Two Monterey County residents win at least $750,000 in lottery

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Two Monterey County residents, one in Seaside and one in Monterey, are celebrating big lottery wins, according to the California Lottery.

In Seaside, Kenia Hernandez won $1 million on a Monopoly Scratchers ticket she bought at La Morenita on Fremont Boulevard. In addition to Hernandez receiving a prize, La Morenita will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the ticket.

In Monterey, Maria Ruiz Alvarado won $750,000 playing the Lottery's Mystery Crossword game. She bought the ticket at the Lucky Zone on North Fremont Street. Alvarado says the win is a blessing from God for her and her family.

“Everyone dreams of buying a house, but it’s too expensive. We thought we would have to wait a little more,” she said.

The lottery provides supplemental funding to California public schools and universities.