Missionary on lucky streak

BRANDON -- Local residents have been lucky gamblers this past week. On Monday, a Brandon man redeemed a scratch-off ticket for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a week after a Valrico couple won $4-million in a Lotto drawing.

The instant winner of the new Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200, Arthur Ballard, bought the $2 ticket while with a friend he had met in Bulgaria where he is a missionary. Ballard, 62, is home in Brandon on leave.

It will take four to six weeks for Ballard to get his motorcycle, officials said.

"I have owned Harleys before, but have never won anything like this," an excited Ballard told lottery officials.

The motorcycle scratch-off game promises eight Harleys in all. Ballard claimed the sixth one.

The Valrico couple, Samuel and Agnes Galando, won $4-million in the Sept. 21 Lotto drawing.

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