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Education Funding

Bellmore Man Turns $2 Ticket Into $4.5M Payday Bellmore Man Turns $2 Ticket Into $4.5M Payday
Bellmore Man Turns $2 Ticket Into $4.5M Payday A Long Island lottery player just scored a life-changing win, claiming a CASH4LIFE prize worth at least $7 million. Jason Champagne, of Bellmore, claimed the $1,000 A Day For Life top prize after his ticket matched the first five numbers drawn on Dec. 9, 2025, according to the New York Lottery. The winning numbers were 12, 24, 36, 54, and 56, with Cash Ball 02. While the prize guarantees a minimum payout of $7 million paid out over time, Champagne opted to take the cash value instead. He received a one-time lump sum payment of $4,557,000 after required withholdings. The winning ticket was…
Jackpot! $30K Winning Lottery Ticket Sold At Levittown Business Jackpot! $30K Winning Lottery Ticket Sold At Levittown Business
Jackpot! $30K Winning Lottery Ticket Sold At Levittown Business Someone on Long Island is holding a lucky slip of paper worth more than $30,000. One top-prize ticket was sold for the Tuesday, Sept. 23, TAKE 5 evening drawing, according to the New York Lottery. The winning ticket, worth $30,269.50, was purchased at ISY Services, located at 12 East Village Green in Levittown. TAKE 5 players pick numbers from a field of one through 39, with drawings held daily at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Winners have up to one year to claim their prize. The New York Lottery, which contributed $3.6 billion to state education in fiscal year 2024-2025, remains the largest a…
Cranford's Will Thilly Goes Viral For Silent Breakdance At Township Committee Meeting Cranford's Will Thilly Goes Viral For Silent Breakdance At Township Committee Meeting
Cranford's Will Thilly Goes Viral For Silent Breakdance At Township Committee Meeting Will Thilly didn’t just walk up to speak.  He spun, dropped, and breakdanced in silence for nearly 40 seconds. The Cranford Township Committee candidate brought the drama — and the dance moves — to the public meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, breakdancing his way to the podium before calling out local officials on taxes. Once he reached the mic, Thilly sighed, grabbed some water and papers, and casually asked how everyone’s weekend was. He told the room he’d just gotten back from Mexico. “There’s no pizza there … [but] it’s a beautiful town with lots of history,” Thilly said, before tossi…
Jackpot! $1M Scratch-Off Prize Claimed By Deer Park Man Jackpot! $1M Scratch-Off Prize Claimed By Deer Park Man
Jackpot! $1M Scratch-Off Prize Claimed By Deer Park Man In the dog days of summer, one Suffolk County man is cooling off with a million-dollar payday. Gus Anastasiadis, of Deer Park, claimed the $1 million top prize on the New York Lottery’s Millionaire Maker scratch-off game, officials announced. Anastasiadis opted for a single lump-sum payment, taking home $651,006 after required withholdings. The lucky ticket was purchased at Trakia (Sunoco) on Deer Park Avenue in Dix Hills. As of now, there are still five $1,000,000 prizes left in the Millionaire Maker game. Players can check the latest status of any scratch-off at nylottery.ny.gov. Scrat…
$348M Mega Millions Ticket Sold At 'Luckiest VA Store' Is Largest Jackpot In State History $348M Mega Millions Ticket Sold At 'Luckiest VA Store' Is Largest Jackpot In State History
$348M Mega Millions Ticket Sold At 'Luckiest VA Store' Is Largest Jackpot In State History Someone in Virginia is holding a ticket worth $348 million – the largest jackpot in Virginia Lottery history – and it was sold at a little location that now just might be the “luckiest store in Virginia,” officials said. The winning Mega Millions ticket matched all six numbers in the June 27 drawing and was purchased at E & C Mid-Atlantic in Burgess, according to the Virginia Lottery. While the jackpot winner hasn’t stepped forward yet, Virginia Lottery Executive Director Khalid Jones visited the store to present E & C Mid-Atlantic Vice President of Operations Juan Torres with a cer…
MA Tops New National Rankings For School Quality, Safety: Here's Why MA Tops New National Rankings For School Quality, Safety: Here's Why
