Vilna man wins Lotto Lightning pot of nearly $700K

Image: WCLC.

Phillip Hofer has gotten richer — at least his retirement fund is.

The Vilna man was a lucky Lotto Lightning winner of $697,169 after purchasing a ticket at Vilna Family Grocery in December.

“It just lit up the screen,” Hofer said. “I couldn’t believe it.

“The ‘winner’ notification came up and I froze,” he said. “Then I grabbed the ticket and bolted. I drove right to my buddy’s house to tell him.”

WCLC confirmed that Hofer’s winning numbers on Dec. 9 were 3, 4, 23, 37, 46.

Hofer said he wants to travel and top up his retirement fund, as well as help his friend around the acreage.

“I want to top-up my retirement and then take a trip to Vietnam or Palm Springs,” he said. “I have travelled the world with work, but Vietnam is one place I have not been.”