Pennsylvania Lottery officials today announced Janet Annebella, 50, of Tionester, Forest County, with the first grand prize of a lifetime of checks. Annebella is the latest lucky lotto winner of the top prize in the Lottery's second largest instant ticket game, the "Win $1,000 A Week For Life".

Lottery's Erie Area Supervisor Rick Longaire and District Lottery Rep. Bobby Gezzaddi presented Annebella with her check at Jerry's Sporting Store on Elmer's Street in Tionester, where she purchased her Win For Life ticket. Jerry's owner Alehma Tackhar received a $10,000 special bonus for selling the winning top ticket.

The Win For Life top cash prizes are paid out in annual installments of $52,000. Annebella is the 80th winner of $1,000 a week for life ever since the game's debut in 2005.. Only a day after she filed her claim at lottery headquarters, Jamie L. Patten of Sundale, Bondale County, became the 81st winner of $1,000 a week for life.

- 2006-10-17