MA Tops New National Rankings For School Quality, Safety: Here's Why Many public school systems in the Northeast are outperforming the rest of the country in quality and safety, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 list of States with the Best & Worst School Systems on Monday, July 21. The study ranked every state's public schools based on academic performance, safety, funding, and teacher credentials. Massachusetts ranked No. 1 in the country, earning top scores in both fourth- and eighth-grade math and reading. The Bay State also had the highest share of students scoring a three or better on Advanced Placement (AP) exams and …
Little Ferry Nightlife Icon DJ Ammo Dies Suddenly, Shockwaves Spread Through NYC Club Scene Little Ferry Nightlife Icon DJ Ammo Dies Suddenly, Shockwaves Spread Through NYC Club Scene
Little Ferry Nightlife Icon DJ Ammo Dies Suddenly, Shockwaves Spread Through NYC Club Scene Friends, family, and fans are mourning the sudden loss of Mossna M. Varasteh, a Bergen County native known worldwide as DJ Ammo, whose reach spanned from New York City to Asia. Varasteh, 42, died on Tuesday, July 8. He had gone to bed, gotten up around 5 a.m., gone back to sleep and was found unresponsive just hours later, his loved ones said. An exact cause has not yet been identified. Ammo had recently returned from performances in Japan, Germany, Amsterdam, and Aruba, and was still DJing major New York City events just weeks before his passing. He got his start in the summer after 8th g…
$1M Lottery Prize Claimed By Lucky Aquebogue Lady $1M Lottery Prize Claimed By Lucky Aquebogue Lady
$1M Lottery Prize Claimed By Lucky Aquebogue Lady A lucky Long Island lady is $1 million richer. Maria Messina, of Aquebogue, claimed the seven-figure prize after matching the first five numbers in the March 26 Powerball drawing, according to the New York Lottery. Messina’s golden ticket – no chocolate bar required – hit all the numbers except the red Powerball, which would’ve landed her the full jackpot. After required withholdings, she walked away with a lump sum of $651,000. The winning numbers that changed her life? 05, 20, 29, 39, 53, and Powerball 06. Messina purchased the lucky ticket at Kings Hampton Bays C-Store, located at 239…
Double The Fun: $1M Lottery Prizes Claimed By Hempstead Women, Second Player Double The Fun: $1M Lottery Prizes Claimed By Hempstead Women, Second Player
Double The Fun: $1M Lottery Prizes Claimed By Hempstead Women, Second Player Not one, but two lucky Long Islanders are enjoying million-dollar lottery payouts. Two women, both residents of Nassau County, claimed $1 million jackpots in recent days, according to New York Lottery. AnnaMaria Gjomarkaj, of Hempstead, claimed a second prize Mega Millions ticket in the Oct. 1, 2024, drawing. She received a lump sump payment of $651,000 after required withholdings. Gjomarkaj purchased the lucky ticket in Newburgh, at the Smokes 4 Less located at 59 North Plank Road. Not to be outdone was Ann Hickson, of Roosevelt, who snagged a $1 million prize on the New York Lottery’s …
Cha-Ching! $1M Lottery Prize Claimed By Central Islip Player Cha-Ching! $1M Lottery Prize Claimed By Central Islip Player
Cha-Ching! $1M Lottery Prize Claimed By Central Islip Player A Long Island lottery player rolled the dice and hit the jackpot. Janiah Williams, of Central Islip, claimed a $1 million top prize after snagging a winning “Holiday Cash” scratch-off game, the New York Lottery announced. Williams received a lump sum payout of $455,700 after paying Uncle Sam his cut. The lucky ticket was purchased in Islip Terrace, at the 7-Eleven located at 56 Lowell Avenue, for a cool $10.  Scratch-off games generated more than $4.3 billion in total sales during fiscal year 2023-2024, lottery officials said. Of that, school districts in Suffolk County received over…
Newly Minted Millionaire: Lowell Man Plans To Use $4M Lottery Jackpot For Family's Future Newly Minted Millionaire: Lowell Man Plans To Use $4M Lottery Jackpot For Family's Future
