Boredom leads to man playing the lottery and winning record prize

Richmond, Va.

A Virginia man says his boredom helped him cash in on a lottery jackpot.

According to the Virginia Lottery, when Jerard Hickman gets bored, he likes to check its website to play some online games.

And his day got very exciting last week after finding out he won a $785,414 jackpot prize.

Lottery officials said Hickman won the jackpot while playing the Lucky Golden Multiplier game while he was at home.

The Virginia Lottery said it was the largest jackpot ever won in one of its online instant games.

“It feels fantastically awesome!” Hickman said. “If that’s a word, that’s how it feels!”

Hickman, a district manager for a transportation company, said he has no immediate plans for his winnings but does expect to pay some bills.

Officials said the Lucky Golden Multiplier is one of the dozens of online instant games available.

Starbucks Vanilla Frappuccino drinks recalled due to possibly containing glass

Distributor PepsiCo is recalling one of its products.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, more than 25,000 cases of Starbucks Frappuccino Vanilla drinks have been recalled nationwide.

Officials said the recall is due to the drinks possibly containing glass.

The drinks included in the recall are select 13.7-ounce Starbucks Frappuccino Vanilla drinks with expiration dates of March 8, May 29, June 4 and June 10, 2023.

According to the FDA, the recall started on Jan. 28 and is currently ongoing.

Consumers who have questions or concerns have been advised to contact consumer relations at 1-800-211-8307.

TSA officers stop man with loaded rifle, multiple rounds of ammunition in carry-on bag

New Orleans

Authorities say a passenger with a loaded weapon was stopped before boarding a plane heading to Houston this week.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, the incident happened at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

Officers said a loaded rifle and 163 rounds of ammunition were found in the passenger’s carry-on bag.

“Threat detection is our mission, and our dedicated workforce is protecting the traveling public every day,” said TSA Federal Security Director Arden Hudson.

TSA officers said they immediately contacted a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputy who took control of the loaded firearm and ammunition.

The traveler was a 52-year-old Jefferson, Louisiana, resident. TSA officials said he faces a civil penalty from the agency that could reflect a maximum of nearly $15,000.

“Passengers need to focus on what is inside their carry-ons before entering our checkpoint,” Hudson said. “The introduction of a loaded weapon poses an unnecessary risk to both the traveling public and our employees.”

According to the TSA, its team intercepted a total of 90 guns last year at the New Orleans airport, calling the number disturbingly high.

Woman fights off attacker in apartment complex gym

Hillsborough County, Fla.

A Florida woman shares how she fought off an attacker in an apartment complex’s gym.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred at the Inwood Park Apartment Complex on Jan. 22.

Deputies said they were called to investigate an assault and when they arrived 24-year-old Nashali Alma told them she escaped a man who attacked her in the gym.

Alma said she was exercising alone before letting the suspect into the gym. She explained that she opened the door for him because he was someone she’d seen previously there.

However, as she continued her workout, the suspect, later identified as 25-year-old Xavier Thomas-Jones, approached her and attempted to grab her waist.

Alma said she yelled at Thomas-Jones and demanded he gets away from her, but he continued to chase her around the gym.

Authorities said the suspect then grabbed Alma and pinned her on the floor.

According to Alma, she continued to fight him off while attempting to call 911 and he eventually released his grip.

Alma said she then immediately ran out of the gym to a nearby apartment.

The sheriff’s office reports that deputies were able to track Thomas-Jones down and arrest him in less than 24 hours.

After the ordeal, Alma said she wanted to speak out about her experience and encourage other women who’ve dealt with similar incidents to not stay quiet.

“I would tell every woman always to keep fighting, never give up,” she said. “As long as you fight back and show him that you’re strong and you’re not giving up, I believe it’s possible to escape.”

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister called Alma’s actions inspiring.

“I was disgusted by the suspect’s actions, how he preyed on this young woman,” Chronister said. “This woman’s strength, courage, and determination are inspiring. I know that her bravery to share this story will impact the lives of many other women.”

The sheriff’s office said Thomas-Jones is facing charges that include sexual battery, false imprisonment and kidnapping.

“It’s better to reach out to law enforcement sooner than later. The sooner they have the information, the sooner they can catch that person,” Alma said.

Celebrate love not just on Valentine’s Day for a healthier heart, experts say

Valentine’s Day and hearts go hand in hand, and medical experts say it’s good to keep love in the air throughout the year.

Dr. Thomas Rutledge, a professor at the University of California, San Diego, shared research in Psychology Today on heart health and love. He stated that the greatest gift love has to offer isn’t candy, flowers, or even diamonds; it is better health.

Rutledge reports that the health-boosting benefits of love enable people to be the best and most exciting version of themselves.

According to Rutledge, appreciating the many physical and emotional health changes produced by love begins with the heart.

The professor reports that the heart’s function, flow, and output dramatically alter when we experience love, with important health consequences.

Rutledge said research shows that a greater experience of love is associated with improved health and longevity. Love is communicated from the brain to the heart with the rush of energy improving cardiac rhythm.

Studies have found that the chemical and functional changes occurring with a love-empowered heart can make people more resilient to pain and stress, reduce the risk of and promote improved recovery from cardiovascular events, and help fight off infections, according to Rutledge.

The professor states that we can benefit by celebrating Valentine’s Day as a reminder of the vital importance of love in life with a commitment to creating deeper sources of love throughout the year.