Reminder for the week: Time to purchase your 2019 Delaware fishing license

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between March 18-24 made 1,037 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 48 citations. Officers responded to 34 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (5), use of net in prohibited area within 300 feet of spillway (1), possession of river herring during closure (20), possession of undersize striped bass (1), snagging of game fish (2), and illegal method of take – shad (2).
Commercial: Illegal gill net marking (3) and no reflector marking on gill net (1).

Public Safety: Loaded firearm in a vehicle (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (8)*, damage state property (1), dumping solid waste (1), driving off established roadway in state wildlife area (1)*, and unregistered motor vehicle (1).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind anglers to purchase their 2019 Delaware fishing licenses. A valid fishing license is required for fishing, crabbing, and clamming in Delaware in both tidal and non-tidal waters.

A resident annual fishing license costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64. Anglers under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware. Some requirements differ for non-resident anglers. Exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses if they so choose to help support fisheries management in Delaware.

Recreational anglers 16 years and older fishing Delaware waters also are required to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number, which is generated automatically on all individual fishing licenses sold through Delaware’s electronic licensing system. License-exempt anglers, including Delaware residents 65 and older, non-resident boat fishing license holders who do not have an individual license, and individuals who do not have an individual license fishing on boats covered by a boat fishing license must obtain their free FIN number by visiting www.delaware-fin.com or calling 800-432-9228 toll-free.

Delaware fishing licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, click on 2019 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk and from license agents throughout the state.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Lt. John McDerby, 302-354-1386, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913

DOVER — The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is engaging dental providers in the launch of a statewide campaign directed at increasing awareness about the addictive nature of opioid medications used after dental procedures. Dentists are among the leading prescribers of opioid medications, particularly for surgical tooth extractions. In fact, dentists and oral surgeons are commonly in a position to prescribe adolescents their first opioid prescription after the removal of the third molars, also known as “wisdom teeth.” The highest number of dental-related opioid prescriptions are for teenagers ages 14 to 17, followed closely by young adults ages 18 to 24.

DPH has begun distributing a toolkit to every dental office in the state with resources for both dentists and patients to encourage safe and healthy pain management. Included is a provider letter and fact sheet, a patient brochure, and posters for display in dental offices. The campaign drives home the message that “all pain is not the same,” and therefore should be treated effectively without opioids whenever possible. The American Dental Association (ADA) strongly recommends considering non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Motrin or Aleve as the first-line of therapy for acute pain management.

“Dental professionals have a unique opportunity to help curtail the opioid epidemic by suggesting opioid alternatives for pain management when possible, counseling patients on the risks of opioid use, and educating on proper disposal procedures,” said Dr. Nick Conte, Director of the DPH Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services (BOHDS).

A 2011 study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) estimated that dentists are responsible for 12 percent of prescriptions for fast-acting opioid pain relievers, just below general practitioners and internal medicine doctors. The opioid drugs most commonly prescribed by dentists are hydrocodone and oxycodone, which are highly addictive and have the highest potential for abuse.

This statewide campaign supports a larger state initiative to lower the rate of opioid prescriptions, with the ultimate goal to reduce opioid-related overdoses and deaths. In 2018, DPH launched an expanded section on HelpIsHereDE.com for health care providers, loaded with information; tools, such as forms and screening templates; and resources, including patient materials. Patient and dental provider materials from the oral health toolkit have now been added to the health care provider section of the website. HelpIsHereDE.com is a website providing addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery resources and information for individuals, families and health care providers in Delaware.

According to the CDC, Delaware is ranked first in the nation for prescribing high-dose opioids, and is also ranked first for prescribing long-acting opioids. DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay says that while a small percentage of providers (1 percent) are writing 32 percent of opioid prescriptions, almost all providers are struggling with how to better help their patients.

“This isn’t just about telling providers what they need to do,” said Dr. Rattay of the expansion of the health care provider section of the website. “It’s about motivating them by telling them why they need to do it. It’s also about providing comprehensive, evolving support to the trusted caregivers in our community. Certainly, the entire crisis surrounding opioid addiction and drug-related deaths doesn’t lie solely in the hands of health care providers, but they are the critical starting point, and offer the greatest potential for impacting our state’s continual move toward safer use of opioids.”

Preliminary estimates for 2018 indicate 419 overdose deaths across the state, an increase of 21 percent from the 2017 total of 345 deaths, according to the Division of Forensic Science. The CDC ranked Delaware number six in the nation for overdose mortality rate in 2017.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction in Delaware, call DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment and recovery options. In New Castle County, call 1-800-652-2929. Or in Kent and Sussex counties, call 1-800-345-6785. To search online for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit www.HelpIsHereDE.com.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

Arsonist sentenced for torching historic home; other defendants enter guilty pleas in shootings

A 2017 murder resulted in life in prison for a 26-year-old New Castle man. Deputy Attorneys General Danielle Brennan and William Leonard prosecuted the case against Elder Saavedra. In March 2017, Saavedra killed 23-year-old Lester Mateo of Penns Grove, NJ outside of a dance club in Bear. Saavedra, who was escorted out of the El Nuevo Rodeo after getting into a fight with friends of Mateo, took the SUV Mateo had just parked, chased him down and struck him with the vehicle, killing him. In September 2018, a Superior Court jury found Saavedra guilty of Murder First Degree and Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony. A judge sentenced Saavedra to life in prison for murder, plus 10 years for the weapons charge. Paralegal Lisa Loikith, social worker Meghan Fisher, and investigator Guillermo Santiago assisted with the prosecution. Scott Mauchin and Kelly Diaz of the Delaware State Police were the chief investigating officers.