Newly Minted Millionaire: Lowell Man Plans To Use $4M Lottery Jackpot For Family's Future A Lowell man says he wants to use his $4 million Massachusetts State Lottery jackpot to secure his family’s future. Erik Arsenault won the grand prize in the “$4,000,000 Diamonds” scratch-off game, a $10 instant ticket. Related: Central Mass Karate Instructor Lands $1M Lottery Win He chose the lump-sum payout of $2.6 million (before taxes) instead of the annuity option, which would pay the full prize over 20 years. Arsenault said he plans to use the winnings to support his family, fund his daughter’s education, and purchase a new car. He bought the ticket at the appropriately named Luc…
Lamont’s Veto Of $40M Special Ed Funds Sparks Educator Outrage: 'That Is Unacceptable' Lamont’s Veto Of $40M Special Ed Funds Sparks Educator Outrage: 'That Is Unacceptable'
Lamont’s Veto Of $40M Special Ed Funds Sparks Educator Outrage: 'That Is Unacceptable' Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont returned home on Monday, March 3, and vetoed a $40 million spending measure for special education initiatives in cities and towns across the state. Now, educators are urging lawmakers to override that decision. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support last week before reaching the governor's desk. The measure would allocate $40 million to this school year's budget to cover special education funding gaps. Lamont told reporters Monday that he wanted to preserve the state's spending cap, which is designed to keep the state financially stable. State lawm…
Yowza! $10M Lottery Jackpot Claimed By NY Woman Yowza! $10M Lottery Jackpot Claimed By NY Woman
Yowza! $10M Lottery Jackpot Claimed By NY Woman A New York woman has many more reasons to smile–ten million, to be exact. Saratoga County resident Jessica Koonce, of Clifton Park, claimed a top prize on the $10,000 A Week For Life scratch-off game, according to New York Lottery. The prize guarantees a minimum payout of $10 million. Koonce opted to receive lifetime annuity payments of $338,520 each, after required withholdings. She snagged the incredibly lucky ticket at the Stewart’s Shops located on South Street in Mechanicville, lottery officials said. There was still one top prize remaining on the $10,000 A Week For Life ticket as of…
Check Your Tickets: $1.6M Virginia Lottery 'Cash 5' Jackpot Set To Expire Check Your Tickets: $1.6M Virginia Lottery 'Cash 5' Jackpot Set To Expire
Check Your Tickets: $1.6M Virginia Lottery 'Cash 5' Jackpot Set To Expire Someone in Virginia is about to lose out on a life-changing $1,615,053 lottery prize unless they act fast. officials are cautioning. The winning ticket for the June 11, Cash 5 with EZ Match drawing matched all five numbers—01-12-19-22-31—but no one has claimed the jackpot as of Wednesday, Dec. 4. Under Virginia law, lottery prizes expire after 180 days, officials said.  Since the deadline falls on a Sunday, players have until 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, to redeem the ticket. After that, the ticket becomes worthless. The ticket was purchased at the Wawa at 7847 Compass Point Lane in Mec…
Newly-Minted Millionaire! Little Ferry Man Claims $1 Million Lotto Prize Sold At NY Gas Station Newly-Minted Millionaire! Little Ferry Man Claims $1 Million Lotto Prize Sold At NY Gas Station
Newly-Minted Millionaire! Little Ferry Man Claims $1 Million Lotto Prize Sold At NY Gas Station A Bergen County resident is celebrating a life-changing windfall after claiming a $1 million prize from the New York Lottery sold over the summer. Paul Seo, Little Ferry, matched the first five numbers — 34, 55, 59, 65, and 70 — missing only the Mega Ball, which was 12. Seo opted for a lump sum payment, taking home $651,000 after required withholdings. Seo purchased the winning ticket from the Aug. 13 drawing at 741 Montauk Inc., a BP gas station located at 741 Montauk Highway in Shirley, NY. The New York Lottery reported that Mega Millions generated $441,182,494 in sales during the 2023-2…
Double The Fun: Pair Of $1M Lottery Prizes Claimed By Mastic, St. James Men Double The Fun: Pair Of $1M Lottery Prizes Claimed By Mastic, St. James Men
