Clinton Man Wins $1 Million Carolina Jackpot Scratch-Off Prize

David Chestnutt of Clinton won the first of five $1 million prizes on the new scratch-off ticket.

Image Courtesy North Carolina Education Lottery

A Clinton man is celebrating big today, after he won $1 million on a North Carolina Education Lottery Carolina Jackpot scratch-off game ticket.

David Chestnutt won the first $1 million prize to be awarded on the new Carolina Jackpot scratch-off game. He bought the ticket at the Am Station on Southeast Boulevard in Clinton on Tuesday.

Chestnutt chose the lump sum prize of $600,000, and after his required state and federal tax withholdings, he walked away with $426,063. He could have taken the annuity prize, and received $50,000 a year for 20 years.

The $1 million prize is the first of five available on the Carolina Jackpot game. It launched earlier this month, and has a second-chance opportunity, allowing the tickets to be entered into a drawing for a rolling jackpot. The more that are entered, the higher the jackpot grows.

Ticket sales from scratch-offs make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $900 million a year for education. In May, the state announced that Clinton City Schools would receive nearly $900,000 in money raised by the lottery for roofing for three elementary schools. For details on how $4.8 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Sampson County in 2021, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.

The weather is beautiful and it's time to start thinking about summer adventures at all 41 of the North Carolina State Parks.

There are currently 41 areas part of the NC State Parks system, including 34 parks, four recreation areas, and three state natural areas, according to NC Parks.

That opens up the door for a ton of adventure, whether you like camping, hiking, beaches, mountains or everything in between.

"Come to our parks to marvel at our state's most beautiful natural resources, enjoy your favorite outdoor activities, and learn about the rich science, culture, and history that make our parks great," NC Parks says on their site. "From Gorges State Park on the Blue Ridge escarpment to Jockey's Ridge State Park in the Outer Banks, you'll find mysterious bay lakes, wild swamps, sandhills with their longleaf pine habitats, piedmont river systems, and bold mountain streams."

The closest state parks to Fayetteville are Carvers Creek (right here in Cumberland County!), Raven Rock, Jones Lake, Weymouth Woods, Singletary Lake, and Lumber River.

So here's a look at all 41 of those amazing places to check out, with links to each park, so you can learn more for your North Carolina State Parks adventure!