Virginia

How impossible-to-explain events led Virginia woman to owning a home: 'I have peace'

Published

2 years ago

October 21, 2024

How impossible-to-explain events led Virginia woman to owning a home: 'I have peace'

POWHATAN COUNTY, Va. — A house on Dogwood Road in Powhatan County, buzzing with the chatter of friends and neighbors, is not something Rachel Tomlin thought she’d ever have.

For the past few years, Tomlin, an office associate with the county’s Department of Social Services and single mother of two, has been commuting from Tappahannock to Powhatan to work, about an 80-mile drive one-way.

“Housing in Powhatan is scarce, as a county employee, I can’t afford to live here,” Tomlin said.

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Rachel Tomlin

Tomlin says her story is not a rarity for other county employees who cannot afford to live in the place that they serve.

According to Habitat for Humanity Powhatan, the median average home price in the county is above $440,000.

“Right now, in Powhatan County, because land is so expensive, the need for affordable housing is tremendous,” said Susan Winiecki, Habitat for Humanity Powhatan’s Executive Director. “We are in desperate need of finding our next two lots to build on. Until we find those, we really can’t take applications.”

Habitat for Humanity Powhatan's Executive Director Susan Winiecki — Habitat for Humanity Powhatan’s Executive Director Susan Winiecki

However, Tomlin’s new home in the county is.

It was considered a “women’s build,” with a majority of the work done by women volunteering or offering construction services.

It’s also the county’s first Habitat for Humanity home that was done as a whole home renovation, meaning that the home was not built from scratch like many of the others.

And, without knowing it, Tomlin helped the past owner get help through Habitat about six years ago, through her work with Powhatan DSS.

“I fielded a call, the person that called, needed some resources for a gentleman who didn’t have any resources. Basically, as she was explaining his situation, I was like, ‘Oh, Habitat for Humanity,’” Tomlin explained.

Tomlin suggested using Habitat’s home-repair program.

A few years later, she would come to learn that the gentleman she had helped had passed, and his home was to be sold to Habitat for Humanity.

It was around the same time she took it upon herself to apply for Habitat’s home-ownership program.

In May, she found out she’d be the one to get the keys.

“If it wasn’t for her calling that day, and for me answering the phone and remembering, ‘Hey, Habitat has this incredible program that can help anyone that needs some assistance with fixing a ramp or some steps, like all those types of things,’ I would not possibly be standing in my home. This was his home,” Tomlin said.

Sunday’s dedication ceremony at the home was a full circle moment for the social services worker who lent a hand to a stranger and got a home in return.

“Because of that call, I now have a home in the county where I work,” Tomlin said. “And I don’t have to commute, I have peace. I have peace because of him.”

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Virginia

Douglas Shepp McCain, eldest son of late Senator John McCain, passes away at 66

Published

5 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Press Room

Douglas Shepp McCain, eldest son of late Senator John McCain, passes away at 66

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Douglas Shepp McCain, the eldest son of late Sen. John McCain, died suddenly at 66 on May 20, 2026, according to his obituary.

Doug McCain attending a campaign rally with his father at the David Student Union at Christopher Newport University November 1, 2008 in Newport News, Virginia. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

McCain was born on October 4, 1959, in Pensacola, Florida. He enjoyed surfing, baseball, and soccer. In 1997, he graduated from Jacksonville Episcopal High School.

Afterward, McCain attended the University of Virginia, where he majored in Systems Engineering, pledged SAE, participated in Navy ROTC, and then met his future bride, Ashley Jardine McCain.

After graduating, McCain joined the Navy to learn to fly, spending six years flying A-6 Intruders before beginning a long career with American Airlines. He then excelled and found work he truly loved, especially after being made captain.

Those who knew McCain said that he could always be counted on to tell you what he knew and, more often than not, explain why he was right.

He was also described as a loyal friend to many, and that he cherished each and every friendship that he had.

McCain was a devoted son and a loving father to Caroline McCain Hendrickson and Douglas Shepp McCain Jr., and recently found great joy in being Teddy’s grandfather.

His peers will remember him for his generous heart, his loyal friendships and his unwavering love for his family.

Private services will be held for his family. On Saturday, May 30, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., a memorial gathering will be held at the Princess Anne Country Club in Virginia Beach.

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Virginia

Virginia Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Night results for May 23, 2026

Published

18 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Press Room

Virginia Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Night results for May 23, 2026

The Virginia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 23, 2026, results for each game:

Powerball

Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m.

04-16-41-48-66, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Monday, May 25, 2026

Pick 3

DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.

Night: 0-4-9, FB: 6

Day: 9-3-6, FB: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.

Night: 1-2-5-6, FB: 0

Day: 8-3-4-0, FB: 5

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 5

DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.

Night: 0-7-6-8-0, FB: 5

Day: 8-1-0-3-1, FB: 6

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Cash Pop

Drawing times: Coffee Break 9 a.m.; Lunch Break 12 p.m.; Rush Hour 5 p.m.; Prime Time 9 p.m.; After Hours 11:59 p.m.

Coffee Break: 05

After Hours: 10

Prime Time: 05

Rush Hour: 08

Lunch Break: 04

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Cash 5

Drawing every day at 11 p.m.

02-17-21-29-36

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Bank a Million

Bank a Million draws are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m.

06-10-21-24-28-40, Bonus: 15

Check Bank a Million payouts and previous drawings here.

Millionaire for Life

Drawing everyday at 11:15 p.m.

15-20-30-45-49, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Center for Community Journalism (CCJ) editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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