Double The Fun: Pair Of $1M Lottery Prizes Claimed By Mastic, St. James Men Talk about a massive payday. Two Long Island men have a million more reasons to be smiling after winning seven-figure lottery prizes. Jose Carranza, of Mastic, claimed a $1 million prize on the “Platinum Power” scratch-off game, New York Lottery announced. He purchased the lucky ticket in east Moriches, at East End Marketing on Montauk Highway. After paying Uncle Sam, Carranza pocketed $416,641. Not to be outdone was Ricky Alessi, of St. James, who claimed his own $1 million windfall after hitting a Powerball second prize for the drawing held Monday, May 27. Alessi received a lump sum…
$1M Lottery Jackpot: Everett Man Prepares For Kids' Future With Winnings $1M Lottery Jackpot: Everett Man Prepares For Kids' Future With Winnings
$1M Lottery Jackpot: Everett Man Prepares For Kids' Future With Winnings An Everett man said he wants to fund his children's education with the $1 million Massachusetts State Lottery jackpot he won earlier this month.  Pedro Chacon, a truck driver and father of three, won the seven-figure sum playing the “$1,000,000 Winning 7,” a $5 scratch-off ticket.  Related: Marlborough Man Wins $2M Lottery Jackpot Chacon chose to take the lump sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  He bought the ticket at Fine Mart Convenience at 180 Ferry St. in Everett. The store will get a $10,000 bonus for the sale. 
$3M Jackpot: Capital Region Player Hits It Big On Scratch-Off Game $3M Jackpot: Capital Region Player Hits It Big On Scratch-Off Game
$3M Jackpot: Capital Region Player Hits It Big On Scratch-Off Game He rolled the dice and hit the jackpot. A man from the region has three million more reasons to be smiling after claiming the top prize on a scratch-off game. John Terry, of Schenectady, was the lucky player to claim a $3 million jackpot on the New York Lottery’s Xtreme Cash scratch-off-game. Terry purchased the fortuitous ticket in Albany County, at the Hannaford store located in Colonie on Wolf Road, according to lottery officials. After paying Uncle Sam his cut, he pocketed a lump sum payment totaling $1,406,160. Scratch-off games generated over $4.4 billion in total sales during fisc…
Winning $150K Powerball Ticket Sold At Virginia Store In Danger Of Expiring (UPDATED) Winning $150K Powerball Ticket Sold At Virginia Store In Danger Of Expiring (UPDATED)
Winning $150K Powerball Ticket Sold At Virginia Store In Danger Of Expiring (Updated) Lottery officials in Virginia are urging players to check their tickets as a Powerball winner is in danger of missing out on a $150,000 windfall. A lucky Lottery player won big on the Jan. 20 drawing, but nearly six months later, no one has come forward to claim the prize, leaving the cash in jeopardy. The winning ticket was sold at Park N Shop, located at 301 East 2nd Ave. in Franklin City.  According to state law, winning tickets in Virginia expire 180 days after the drawing, meaning that it will simply become a worthless piece of paper as of 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 18. The w…
Heated Westchester Race Most Expensive Congressional Primary Ever With $25M Spent Heated Westchester Race Most Expensive Congressional Primary Ever With $25M Spent
Heated Westchester Race Most Expensive Congressional Primary Ever With $25M Spent The closely-watched Democratic race between Westchester County Executive George Latimer and incumbent Rep. Jamaal Bowman for New York's 16th District seat is about to come to a close as the most expensive congressional primary in history, according to reports. CBS News says nearly $25 million has been raised and spent during the race, which will be decided on Primary Election Day on Tuesday, June 25. Over half of this amount, $16 million, has been put toward anti-Bowman attack ads and was largely spent by United Democracy Project, a super PAC of the pro-Israel group American Israel Public…
$25K A Year For Life: Western Mass Man Wins Lottery Jackpot That Keeps Giving $25K A Year For Life: Western Mass Man Wins Lottery Jackpot That Keeps Giving
