Powerball jackpot hits $270 million, as Pa., N.J. tickets just miss

The Powerball jackpot soared to $270 million for the annuity, $175.8 million for the cash because no one matched all the numbers drawn Wednesday night: 21, 22, 26, 30 and 57, with a Powerball of 27.

Because of high jackpots, Powerball and Mega Millions tickets have been selling at a rapid pace -- than 1,000 a minute on Tuesday just in Pennsylvania -- and with both jackpots higher now, expect the rate to get even more extreme. Mega Million's jackpot rose Tuesday night to $154 million for the annuity, $115 million for the cash.

Just missing the Powerball jackpot were four tickets: $2 million winners sold in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Nebraska, and a $1 million winner sold in New Jersey.

The $2 million Pennsylvania ticket was sold at the Turkey Hill at 815 Quentin Rd., in Lebanon, which is north of Lancaster.

The Jersey ticket was sold at Union City Liquor Store, 4122 Bergenline Ave., Union City in North Jersey.

The first three matched the first five numbers while having the Power Play prize-boosting option. The New Jersey ticket had the same numbers without the Power Play.

The next drawing is Saturday night.

For news on the latest Mega Millions lottery drawing, see: "Two Philly tickets win $250,000 each."

For more on lotteries, go to Philly.com's lottery page, Powerball's home page, or the Mega Millions website.

Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.