Michael Johnson of Middletown claimed a $50,000 “Super Crossword” Instant Ticket prize on Thursday, April 21st.

Johnson stopped at Colbea, 1149 West Main Rd., Middletown, with his friend early Thursday and they both purchased an Instant Ticket for fun.

His friend won $20, and to Mr. Johnson’s surprise, he won the top prize! He plans to put the money that he won in the bank.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...