Tag Archives: wanless
Facebook Removes Fake Page of S. Dakota Powerball Winner
Facebook Removes Fake Page of S. Dakota Powerball Winner
Recently a South Dakota rancher who had fallen on hard times won the Powerball lottery. Neal Wanless, the winner, will walk away with $88 million after taxes. The big win received extensive press coverage. It was reported that the Wanless family had a mobile home repossessed and that the family couldn’t afford a phone. Mr. Wanless displayed a great amount of humility about his new found fortune vowing not to squander his winnings and promised to help those in the community who had supported the Wanless family during hard times.
It has been reported that someone using Wanless’s name set up a facebook page using his name. The profile using Wanless’s name quickly acquired 120 ‘friends.’ The Facebook page used the big winner’s real name and featured a picture of a cowboy riding into the sunset. On the information page was, “Looking For: Dating.” So far Powerball winner Wanless has issued no statement regarding the fake Facebook page. Facebook spokesman Simon Axten said the page has been disabled because it violates
Facebook’s terms and policies. Axten further stated, “Facebook has always been based on a real-name culture. We think this leads to greater accountability and a safer and more trusted environment for our users. It’s a violation of our policies to use a fake name or operate under another person’s identity, and we encourage users to report anyone they think is doing this, either through the report links we provide on the site or through the contact forms on our Help page.”
Before the page was shut down many well wishers had posted messages. One message read, “Must be nice! Being a single mom of 3 kids, I could definitely use a lottery win right now”¦ maybe then I could actually afford a house ¦ keep on dreaming right?”
Facebook spokesman Axten said he could not comment on the possibility of charges against the person who set up the fake page but said the company generally does not press charges for fake pages. So far Powerball winner Wanless seems to be taking his big win in stride. Neighbors of Wanless have no doubt that he will fulfill his promise to pay the community back for their generosity towards his family during troubled times.
Computer technology could very well affect the way lotteries do business in the near future. Several states are considering moves that would make the sale of online lottery tickets legal. Players will be able to log on to state lottery websites and make an online lottery purchase. Cash strapped states hope to fill state coffers with new lottery money by combining lotteries with 21st century technology.
S Dakota Cowboy Wins Powerball Jackpot
S Dakota Cowboy Wins Powerball Jackpot
Ranching in South Dakota can be a pretty hardscrabble existence. Severe weather conditions, uncertain rainfall, drastic changes in temperature can make ranching uncertain at best. South Dakota remains one of the poorest states in America. In an astounding turn of events a rancher too poor to afford a phone has just won a $232 million Powerball jackpot.
Neal Wanless a 23 year old rancher joins the ranks of some of the biggest lottery winners in history. Mr. Wanless is an extremely hard working young man who has struggled to help his family make ends meet. Wanless, who is single, lives with his parents on a 230 acre cattle ranch near Mission, South Dakota. Wanless will take home $88 million after taxes and plans to continue ranching. The Wanless family had fallen on hard times; last year a mobile home was repossessed and records show the family is $3,552 behind in their property taxes.
Wanless took a chance and bought $15 worth of lottery tickets at a store in Winner S.D. while on a trip into town to buy livestock feed.
Neighbor Dave Assman (real name) said, “They’ve been real short on finances for a long time. They are from real meager means, I guess you’d say.” Cathy Vrbka, the county assessor, expressed her good wishes for the family and said, “I hope they enjoy their money. They work hard, backbreaking hard work.”
Wanless expresses his appreciation to his community and plans to use some of his winnings to benefit his community. “My family has been helped by the community, and I intend to repay that help many times over,” said a grateful Wanless. It should be noted that people in the rural west have a very strong sense of community and the well wishers are numerous. Everyone in the community seems happy for the Wanless family but now that Wanless is a multi millionaire how long he will stay single is anybody’s guess. It is truly heartwarming to read of a deserving family finally getting a break.
For rural states like S Dakota the sale of online lottery tickets could be a blessing to lottery players. In states like S. Dakota lottery players may have to drive a considerable distance to the nearest lottery retailer. Most states that allow players to buy lotto tickets online report an increase in sales. Players in rural states could log on to their state lottery site and make an online lottery purchase without leaving the comfort of home. Online lottery tickets are clearly the wave of the future.