Lakeland Man Wins $1 Million From Florida Lottery

A Polk County man won big from the Florida Lottery. His top priority with his winnings? Mom.

57-year-old Willie Myrick, Jr., of Lakeland, won a $1 million prize from the Florida Lottery. He scratched a $20 ‘Gold Rush Limited‘ scratch-off ticket.

Myrick claimed his prize at the Lottery’s Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to take his winnings in annual installments of $40,000 for 25 years. He purchased his ticket at the 7-Eleven located at 7040 Church Avenue North in Mulberry. The store will also receive $2,000 for selling the winning ticket.

Willie told the Florida Lottery

“I feel so blessed. The first thing I plan to do is use some of my winnings to take care of my mother.”

‘Gold Rush Limited’ is a $20 scratch-off game featuring prizes ranging from $20 to $5 million. There are still 68 of 100 $1 million prizes remaining. There are also still 22 of 32 top $5 million prizes remaining.

[Source: FlaLottery.com]

Family Summer Vacation Trips Within Driving Distance Of Tampa

• 1. Clearwater Beach:

  The Pinellas County beaches have lots of options from the bustle of Clearwater to the more serene Indian Rocks Beach.

  

  The Pinellas County beaches are the nearest place to go for the sun, the sand and the water.(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

• 2. The most obvious, and possibly expensive: Walt Disney World and Universal

  Orlando area theme parks at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. The tourist mecca of central Florida has seemingly anything you’d like to do. Add in Sea World Orlando and Legoland and there’s something for every age group.

  

  Walt Disney’s dream is still the most visited tourist attraction.
  (Photo by Olga Thompson/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images)

  

  (Photo by Rachel Pitts/BBGI)

• 3. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex:

  Some history, some technology, all coolness. If you plan the trip right, you might even be lucky enough to witness a rocket launch.

  

  (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

• 4. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park:

  Yes, it’s still there and so is the famous mermaid show!

  🧜🏻‍♀️ Happy #MermaidMonday with Ashleigh! The mermaids perform daily at 11 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3 PM (Weather permitting).
  
  The Ranger Experience: 10 AM, 12 PM & 2 PM
  The Wilderness River Cruise: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM.
  
  Buccaneer Bay Waterpark is currently open on weekends only. pic.twitter.com/js5SnLYYBM

  — Weeki Wachee Springs State Park 🧜🏻‍♀️ (@WeekiWacheeSpgs) April 4, 2022

• 5. Cedar Key:

  It’s a small community on the Gulf of Mexico where you can find yourself enjoying getting away from the ‘big city’ and enjoy some of the best clam chowder in the country. We’re looking at you, Tony’s!

  Took a short trip to the Old Florida Festival of the Arts, an art show in Cedar Key, Florida. Here's a few pix of some of the sights #CedarKey #art #festival#WagnTailsRanch road trip
  1/7 pic.twitter.com/GCEHAyutYc

  — Inland K9 SAR (@InlandK9SAR) April 10, 2022

  Tony’s Platter for 2! Enjoy!

  Posted by Tony's Seafood Restaurant on Wednesday, May 12, 2021

• 6. Silver Springs State Park:

  You can enjoy looking through the crystal clear waters from a glass-bottom boat. Bring the family to go canoeing or kayaking through the springs.

  Silver Springs State Park re-opens tomorrow! #GlassBottomBoats @VisitFlorida #FLStateParks #FloridaNow #LoveFL #OcalaMarion pic.twitter.com/KZ5HpCVayD

  — Silver Springs (@SilverSpringsSP) September 15, 2017

• 7. Tarpon Springs

  Whether you visit for the food, or a dolphin cruise, or to learn the history of the sponge docks of Tarpon Springs, it’s a family trip that isn’t so far.

  

  (Photo by Geno/BBGI)