A Superior Court judge sentenced a Townsend man to 4 years in prison for setting fire to his home, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Deputy Attorney General Matthew Bloom secured the sentence for 42-year-old Christopher Gregg. In November 2017, Gregg argued with one of his children, trashed her bedroom, and threw her belongings out of the window. Once everyone left the house, Gregg set fire to the home, known as the Vandyke-Heath House, and a nearby barn. The fires also damaged a truck parked close by. In December 2018, a jury convicted Gregg of 2 counts of arson in the second degree and 1 count of arson in the third degree. Deputy Attorney General Amanda DiLiberto, investigator Guillermo Santiago, social worker Courtney Cochran, and paralegal Lisa Loikith assisted in preparing and prosecuting the case.

A Superior Court jury found a Smyrna man guilty of several charges in connection to him firing a gun and damaging a car while looking for his ex-girlfriend. Deputy Attorney General Lindsay Taylor secured the conviction against Anthony Jones, 44, of 6 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Reckless Endangering First Degree, 2 counts of Aggravated Menacing, Conspiracy Second Degree, 2 counts of Criminal Mischief, 2 counts of Kidnapping Second Degree, Burglary Second Degree, and Coercion. In September 2018, Jones kidnapped two individuals at gunpoint. Jones took them to a home in Marydel looking for his ex, and when he didn’t find her, fired a shot that struck her camper. Jones then traveled to Felton, and unlawfully entered his ex’s residence on Holly Spring Road. When he realized she was not home, he ordered one of the kidnapped victims to smash the windows and slash the tires of a car in the driveway. Jones was taken into custody a short time later when police conducted a traffic stop. Officers searched the car in which Jones and two others were riding, and found a loaded .45 caliber gun. Jones, prohibited from having a firearm because of previous drug convictions, will be sentenced by a judge in May. Social worker Esther Powell assisted with the case and Detective Ryan Wright with the Delaware State Police served as Chief Investigative Officer.

An argument between cousins over a $40 debt has led to a shooting and a guilty plea. Deputy Attorneys General Timothy Maguire and Colleen Durkin secured a plea from Sequoyah Harris, 41, of Newark, for shooting Clifton Armstead. In October 2018, Armstead texted his cousin about repaying a debt. The two began to argue via text message before Harris told Armstead to see him at his home in Newark. When Armstead arrived, Harris, who was standing outside, took a .357-caliber gun from his pocket and shot Armstead once in the abdomen before fleeing. Sequoyah Harris pled guilty to Assault First Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and faces a minimum mandatory 7 years in prison when sentenced in July. New Castle County Police Department Detective John Mancuso, and DOJ paralegal Lisa Loikith and social worker Crystal Pitts assisted with the case.

NEW CASTLE (March 28, 2019) – As part of its Community Naloxone Distribution initiative, the Division of Public Health (DPH) will hold two additional community naloxone distribution events in New Castle County next week. This initiative is part of a multi-pronged approach to address the opioid crisis and reduce the number of individuals dying from drug overdoses in Delaware.

In conjunction with National Public Health Week (April 1 through 7, 2019), DPH will distribute free naloxone kits to members of the general public during the following times:

• Wednesday, April 3, 2019, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.,
  Springer Building Gymnasium, DHSS Herman Holloway Campus
  1901 N. Dupont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720
• Saturday, April 6, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  Porter State Service Center509 West 8th St., Wilmington, DE 19801

Individuals are encouraged to stop by at any time during either event. Training takes approximately 15 minutes. Each naloxone kit will contain two doses of naloxone, and members of the community who attend these events will receive one-on-one training on how to administer the overdose-reversing medication.

“This training is so important that we wanted to have an event on our main campus that would be open not only to the public, but to state employees as well,” said Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). “We all can play a role in reducing harm among people suffering from substance use disorder and, potentially, in saving a life. I urge people to stop by either event to get trained on how to use naloxone.” Secretary Walker, a board-certified family physician, will do the training at the Holloway Campus event and receive a naloxone kit.

The Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) also will have representatives on hand to answer any questions about access to treatment for those struggling with substance use disorder.

About 80 percent of all overdoses happen in a private residence – whether it’s the home of the person who overdosed or someone else’s – which is why DPH is encouraging friends, family members, and those struggling with opioid addiction to have naloxone on hand. If family or friends of someone overdosing have naloxone immediately accessible, it can mean the difference between life or death for that person.

