Powerball tickets to paradise

Chances of winning the $1.5 billion grand prize Powerball Wednesday night might only be one in 292.2 million. But, the jackpot is the largest lottery prize in U.S. history and anyone can dream, right? Regular lottery players as well as new hopefuls have been flocking to retail establishments to purchase their tickets since learning that nobody won Saturday’s jackpot. At Kwik Trip North, in Prairie du Chien, an employee said Powerball sales there by mid-day Wednesday were nonstop. "I hope somebody wins it tonight," she said. "It's getting ridiculous." She added that employees have had to assist the majority of customers who have elected to choose their own numbers, as many were not familiar with the process. Admittedly a novice in the lottery, Chasity Allen, of Bloomington, bought nine Quick-Picks at Krachey’s BP in Prairie du Chien Tuesday afternoon. “I’ve never done this before,” she told the clerk. “Just make me a winner.” If one of her tickets happens to be the big winner, she said she would use her prize money to pay off debt and become a stay-at-home mom. Chasity (left) is pictured with BP employee Ashley Mezera. (Photo by Correne Martin)