Burke Co. man plans to pay off mortgage with lottery win

A Burke County man is planning to pay off his mortgage and possibly buy a new vehicle after winning the lottery.

Mark Tallent, a Mountain Recycling utility worker from Connelly Springs, won a $155,807 Carolina Cash 5 jackpot. Tallent purchased 10 Quick Pick tickets for the Feb. 20 drawing at the Shop & Save on First Avenue in Hickory. The fourth ticket turned out to be the big winner.

He said he was in his living room on Monday morning when he checked his numbers on the Internet.

"I went straight to the bedroom and got my wife up," Tallent said. "I had to get her to verify that I was seeing what I was seeing."

Tallent received a check for $105,950 after state and federal taxes were withheld. He said he may use some of his winnings to take a trip to enjoy one of his favorite hobbies.

"I may go to Arizona and do some gold prospecting," Tallent said. "I've been a member of the Gold Prospectors Association of America for quite a few years. I love it. I may go to Alaska or California. It's a good hobby."