CAPE MAN WINS BIG IN STATE LOTTERY

Carl Klose of Cape Girardeau had plenty of spending money and a surprise waiting for his friends when they made the trip to St. Louis Friday afternoon.

He told his traveling companions he had to collect $25,000 on a winning Jan. 25 Show-Me-5 ticket.

A self-employed woodworker, Klose said his friends told him last week they wanted to go to St. Louis Feb. 3. He decided to wait until they arrived in St. Louis before suggesting that they stop off at the Missouri Lottery office.

"I still don't think they believe me," Klose said. He randomly picked his winning numbers, 20, 21, 24, 26 and 28 at Schnucks in Cape Girardeau.

Schnucks general manager Dennis Marchi said Klose drew the richest Show-Me-5 ticket at his store to date. "We've had people win more money, but that's the most I've seen on a Show-Me-5 ticket," Marchi said.

Klose said he plans to use the money to pay bills and buy a new utility shed.

Missouri Lottery officials said 28 percent federal and 4 percent state taxes are withheld from the total prize amount of $36,764.70 to provide $25,000 cash at the time of redemption.