Whitefish man wins $500,000 lottery prize

HELENA (AP) — A Whitefish man has claimed a top prize in the “$500,000 Big Money” scratch lottery game.

Montana Lottery officials say Russell Wick claimed his winnings Tuesday. He bought his ticket at Town Pump on U.S. 2 East in Kalispell.

Wick, who is retired, says he plans to seek out financial advice before deciding how to spend his winnings.

Two other players claimed major prizes from scratch lottery games on Monday.

Juliann Livingston of Billings won $25,000 in the “$500,000 Big Money” game while Robert McMullen of Choteau claimed a top prize while playing a “$50,000 Rich” ticket he bought at the Loaf ‘n Jug in Great Falls.

Livingston, a student at Montana State University Billings, says she plans to pay off her student loans. McMullen, who is retired, says he plans to save his winnings.