Luck was on the side of nearly a dozen Wilmington-area residents who hit the jackpot playing the North Carolina Education Lottery in 2025.
For some of the recipients, like Wilmington residents Krystal Hastings and James Patana, the money means realizing the dream of buying a home.
Others, like Pender County’s Robert Lee, who planned to buy some new lawnmower blades, didn’t have big plans but said the money would come in handy.Winner after winner expressed surprise when they realized they had luck on their side:…