Noisy throngs greet new year at Reno, Lake Tahoe

Douglas County sheriff's deputies said U.S. Highway 50 was shut down at Stateline on Lake Tahoe's south shore for nearly five hours to accommodate as many as 40,000 celebrants.

They said about 160 arrests were made, up from last year's 100 arrests. Most were for intoxication, battery and disorderly conduct, and involved revelers under the age of 25.

The annual downtown Reno street party drew about 25,000 people and resulted in more than 30 arrests, about half of last year's 63 arrests. Most of the arrests also were alcohol-related.

"It wasn't as rambunctious as past years," said police Sgt. Kevin Foley. "Maybe it's due to an older crowd or the fact we had officers all over the place."

The crowds were up sharply from last year, when the Reno gathering drew about 15,000 celebrants and the Stateline event attracted about 25,000 people.

Authorities attributed the large crowds to dry, mild weather, and said next year's gatherings could draw twice as many people to greet the new millennium.

Law enforcement authorities have maintained a high profile at both gatherings in an effort to keep problems to a minimum.

Reno police stepped up their presence after a 1980 New Year's Eve rock- and bottle-throwing melee in downtown Reno caused one death and several injuries, and led to the looting of several stores.

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