The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

KIRKSVILLE, MO -- Colton Hurley, 19, of Kirksville, won $3,003 on a Missouri Lottery “Bingo Gold” Scratchers ticket. Hurley bought the winning ticket at Shop N Go at 2700 N. Baltimore, in Kirksville.

“I bought them, went home, popped a movie on and started scratching some,” recalled Hurley. “I checked it four or five times. I was sitting there saying, ‘OK, something isn’t right here.’ And then when I finally figured it out, I was like, ‘OK, how do I tell mom that I won $3,000?’”

He got the chance right away when his mom called.

“She said, ‘Call me back if it’s legitimate.’ I took it to the gas station, and they checked it. They said, ‘You won $3,000,’” added Hurley.

His mother, Lillian, accompanied Hurley to Jefferson City to claim the prize on June 18.

Hurley, a full-time student at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, lives in Kirksville and drives to Iowa to study auto mechanics, said the prize money would be used to buy new tires and a new hunting bow.

“The most I’ve ever won before this was $100,” he admitted. “I’m going to keep playing. It’s like I’m living a dream, and I don’t want to wake up.”

“Bingo Gold” is a $3 game that officially began Feb. 22. The game features a top prize of $55,558. More than $2 million in prizes, including one top prize, remain in the game. Track prizes remaining for any Missouri Lottery Scratchers game at Molottery.com.