Rachel Adkins of Glasco couldn't get her instant scratch ticket checked by the store clerk Thursday for the simple reason that she refused to let go of it

Adkins really, truly did win $25,000. It was confirmed Friday when she finally had to let go of her $5 Wheel & Deal ticket to claim it at Lottery headquarters. The thrilled winner said she owes it all to a friend of hers.

"I have a really good friend who's won $20,000 twice playing Bonus Crossword," explained Adkins. "She told me to just keep playing and I might eventually win something big. I didn't believe her."

Adkins may not have believed her, but she took her advice anyway. Adkins estimates she regularly spends $20-30 a week on scratch tickets and buys tickets at several locations. It was Pump Mart, located at 120 W. 8th St. in Beloit that sold her the $25,000 winner.

Adkins is the assistant manager at Sonic in Beloit. She's single, lives with her parents, and already knows exactly how she's going to spend her prize money.

"I'm going to buy a new roof for my parents' house," Adkins said. "My mom's sewing room is leaking, and she has to have her sewing room. She sews the most beautiful hand-braided rugs, and it gives her so much pleasure to make them."