Within three to five minutes after administration, naloxone can counteract the life-threatening respiratory depression of an opioid-related overdose and stabilize a person’s breathing, which buys time for emergency medical help to arrive. DPH recommends calling 9-1-1 immediately if you find someone in the midst of a suspected overdose, starting rescue breathing, and then administering naloxone. Naloxone is not a replacement for emergency medical care and seeking immediate help and follow-up care is still vital.

Preliminary estimates for 2018 indicate 419 overdose deaths across the state, an increase of 21 percent from the 2017 total of 345 deaths, according to the Division of Forensic Science. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranked Delaware number six in the nation for overdose mortality rate in 2017.

In 2018, first responders administered 3,728 doses of naloxone, compared to 2,861 in 2017, a 30 percent increase.

Funding for the Community Naloxone Distribution Initiative comes from state funding built into DPH’s budget for the first time in state fiscal year 2019, thanks to the advocacy of Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long and the Behavioral Health Consortium. In October, DPH also announced the agency was awarded federal funds to support the purchase of naloxone and other programs for first responders.

Community access to naloxone has increased significantly since 2014 when legislation was enacted making it available to the public. In 2017, Governor John Carney signed additional legislation ensuring pharmacists had the same legal protections as doctors, peace officers and good Samaritans when dispensing the medicine without a prescription.

Information on community training and pharmacy access to naloxone, along with resources regarding prevention, treatment and recovery are available at https://www.helpisherede.com/Get-Help/Overdose-Prevention.

Explore the history and legend of Delaware’s state bird at the John Bell House and find out why

the First Delaware Regiment was proud to be called chicken.

DOVER – Ever wonder why the Blue Hen is the Delaware state bird? On Saturday, April 6, DNREC’s First State Heritage Park will answer that question and provide visitors with explanations of the other symbols that represent Delaware.

From the well-known to the obscure, you can learn more about the elements that are iconic to Delaware, and how they were chosen to represent the First State. Each site of the First State Heritage Park will present a variety of symbols, sharing the stories of how they came to be connected to Delaware. Even if you have never heard that the ladybug is our state insect, there will be something for every age and interest level.

Visit Legislative Hall between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to find out about the animals, vegetables, and minerals that have been selected over the years to represent the state. Stop by Woodburn between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to find out about the state flag, which displays a yeoman farmer, why there is a cow on the Delaware state seal, and how George Washington had some influence. You might also be surprised to learn that you have the ability to institute your own ideas.

Some symbols are known across the world. At 1:30 p.m. the Johnson Victrola Museum will feature a theatrical presentation that explores artist Francis Barraud and his painting of one of the most celebrated canines in the world: Nipper the dog, who displays the Victor trademark, “His Masters Voice.”

First Saturday activities: April 6

9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• From Military Man to Mascot: The Delaware Blue Hen
  John Bell House, 43 The Green
  Learn the history and the legend behind Delaware’s state bird; the blue hen.
• Creating State Symbols
  Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Avenue
  At Delaware’s state capital building, experience Delaware history and learn more about state symbols, from the state beverage to the our wildlife animal, and how these representations came to be. Photo ID is required for all adults entering the building.
• Songwriting: Poetry through Music
  Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New Street
  To celebrate National Poetry Month, guided tours will highlight the great songwriters of the Victor Talking Machine Company. Hear their music on authentic talking machines.
• Biggs Kids – Peach Blossoms
  Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal Street
  Did you know that the state flower of Delaware is the peach blossom? Create your own colorful tree and see how many peaches you can find in our collection.
• A Symbol of Government
  The Old State House Museum – 25 The Green
  Guided tours will highlight the creation of The Old State House, and how it became a symbol of Delaware’s past and present.

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Last tour leaves at 3 p.m.)

• Dover’s Heroes of the Revolution Walking Tour
  Meet at the John Bell House on The Green
  Dover was a hotbed of activity during the struggle for American Independence. Learn about the people of Dover who made an impact and contributed to the symbolism of Delaware.

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• State Seal Symbolism
  At Woodburn – The Governor’s House, 151 Kings Highway
  Enjoy guided tours of the official residence of Delaware’s Governor since 1965, and learn about the significant symbols on the state seal.

10:30 a.m.

• Celebrating the History of the Delaware Department of Transportation
  Delaware Public Archives, 121 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard North
  The Secretary of DelDOT, Jennifer Cohan, will present the history of the department, and how our transportation system has evolved over the last century.

1:30 p.m.

• Francis Barraud: His Master’s Voice
  Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 South New Street
  This theatrical presentation examines painter Francis Barraud’s creation of the world famous “His Master’s Voice” trademark, one of the most famous symbols in the 20th century.

1:30 – 4 p.m. (Last tour leaves at 4 p.m.)

• “The Once and Future Courthouse”
  Historic Kent County Courthouse, Courtroom #1, 38 The Green, meet on front steps
  From the 1690s to the present, find out how this site went from a courthouse to a hotel and back again.

Admission to all park sites and programs is free. Centrally-located free parking is available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North. For more information about First Saturday events and all First State Heritage Park programs, call 302-739-9194 or visit www.destateparks.com/heritagepark.

The First State Heritage Park is Delaware’s first urban “park without boundaries,” linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. The park is a partnership of state agencies under the leadership of DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, working in collaboration with city and county government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 67