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Police, state warn: 73 suspected drug overdoses, 2 deaths in 1 week in Sussex County

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Police, state warn: 73 suspected drug overdoses, 2 deaths in 1 week in Sussex County


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Over the past week in Sussex County, there have been 73 suspected drug overdoses, two people are dead and the National Guard has been enlisted to find out why.

Delaware State Police and the Department of Health and Social Services are continuing to warn the public as a surge of particularly severe overdoses happens across the state’s southernmost county.

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“Exercise extreme caution, refrain from consuming unknown substances, and avoid illegal drugs altogether,” the agencies said in a news release Thursday. “Individuals struggling with substance abuse are encouraged to seek immediate assistance from medical professionals or addiction support services.”

The 73 suspected overdoses occurred between Friday, April 26 and Friday, May 2, with toxicology tests pending to confirm two suspected overdose deaths, the release said. The majority of overdoses have occurred in the Georgetown, Millsboro, and Milford areas, according to the release.

To determine the drugs’ composition, police enlisted the Delaware National Guard Wednesday to test samples from overdose victims. Initial samples showed packages containing the following:

  • Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” a veterinary sedative
  • Bromazolam, an unlicensed benzodiazepam
  • Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid
  • Quinine, commonly used to treat malaria
  • Caffeine

The substances involved were packaged in small, white, wax-covered paper bags, police said, typically associated with heroin.

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Background: Delawareans asked to ‘exercise extreme caution’ after string of overdoses

Beebe Healthcare in Lewes held a news conference Wednesday to address the more than 30 overdoses the hospital has seen since April 25. One of those patients died and more than 11 required mechanical ventilation and intubation, Beebe Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Officer Dr. Paul Sierzenski said. Many patients also required a significant amount of naloxone to revive.

All involved agencies have warned the recent overdoses have been much more medically severe than usual. There are no patterns related to age, sex or race, Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Director Joanna Champney said at the Beebe news conference.

Support for those struggling with substance abuse and a list of Narcan training events are available at helpisherede.com. 

In Sussex, patients can talk with clinicians about substance abuse regardless of their insurance status at the Thurman Adams State Service Center at 546 S. Bedford St. in Georgetown.

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More: Fatal overdoses in Delaware appear to be going down, but new troubling trends are emerging

Assistance for those struggling with substance abuse is also available through the following avenues:

  • 911: In cases of overdose or medical emergencies, dial or text 911.
  • 988: For immediate crisis support, dial 988.
  • Delaware 211: Dial 211 or visit delaware211.org for free, confidential assistance in multiple languages.
  • Delaware Hope Line: Call 833-9-HOPEDE (833-946-7333) for 24/7 access to resources, support, and crisis assistance.
  • Treatment Connection: Find nearby treatment providers at TreatmentConnection.com.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.



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Delaware

Search Warrants in Dover Lead to Arrests for Drug and Gun Offenses – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

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Search Warrants in Dover Lead to Arrests for Drug and Gun Offenses – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware


Date Posted: Saturday, December 13th, 2025

The Delaware State Police have arrested 39-year-old Neal Barnes, 52-year-old Anthony James, and 51-year-old Kevin Walker, all from Dover, Delaware, for felony drug and gun charges following three search warrants in Dover.

On December 11, 2025, members of the Kent County Drug Unit executed search warrants at three residences on the 60, 70, and 100 blocks of Vanessa Drive in Dover. The search warrants were obtained following an investigation of Neal Barnes, Anthony James, and Kevin Walker for the distribution of illegal narcotics from their residences. During the search warrants, all three suspects were detained inside their respective homes without incident, and a child was present in Walker’s residence.

