Helena Couple Wins $25,000 A Year for Life Prize

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Helena couple has claimed a $25,000-a-year for life prize in the Lucky for Life lottery game that debuted in Montana in late January.

Montana Lottery officials say Steve and Mary Ann Rice claimed their first year's winnings on Wednesday. They bought their winning ticket for the Feb. 26 drawing at Van's Thriftway in Helena.

Steve Rice had purchased a Lucky for Life ticket for an earlier drawing and matched the lucky ball, winning $4. He used that to buy two more tickets and called his wife to see if she wanted another one. The third ticket was the winner.

They plan to use this year's winnings to pay some bills and visit their daughter in Washington, D.C.

The prize is guaranteed to be paid out for at least 20 years.