By: Richard L. Smith
NJ residents are once again rushing to convenience stores and lottery counters across the state as the Powerball jackpot has surged to an astonishing $930 million after no winning ticket was drawn last night. 
The prize now stands just shy of the billion-dollar mark and is expected to cross that threshold by the next drawing if sales continue at their current pace.
Lottery officials say the growing frenzy is obvious, with some lines forming Monday in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and throughout the Shore and South Jersey regions.
Many hopeful players are calling this one of the most exciting Powerball runs in recent years, especially with the jackpot approaching historic territory.
The last Powerball jackpot win came nearly two months ago, causing the prize to climb steadily with each drawing.
Now, with nearly $1 billion at stake, New Jersey players are wondering whether the next winning ticket could be sold here in the Garden State, something that has happened multiple times in recent Powerball history.
If a single ticket matches all six numbers, the lucky winner could choose the full jackpot paid out over 29 years or take a lump-sum cash option worth hundreds of millions.
The next drawing is set for Wednesday night, and if no one hits again, the jackpot could climb well beyond the billion-dollar mark.
For now, Powerball fever is sweeping New Jersey once again, along with the dream that lightning just might strike here next.