South-Carolina
South Carolina couple $200K richer after plucking ‘losing’ lottery ticket back out of trash
An anonymous couple from South Carolina is thanking their lucky stars after one of them realized their “losing” lottery ticket was actually a big winner.
The couple, described by the South Carolina Education Lottery in a July 25 news release as being from the “upstate” region of South Carolina, recently purchased a $5 Double Sided Dollars Extra Play lottery scratch-off ticket from a convenience store in Spartanburg.
Spartanburg is a city in northern South Carolina, about 75 miles southwest of Charlotte, North Carolina.
After scratching it, the wife did not think she’d won — so she threw the ticket away.
But her eagle-eyed husband noticed the ticket in the trash and saw something his wife had missed.
“You have a 12 on it,” the man recounted to the South Carolina Education Lottery, meaning that the ticket was not a loser after all.
He plucked the ticket from the trash and his wife kept scratching the card – discovering that she had won $200,000.
The couple told the South Carolina Education Lottery they’re “happy and thankful everything worked out.”
With their winnings, the two plan on buying a new house, they told lottery officials.
The couple had a 1 in 750,000 chance of winning the $200,000 top prize in the Double Sided Dollars Extra Play, the South Carolina Education Lottery said.
The Double Sided Dollars Extra Play game went on sale on March 19, 2024, the South Carolina Education Lottery’s website said.
Three of the four top prizes of $200,000 have been claimed.
A total of 32 second-place prizes of $1,000 are still available.
Thousands of other prizes, ranging from $5 to $500, are also available.
The South Carolina Education Lottery was created after a Nov. 7, 2000, referendum that saw residents of the state vote to approve the implementation of a state-run lottery, the lottery’s website said.
The South Carolina Education Lottery Act was ratified by the South Carolina General Assembly a little more than six months later, and the bill was signed into law.
The first tickets for the South Carolina Education Lottery’s games were sold in March 2002, its website said.
A quarter of the South Carolina Education Lottery’s proceeds go toward various educational programs in the state, according to the website.
The rest go to prizes, retailer commissions and operating costs.
This amounts to more than $8 billion since 2002, according to the lottery.
During the first 20 years of the lottery, more than 2.5 million scholarships have been distributed to South Carolina students, the website said.
The South Carolina Education Lottery declined to provide additional details on the lucky couple’s big win.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A ceremonial bill signing was held We Wednesday for a new law that enhances penalties for harming police animals in South Carolina.
H.3034 – also known as Fargo’s, Hyco’s, Rico’s, Coba’s, Wick’s, Mikka’s, and Bumi’s Law – was passed and ratified by state lawmakers in May.
The bill is named after seven police K-9’s lost in recent years acros South Carolina.
Gov. Henry McMaster later signed the bill into law, with it going into effect on May 15.
The law makes killing or severely injuring a police animal, such as a K-9 or horse, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
It also states that anyone convicted of that crime must pay back the full cost of the animal – including buying a new one, training and any veterinarian bills. The law also makes it a crime to fire at a police vehicle if an animal is inside.
Police are also required by law to keep detailed records when a K-9 bites or causes injury.
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Copyright 2026 WIS. All rights reserved.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 2 drawing
15-26-43-48-60, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 8-7-6, FB: 6
Evening: 3-8-3, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 2-8-6-6, FB: 6
Evening: 7-1-4-4, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 2 drawing
01-04-05-07-34
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
South-Carolina
South Carolina store owner found not guilty of murder in fatal shooting of Black teen
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Chikei Rick Chow has been found not guilty by a South Carolina jury on murder charges in the shooting death of a Black 14-year-old in Columbia.
Chow was charged in the May 28, 2023, shooting death of Cyrus Carmack-Belton outside Chow’s Shell gas station on Parklane Road.
Carmack-Belton ran from the store while being chased by Chow and his son, according to prosecutors.
Authorities said the pair pursued the teen after accusing him of stealing four bottles of water from the store.
Chow shot Carmack-Belton once in the back after his son claimed the teen had a gun. He was arrested the following day.
In November 2025, a judge denied Rick Chow immunity under South Carolina’s Stand Your Ground law and also denied bond, ruling the 60-year-old store owner was a danger to the community and a flight risk.
The ruling came after prosecutors presented surveillance video and photos in court showing Carmack-Belton running from the store. Authorities said the allegation of theft was not supported by surveillance video.
Chow has served three years in prison.
The unanimous decision came Monday evening after eight hours of deliberation.
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