CLIVE, Iowa — A Cass County man said he was thrilled after scratching off a $30,000 lottery prize. 74-year-old George Evans., of Atlantic, said “Yesterday was one of my highlights of my life.” Evans claimed his prize Thursday at the Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive. “I go, ‘Woo hoo!’ That’s a woo-hoo moment!”

Evans won the fourth top prize in the Iowa Lottery’s “High Striker” scratch game. He bought a pair of tickets at Casey’s, 701 Poplar St. in Atlantic. The first ticket he scratched won $50, and Evans said he was excited. After he scratched the second, he was elated. Evans said “I thought, you know, everybody’s got the same chance. Someday, I’m going to win a big” prize, he said. “Well, yesterday was that day.”

George Evans, of Atlantic

Evans said after his big win, he tried to tell his family, but they refused to believe him until he showed them the lucky ticket. He also told his grandson, who was quick to offer a suggestion for how to use some of the winnings. “He went right into the other room, got a book that had electric motor scooters in it, and he says, ‘Can you get this one?'” Evans said with a laugh. Evans said he plans to put his winnings toward paying bills and an upcoming family cruise.

George Evans served the City of Atlantic for 39-years, including as Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent until his retirement in 2012.

High Striker is a $3 scratch game that features eight top prizes of $30,000 and overall odds of 1 in 3.88. For more information about this game, and the number of prizes still available, visit ialottery.com.