4/20/2007 - 4:46 PM

Players Win Big From April 12 Pick 4 Drawing

For the first time since the Louisiana Lottery launched Pick 4 in March 1999, the numbers 9-9-9-9 were selected with a total of $1.25 million won for the April 12 drawing.   

Winners claimed prizes ranging from $2,500 to $45,000 at Lottery regional offices in New Orleans, Lafayette, Alexandria, Monroe, and Shreveport as well as at Lottery headquarters.

Dorothy D. Williams of New Orleans won $2,500 on a 50-cent play, and she claimed her prize at the New Orleans regional office.  "Oh, I've been playing these numbers for quite awhile," said Williams, age 75.  "And I'll continue playing!"  She purchased her winning ticket at Tradmax on Elysian Fields Avenue in New Orleans.

"I've already won playing 8-8-8-8 in January," said Herbert Stokes of Houma.  "I had a feeling that the numbers were coming, and you can't win if you don't play!"  Stokes, age 63, purchased his winning ticket at Cannata's Family Market on Prospect Boulevard in Houma.  He won $10,000 on two $1 plays, worth $5,000 each.

"I enjoy coming to the Lottery's New Orleans office.  This time it was great birthday present to myself," said Bernadette Clark of New Orleans.  Clark, who turned 47 on April 18, purchased her $2,500 winning ticket at Quicky's on Tulane Avenue in New Orleans.

Other winner who claimed at the New Orleans regional office include: Willie Winnfield Jr., age 50, of New Orleans who purchased his $2,500 winning ticket at Get  N Go Food Store on South Jefferson Davis Parkway in New Orleans; Patsy Augustine, age 54, of New Orleans who purchased her $5,000 winning ticket at Tiger Mart on Kabel Drive in New Orleans; Larry Spencer Jr., age 64, of Harvey who purchased his two $2,500 winning tickets at Airport Shell on Airline Highway in Kenner; Paula Ross, age 37, of New Orleans who purchased her $2,500 winning ticket at Vicky's Market on Magazine Street in New Orleans; and Albert Shaffer Jr, age 68, of Slidell who purchased his $5,000 winning ticket at Premium Unleaded on Old Spanish Trail in Slidell.

"It feels good to win," said Clifton Etienne of Lake Charles who claimed $2,500 at the Lafayette regional office.  "I always pick identical numbers."  Etienne, age 74, purchased his winning ticket at Calcasieu Exxon on Broad Street in Lake Charles.

Two of the winners claimed their Pick 4 prize at the Alexandria regional office. 

Willie Smith Jr., age 54, won $2,500 on a 50-cent play, and he purchased his winning ticket at Circle K #7764 on N. Wallace Boulevard in Ferriday.  Helen L. Taylor, age 58, plans to donate some of her $10,000 winnings to her church.  She won $5,000 each on two plays, for a total of $10,000, and purchased her winning ticket at 84 Quick Stop on Highway 84 in Ferriday.  Both Smith and Taylor are from Ferriday.

The Monroe regional office had two winners claim prize from the April 12 Pick 4 drawing.  Willie Williams of Wisner and Limmie Ellis Jr. of Monroe both won $5,000 on a $1 play.  Williams, age 53, purchased his winning ticket at Ezell's One Stop on Oak Street and Natchez Street in Wisner.  Ellis, age 58, purchased his winning ticket at Stewart's Grocery on Jackson Street in Richwood. 

James R. Cook Jr., age 75, of Shreveport won $5,000 with a "quick pick" ticket, meaning his numbers were generated by the Lottery computer.  Cook, who also won playing Pick 4 in March, purchased his winning ticket at Jewella Quick Stop on Jewella Avenue in Shreveport.

"You can't sleep at night when you win," said Vicki R. Stephens of Shreveport.  She won $2,500 on a 50-cent play, and purchased her winning ticket at Hearne Avenue Citgo on Hearne Avenue in Shreveport.  "I just like to play Pick 4," said Stephens, age 47, who plans to use her winnings to renovate her house.

Other winners who claimed their prizes at the Shreveport regional office include: Willie Kemp, age 60, of Greenville, Miss. who purchased his $5,000 winning ticket at Cenla express #1201 on Broadway Street in Delhi; Brenda Plater, age 37, of Bossier City who purchased her $2,500 winning ticket at Lo Mart Super Market on Shreveport Blanchard Highway in Shreveport; Johnnie Jackson, age 62, who purchased his $2,500 winning ticket at Bus Depot Corner Store on Crockett Street in Shreveport; Leroy Hogan Sr., age 73, of Mansfield who purchased his $5,000 winning ticket at Shelby's 66 on McArthur Drive in Mansfield; Charlotte R. Armstrong, age 26, of Shreveport who purchased her $2,500 winning ticket at Lakeshore Grocery on Lakeshore Drive in Shreveport; Venita Graham, age 56, of Stonewall who purchased her $2,500 winning ticket at Village Exxon on Mansfield Road in Shreveport; Arnold W. Green, age 51, of Coushatta who purchased his $5,000 winning ticket at Shop A Lott #17 on Cut Off Road in Coushatta; Gracie Mae Anderson , age 64, of Ringgold who purchased her $5,000 winning ticket at Taylor's Quikstop on Military Road in Ringgold; Roy L. Carley, age 57, of Bossier City who purchased his $5,000 winning ticket at King's Korner on East Highway 80 in Haughton.; and Loresa S. Pearson, age 52, of Gibsland who purchased her $5,000 winning ticket at Dixie Mart #17 on Hazel Road in Arcadia.

Players must be at least 21 years of age to purchase a Lottery ticket.  The Lottery encourages anyone who has a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem to call toll-free 1-877-770-7867 for help.