Newton woman wins $40,000 Powerball prize

DES MOINES — A Newton woman was just one number away from winning a large Powerball jackpot earlier this month and ended up winning a $40,000 prize.

Sharon Wells matched four white balls and the Powerball in the May 3 drawing to win a $10,000 prize. And since she added the Power Play option to her ticket for an extra dollar, her prize multiplied to $40,000.

Wells purchased her winning ticket at Sharpy’s Quick Shop, 702 First Ave. E. in Newton. She claimed her ticket Thursday at the Iowa Lottery’s headquarters in Des Moines.

The winning numbers in the $60 million Powerball drawing on May 3 were: 5-15-16-46-49 and Powerball 26. The Power Play number drawn was 4. The jackpot has been growing since April 26 and has climbed to an estimated $90 million  for tonight’s drawing.