2005 4th Quarter Press Releases: Article

Fourth Next Millionaire Draw Winner to be Announced

SACRAMENTO – Fourteen California Lottery players from across the state won a total of $1,227,500 on “The Big Spin®” show that aired Saturday, December 31, 2005.  This year’s Big Spin Players won a grand total of $23,638,000. 

Julie Wiegel, a cashier from Woodland spun the wheel and won $1 million.  “I’m going to open my own retail business and call it ‘Julie’s Store’,” said Ms. Wiegel.  She purchased her Big Spin Scratchers® ticket at Quik Stop Market in Woodland and uncovered Spin-Spin-Spin which earned her a direct trip to the wheel.

Richard Winnen a retiree from Carson was the first contestant on this week’s show to win at the “Fantasy 5 Dream Machine.”  Winnen enjoyed winnin’ $70,000.  “I’m going to share this windfall with my family and visit my son in South Carolina,” said Winnen. He bought his Fantasy 5 tickets at Golden Snack Shop in Carson.

Continuing the excitement at the “Fantasy 5 Dream Machine” was Liese Olukoya, a consultant from Elk Grove who won $55,000.  “Being on a television production was very exciting,” said Ms. Olukoya.  She purchased her tickets at Tooley Oil Company in Elk Grove.

Wrapping up the “Fantasy 5 Dream Machine” excitement was James Kitahara from West Covina who won $30,000.  When asked what his fantasy was, Kitahara said, “I can’t think of a better fantasy than to take care of my mother.”  He purchased his tickets at Jug and Jigger in West Covina.

Pedro Salazar, a smog technician from Fresno was the contestant who won the opportunity to spin the wheel from the “Aces High” round.  Salazar, who bought his Big Spin Scratchers® ticket at SSS Chevron in Fresno, spun the wheel for $50,000.  “This is great!  Now I can use these winnings towards the set-up of my own smog shop,” said Salazar.