LANSING, May 31, 2000 — Laura Hoover of Jackson is walking around with a little more pocket cash today after scratching off a Michigan Lottery "Fat Pockets" instant ticket to reveal she had won a $10,000 prize!

"I scratched the ticket off while sitting in my car," Hoover said. "I had to look at it about 10 times before I believed I had won! I screamed so loud I hurt my own ears!"

When she isn’t busy skeet and trap shooting, competition pistol shooting, drag racing, snowmobiling or riding motorcycles, the 41-year-old winner said she enjoys playing Michigan Lottery games. She said she has been playing Lottery games for the past 15 years and the instant games are her favorites.

The winning ticket was purchased at Clear Lake Service Center, 4400 Clear Lake Road, in Grass Lake. Prior to turning the winning ticket in at the Lottery’s regional office in Lansing, Hoover said she had her father, whom she jokingly referred to as her "bodyguard," hang onto it for her to ensure its safety.

The medical secretary at the University of Michigan said she plans to put her winnings in a savings account.

"Fat Pockets" is just one of many Michigan Lottery instant tickets available at more than 9,300 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

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