Detectives in New Castle County have pulled off a major drug bust in Wilmington that they say included crack, heroin, ecstasy and lots and lots of fentanyl.

Working with the FBI and a high-tech device that uses lasers to test the compounds of narcotics, county officials say they were able to arrest three in what they are calling a major drug ring.

“This is a great lockup, members of our high risk offenders team working with the FBI task force conducted since March,” said Master Cpl. Richard Chambers of the New Castle County Police Department.

The investigation began after county police got a tip that people were dealing drugs in Wilmington, and after a monthslong investigation, they were able to make arrests and seize drugs mainly from a home on Maple Street in the city.

The three suspected drug dealers now face a long list of charges, police say. However, they say the real story is the lives likely saved from getting the illegal drugs off the street.

“A tiny bit of fentanyl can kill a lot of people, and this is great to have this amount of drugs off the streets,” said Chambers. “This could save a lot of lives.”

According to police, the bust puts a major dent in the illegal drug market in the area, but the fight is never over for law enforcement as long as lethal drugs remain on the streets.

WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) — Wilmington police are investigating after a man’s 2-year-old French bulldog, Tooty, was stolen during a home burglary.

Police say the crime occurred around 1:15 a.m. Friday near N. West Street and E. Matson Run Parkway.

Tooty’s owner, Jahmeir Snow, says no one was home at the time. Snow says he usually takes Tooty with him to work, but he left her at home because she’s in heat. Looking back, he wishes he hadn’t strayed from his normal routine.

“Now that she’s gone, my mind is racing constantly. Sometimes it’s even hard to focus on the road. I’m constantly reminded of her because she’s right there as my passenger,” Snow said.

“I feel like someone kidnapped my child,” he added.

Police have not released any suspect information, but video obtained by Action News purportedly shows the moments the burglar walked off with Tooty in a cage in the middle of the night.

Snow says the burglar broke down the door to get in, then, for some reason, fired shots inside. There’s now plywood where glass used to be and a bullet still lodged in the door frame. Snow says important documents, electronics, clothes and shoes were also taken.

“All the other stuff is material, but the dog is the main thing we’re worried about because I can’t replace her, ever,” Snow said.

Police have been investigating since Friday but are now turning to the public for help in finding the dog and identifying the burglary suspect.

Snow says he has no idea if he was targeted, but French bulldogs are a popular and expensive breed. Law enforcement experts say thieves target them to possibly resell or demand ransom from owners.

Anyone with information is asked to call Wilmington police.

The Funding Commission’s vote comes after meeting for about year to evaluate how the state’s public schools are funded. (Photo by Photobuay/iStock Getty Images)

In a significant move toward reforming how public schools are funded in Delaware, the state’s Public Education Funding Commission voted Monday evening to adopt a hybrid funding framework, combining elements of the current unit-count system with a weighted block grant model.

The decision comes after months of deliberation involving educators, parent advocates, legislators, and community leaders.

The Commission, which was first formed in 2024 by the General Assembly, has spent the past year reviewing Delaware’s education funding system and exploring alternatives aimed at improving equity, transparency, and student outcomes.

READ: Christopher Coleman named Milford’s next City Manager

The newly approved hybrid model is designed to allocate additional funding to students with greater needs, including those from low-income families, English learners, and students with disabilities.

It also includes dedicated funding for educator positions based on student demographics and statewide salary guidelines.

Funding Commission’s decision

In addition to endorsing the hybrid model, the Commission voted on four other key provisions:

• Implementation Plan: A three- to five-year transition plan will be developed, ensuring that no local education agency (LEA) sees a reduction in funding during the phase-in.
• Local Wealth Considerations: The group will continue studying how to adjust for local revenue disparities, with an eye on reforms to equalization and state-local funding shares.
• Ongoing Oversight: A permanent advisory body composed of parents, educators, and community leaders will be established to review the funding system regularly.
• Community Engagement: A statewide outreach campaign, including town halls and focus groups, will gather public input. At least one event will be held in each county, with data shared transparently to illustrate the impact of proposed changes.

These recommendations will inform the next phase of modeling and analysis, which will evaluate how the changes could affect individual schools and districts across the state.

The Commission, which continues under the 153rd General Assembly, is expected to serve as a long-term advisory body to ensure Delaware’s education funding system evolves to meet the needs of all students.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.

Jarek can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz and on LinkedIn.

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