$25K A Year For Life: Western Mass Man Wins Lottery Jackpot That Keeps Giving A Western Mass Man recently won a lottery jackpot that will pay him off for the rest of his life.  Jacky Huang, of West Springfield, won the $25,000 a year for life prize as part of the multi-state Lucky for Life game. He matched all five numbers in the June 10 drawing.  He said he played his family members' birthdays for the numbers.  Huang chose to take the annuity payments of $25,000 (before taxes) that will run for the rest of his life, the Massachusetts State Lottery said.  He plans to put the money toward his sister's college tuition.  He bought the ticket …
Long Island Schools Received $600M From State Lottery Last Year Long Island Schools Received $600M From State Lottery Last Year
Long Island Schools Received $600M From State Lottery Last Year Lottery officials announced that Long Island schools received $600 million in the last fiscal year. A new report from the New York Lottery shows that of the $3.7 billion Lottery Aid to Education revenue raised yearly, Long Island schools received a pretty chunk of change. Between Nassau and Suffolk counties, the total amount of financial aid comes out to just under $600 million during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Of that, Nassau County schools received approximately $239 million, while Suffolk County schools got $359 million. The New York Lottery has contributed to state education since …
NJ District To Cut 51 Teachers, Staff In 'Most Difficult' Budget Of Superintendent's Career NJ District To Cut 51 Teachers, Staff In 'Most Difficult' Budget Of Superintendent's Career
NJ District To Cut 51 Teachers, Staff In 'Most Difficult' Budget Of Superintendent's Career In his 31 years of leading school districts, East Brunswick Public Schools Superintendent Victor Valeski said he'd never had to craft a school budget as difficult as the one for 2024-25. There was an $7.8 million rise in costs and $1.3 million reduction in state aid in next year's school budget.  "This is by far the hardest and most impactful," Valeski told Daily Voice. A total of 51 staff members had to be eliminated, Valeski said. The cuts included 15 teachers, 10 instructional coaches, seven school counselors and the assistant superintendent of student activities and services. Th…
Long Island Man Claims $1M Lottery Prize Long Island Man Claims $1M Lottery Prize
Long Island Man Claims $1M Lottery Prize One very lucky Long Islander won $1 million from a scratch-off game, according to lottery officials. Walter Jewels of Freeport claimed his prize on Thursday, April 11, the New York State Lottery announced. Jewels won his $1 million prize on a Magic 8 Ball scratch-off game which he purchased at Curiosity Cards & Gifts, located at 193 Atlantic Avenue in Freeport. He received his winnings in a single lump sum payment that totaled $445,356 after required withholdings. According to the New York State Lottery, there is only one more top prize remaining for the Magic 8 Ball game, so there…
Prize-Winning Powerball Ticket Sold At This Long Island Store Prize-Winning Powerball Ticket Sold At This Long Island Store
Prize-Winning Powerball Ticket Sold At This Long Island Store A third-prize-winning ticket sold on Long Island has made one lucky person tens of thousands of dollars richer. The ticket was sold in Uniondale and was part of the Wednesday, March 27 drawing, according to New York State Lottery officials. It was purchased at Accent Lobby Store, located at 260 Reckson Plaza, and is worth $50,000. Winning Powerball numbers are drawn from a field of one to 69 with the red Powerball being drawn from a separate field of one to 26. Drawings are televised on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the New York State L…
Proposed $6M Budget Cuts At Hudson Valley School District Spark Outrage Proposed $6M Budget Cuts At Hudson Valley School District Spark Outrage
Proposed $6M Budget Cuts At Hudson Valley School District Spark Outrage A Hudson Valley school district has sparked outrage among residents by proposing a budget for the next year that contains at least $6 million in cuts, which could affect many student programs and teaching jobs.  At a Board of Education meeting in Putnam County held on Tuesday night, March 12 at Carmel High School, countless community members spoke out about the budget, proposed by the Carmel Central School District for the 2023-2024 school year.  According to district documents, the budget could include at least $6 million in cuts to teaching jobs, after-school programs, fie…
