‘So happy’: North Carolina woman plans to buy house with $1 million win

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WGHP) — Arely Mayorga Martinez, of Charlotte, plans to buy a house after winning a $1 million lottery prize, according to an NC Education Lottery news release.

“We are so happy,” she said.

Martinez said her husband bought the winning $10 Multiplier Mania ticket at Shopton Commons BP on Steele Creek Road in Charlotte and brought it home for her to scratch.

“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” she said.

After Martinez realized her ticket held a $1 million win, she decided to put it in a safe place until she claimed her prize.

“We hid it under our mattress,” she said.

When Martinez arrived at lottery headquarters Thursday, she had a decision to make.

She could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000.

She chose the lump sum of $600,000. After required state and federal tax withholdings, she took home $429,003.

Where can I get the latest lottery numbers?

Watch lottery drawings on FOX8! Mega Millions airs at 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday. Powerball airs at 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The NC Lottery airs at 11:22 p.m. every night.

You can also find the lottery results online on the FOX8 website .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.