During a search of Barnes’ residence, detectives found the following items:

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  • Approximately 2.76 grams of cocaine
  • Approximately 99.76 grams of crack cocaine
  • 9mm handgun and ammunition
  • .38 caliber handgun and ammunition
  • Digital scales
  • Drug paraphernalia

During a search of James’ residence, detectives found the following items:

  • Approximately 19.88 grams of crack cocaine
  • Approximately 52.59 grams of cocaine
  • Drug paraphernalia
  • $2,472 in suspected drug proceeds

During a search of Walker’s residence, detectives found the following items:

  • Approximately .69 grams of heroin
  • Approximately .35 grams of methamphetamine
  • Approximately 11.77 grams of crack cocaine
  • Approximately 31 ecstasy pills
  • Approximately 14 acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride pills
  • Approximately 21 buprenorphine and naloxone sublingual films

Barnes was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $57,000 cash bond.

Neal Barnes

 

 

 

 

 

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  • Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
  • Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
  • Possession of a Firearm/Destructive Weapon if Previously Convicted of a Violent Felony (Felony) – 3 counts
  • Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

James was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $146,000 cash bond.

Anthony James

 

 

 

 

 

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  • Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Walker was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $39,500 secured bond.

Kevin walker

 

 

 

 

 

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  • Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony) – 2 counts
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony) – 2 counts
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 2 counts
  • Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription – 5 counts
  • Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Committing a Drug Offense with a Child in the Dwelling
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Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley

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PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley


PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Crews and customers across the Delaware Valley are gearing up for the region’s first accumulating snowfall of the season, expected late Saturday into Sunday morning.

PennDOT says it has more than 100,000 tons of salt ready and plans to deploy over 400 trucks across the region for this event.

Road crews began brining operations Friday, which will continue through the weekend with plowing on Sunday.

READ MORE | Accuweather Alert: Light snow to blanket the region Saturday night into Sunday morning

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“Maybe 1 to 3, maybe a little bit more depending on how the storm tracks,” said Brad Rudolph of PennDOT.

He added that timing is key with the snow beginning to fall on Saturday night, while many may be out and about, and with thousands expected to travel to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday for the Eagles game against the Raiders.

Preps underway for first snow of the season in Delaware Valley

“People are going to travel, they’re going to need to take it slow. We’re going to push back snow from travel lanes, we’ll make the roads passable. They may not be completely clear of snow and ice, something to consider,” Rudolph said. “We expect this storm to push out relatively early Sunday, well before that Eagles game, but we still might have some cleaning up to do. We’ll be working long after this snow is done.”

At Stanley’s Hardware in Roxborough, workers spent Friday unpacking boxes and moving thousands of pounds of salt and other supplies to fill commercial and individual orders.

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“Our aisle is filled right now. We have tons of skids of rock salt, ice melter, shovels,” said Joe Jaconski of Stanley’s Hardware.

Customers were already stocking up.

“We have food, we have shovels, just had to get some salt just to make sure we’re keeping the sidewalks nice and safe for everyone,” said Matt Skomsky of Roxborough.

Customers were steady at Stanley’s Friday, and business is expected to pick up through the weekend, but managers say don’t wait to get ready.

“I recommend just being ahead of it. Try to beat the storm because when the storm comes, it gets very busy in here-the lines wrapped around,” Jaconski said.

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PennDOT urges drivers to keep their distance from plow trucks and check the forecast before heading out.

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Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising

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Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising


Ellicott Development has expanded it local property portfolio. Ellicott’s 4628 Group Inc. purchased 695 Delaware Avenue on Wednesday for $1.025 million. Fred Kaplan Living Trust was the seller. The 8,454 sq.ft., three-story barn-like structure with mansard roofed addition is occupied by media production and marketing firm Crosswater Digital Media. It was the home of WKBW radio for a number of years. The property totals 0.4 acres in size with a large parking lot fronting Delaware Avenue.

The property is bookended by the Westbrook Apartments and Wilcox House apartment buildings, both ten-story structures. It sits across the street from 700 Delaware, the former Computer Task Group Building Ellicott purchased in 2018 and is now occupied by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.



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