehicle and a new lawn mower, but aside from that, they plan to use the money for investments and college funds. The couple has five children and four grandchildren.

Sally Lunsford, spokeswoman for the Lottery, said the Harrods each work multiple jobs. The couple said they will be cutting back on their work hours.

"You're real level-headed folks, and we know you'll make good use of it," Lunsford told the Harrods, "and we're so happy for you."

Stephen Harrod always purchases a "fast five," Lunsford said — a $6 ticket that includes Powerball, Mega Millions, 2x2 and Super Kansas Cash, as well as Hot Lotto. Harrod said he has been playing steadily for the past couple of years. Although he doesn't plan on winning again, Harrod said, he will keep playing.

The $9.85 million jackpot is the sixth Hot Lotto jackpot won in Kansas since Kansas joined the game in September 2006, Lunsford said.

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Thanks to DELotteryPlyr for the tip.

Capital-Journal

Comments

Raven62's avatarRaven62

A Dream come true: One that's shared by Lottery Players Everywhere!

temptustoo's avatartemptustoo

SO HAPPY FOR THEM Banana

shadowlady's avatarshadowlady

Congratulations to the happy couple.

 

And like the spokesman said, they seem reasonable, so they should be fine.  I am happy that they can cut back work hours, and not have to work 4 jobs.

noise-gate

Party are in Order.!!!

 

* Want to bet that Doug who rated this story  " One Star " is from Kansas?

myturn's avatarmyturn

They can go on a shopping spree at Harrods in London!

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

A big congrats to the Harrods! Smile

myturn's avatarmyturn

Can I remain anonymous if I hit a really big prize or a jackpot?

 

Most states require the lottery to release the name and city of residence to anyone who asks. Kansas is one of a handful of states that does not have this requirement. If you win a prize in Kansas, you may requet that your identity not be released publicly.

 

 

Kansas Lottery

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

myturn's avatarmyturn

Quote: Originally posted by myturn on Jul 10, 2015

Can I remain anonymous if I hit a really big prize or a jackpot?

 

Most states require the lottery to release the name and city of residence to anyone who asks. Kansas is one of a handful of states that does not have this requirement. If you win a prize in Kansas, you may requet that your identity not be released publicly.

 

 

Kansas Lottery

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

They should have taken advantage of the fact that the Kansas Lottery allow winners to remain anonymous. I suspect, down the track, they will wish they had.

cbr$'s avatarcbr$

Congratulation to the Harrods, If they live in a rural area, that lawn mover should be comfortable now.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by myturn on Jul 10, 2015

They should have taken advantage of the fact that the Kansas Lottery allow winners to remain anonymous. I suspect, down the track, they will wish they had.

yup !

Can't go wrong going anonymous !

If that did turn out to be a mistake...can't imagine how,

then it's an easy fix.

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by myturn on Jul 10, 2015

They should have taken advantage of the fact that the Kansas Lottery allow winners to remain anonymous. I suspect, down the track, they will wish they had.

Probably so excited that he didn't realize he could claim anonymously.

music*'s avatarmusic*

TAX FREE !!!   Just like in the U.K. . Congratulations to the Harrods.Banana

DELotteryPlyr's avatarDELotteryPlyr

Its nice to see someone hit this game, it doesn't have a lot of jackpot winners.

OldSchoolPa's avatarOldSchoolPa

Quote: Originally posted by shadowlady on Jul 10, 2015

Congratulations to the happy couple.

 

And like the spokesman said, they seem reasonable, so they should be fine.  I am happy that they can cut back work hours, and not have to work 4 jobs.

Congratulations indeed.

 

Kansas seems to win the Hot Lotto more than other states lately. Makes me think the yellow brick road starts and ends there in Kansas! Dorothy and her magic shoes must have something to do with that!

I am hopeful that I can win someday too because I also work multiple jobs. Or perhaps I should get into politics and run for president...that is the ultimate lottery jackpot!

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