Iowa firefighter blazes a trail to $1 Million Powerball prize

Trent Baker, a firefighter from Newton, Iowa, became a millionaire during a rather extraordinary weekend.

Not only did the Midwest experience a total eclipse, but Baker also claimed a $1 million prize from the Saturday Powerball drawing.

Baker wasn't aiming for the billion-dollar jackpot won in Oregon, but his ticket matched the first five numbers, making him a second-tier winner.

Checking his lottery tickets early Sunday morning, Baker's phone buzzed with the news. He initially questioned if it was a million or a billion, leading to a moment of "panic mode."

Sharing the news with his mom proved difficult – at 6:45 a.m., she didn't believe him at first! A quick confirmation at a convenience store solidified his win.

By Monday, Baker had a plan. He consulted a financial planner, addressed his student loans, and earmarked the bulk of his winnings for investment.

Baker told the Iowa Lottery:

I'm 17 years away from retirement. This could help impact my retirement even more. I don't want to squander it and have to try to work harder for it all over again. This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Let's make it last as much as possible.

Baker purchased the winning ticket at a local Hy-Vee, which will receive a $1,000 bonus for selling the lucky pick.

While Baker has a long-term vision for his windfall, there's also a short-term treat in store for his fire station colleagues. As tradition dictates, a media appearance means one thing: ice cream for everyone!

Lucky numbers lottery details

Saturday's winning numbers: 22, 27, 44, 52, 69, Powerball 9. Power Play number: 3. The jackpot has reset to a $20 million annuity, or $9.4 million lump sum, for the next drawing.

New to Powerball? This is how to play.

Pick five numbers from 1 to 69 and a separate Powerball number from 1 to 26. The more numbers you match in a drawing, the bigger your prize! Match all six, and you win the jackpot. You can also choose easy pick for the system to randomly select your numbers. Want to play multiple drawings? Select the multi-draw option for tickets lasting up to 10 consecutive Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

Fueling good works across Iowa

The Iowa Lottery isn't just about creating millionaires (though that's certainly a perk!). Since launching in 1985, it's become a major source of funding for important programs that benefit all Iowans.

Here's how a lottery ticket contributes:

• Education: From elementary schools to universities, lottery proceeds help ensure Iowans have access to quality education.
• Veterans Support: A portion of lottery funds goes directly to veterans' programs, providing assistance with job training, education, and healthcare.
• Building a Strong Economy: Lottery money fuels economic development initiatives that create jobs and strengthen Iowa's overall economic health.
• Public Safety & More: Lottery funds also support law enforcement, natural resource conservation, and essential health and family services.

Enjoy the Iowa Lottery, and please play responsibly.