$50,000 Powerball ticket in danger of going unclaimed in East Huntingdon

If you're breaking out your winter coat, check the pockets: Two winning Pennsylvania Lottery tickets worth $50,000 each are set to expire in January — and one was sold in Westmoreland County.

“We're issuing an early reminder of these expiring tickets because so many people are very busy during the holiday season,” Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko said. “We want players to check every ticket, every time, to avoid missing out on a prize they have won.”

A Powerball ticket sold at Ciggy's Discount Tobacco, 248 Crossroads Plaza, East Huntingdon, for the Jan. 21, 2017, drawing has gone unclaimed. It matched four of the five white balls drawn, 23-25-45-52-67, and the red Powerball, 02, to win $50,000, less withholding. It must be claimed by Jan. 21, 2018.

The other ticket nearing expiration is a Pick 5 evening drawing ticket sold at Turkey Hill Minit Mart, 460 W. Main St., Nanticoke, in Luzerne County for the Jan. 12, 2017, drawing. It matched all five white balls drawn, 8-1-0-5-8, to win $50,000, less withholding. It must be claimed by Jan. 12, 2018.

The Pennsylvania Lottery encourages claimants to sign the back of the ticket and file a claim at a Lottery retailer or their nearest Lottery office. Lottery offices are closed on weekends.

By law, unclaimed prizes must remain in the Lottery Fund to pay for programs benefiting older Pennsylvanians.