Cha-Ching! $50K-Winning Lotto Ticket Sold At Long Island Store Cha-Ching! $50K-Winning Lotto Ticket Sold At Long Island Store
Cha-Ching! $50K-Winning Lotto Ticket Sold At Long Island Store One lucky Long Islander is tens of thousands of dollars richer after a store sold a prize-winning Powerball ticket. A third-place winning Powerball ticket was sold at Main Street Mart, located at 230 Main Street in Center Moriches, lottery officials announced on Thursday, Feb. 29. The winning ticket, worth $50,000, was part of the Wednesday, Feb. 28 drawing. Winning Powerball numbers are drawn from a field of one to 69, with red Powerball numbers drawn from a separate field of one to 26. Drawings are televised every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. According to the New Y…
New $50K Lottery Ticket Sold At Long Island Store New $50K Lottery Ticket Sold At Long Island Store
New $50K Lottery Ticket Sold At Long Island Store Just days after one Long Islander won tens of thousands, a second winning ticket worth the same amount has been announced. The third-place-winning Powerball ticket, worth $50,000, was sold in East Hampton for the Monday, Feb. 12 drawing, according to lottery officials. It was sold at the Stop & Shop located at 67 Newtown Lane.  Related - Big Win: $50K Powerball Tickets Sold At Holtsville Store The news comes just a day after another winning ticket, also a Powerball, was sold in Suffolk County for the Saturday, Feb. 10 drawing. That ticket was purchased in Holtsville. Po…
Big Win: $50K Powerball Tickets Sold At Northern Westchester Store Big Win: $50K Powerball Tickets Sold At Northern Westchester Store
Big Win: $50K Powerball Tickets Sold At Northern Westchester Store Three people are each tens of thousands of dollars richer after winning Powerball tickets were sold in stores on Long Island and in Westchester. Chiefs fans aren’t the only winners coming out of this weekend, according to New York Lottery officials. Multiple third-place-winning Powerball tickets, worth $50,000 each, were sold in the state for the Saturday, Feb. 10 drawing in Suffolk and Westchester counties: Waverly Express Mart, located at 1106 Waverly Avenue in Holtsville 7-Eleven, located at 112 Route 100 in Somers A third ticket, worth the same amount, was sold in Manhattan at a new…
Winning Lotto Ticket Sold At This Long Island Supermarket Winning Lotto Ticket Sold At This Long Island Supermarket
Winning Lotto Ticket Sold At This Long Island Supermarket Winner winner, chicken dinner! A top-prize Take 5 Midday ticket from the Saturday, Jan. 20 drawing was sold at a Freeport supermarket, according to New York Lottery officials. Worth $6,186.50, the ticket was purchased at Compare Foods (Gala Foods Supermarket), which is located at 111 West Merrick Road. The prize can be claimed up to one year from the drawing date. Take 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one to 39, with drawings televised twice daily at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. During the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the New York Lottery contributed $3.7 billion to help support education i…
Winning Lottery Ticket Sold At This Long Island Convenience Store Winning Lottery Ticket Sold At This Long Island Convenience Store
Winning Lottery Ticket Sold At This Long Island Convenience Store Could you be the lucky winner? A top-prize winning Take 5 lottery ticket was sold at a Wantagh convenience store, New York Lottery officials announced on Friday, Jan. 5. Sold at AIM Petroleum, located at 1442 Wantagh Avenue, the winner’s prize is $18,252.00. Take 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39 and drawings are televised two times daily, at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Lottery officials reminded players that any winning prizes can be claimed up to one year after the drawing date. During the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the New York State Lottery contributed $3.7 billion to …