Noisy throngs greet new year at Reno, Stateline casino areas

Friday, Jan. 2, 1998 | 9:57 a.m.

Authorities estimated the crowd in downtown Reno at 14,000 to 17,000, and the throng in the Stateline casino core at 20,000 to 25,000.

Both crowds were up sharply from last year, when floods and storms kept many tourists home. Celebrants this year enjoyed dry, warmer weather.

Reno police Sgt. Loren Ross said 63 revelers were arrested at the Virginia Street blowout, down 10 from last year. Most of the arrests were alcohol-related, but two involved felony narcotics offenses.

"The downtown celebration was relatively problem free this year," Ross said. "Overall, the crowd was well behaved."

Douglas County sheriff's Sgt. Lance Modispacher said about 100 people were arrested at the Lake Tahoe celebration, which is average. Most were for intoxication and disorderly conduct, but some were for assault with a deadly weapon.

"In all, this seemed to be a typical New Year's celebration," he said. "There were many minor fights and some destruction of property, but nothing out of the ordinary ... Most of the celebrants were very well behaved."

As usual, the Stateline crowd was young with a lot of college students.

"We come up here to party and chase chicks," said Sean Klapp of Santa Rosa, Calif. "All my friends come up every year."

Lisa Marshall arrived at the gathering only hours after arriving by plane from Seattle.

"The party began on the plane - they (friends) were already blasted when they got here," she said. "We almost got kicked off the casino shuttle."

In Reno, 13 juveniles were arrested for curfew or alcohol violations.

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

Virginia Street in Reno and U.S. Highway 50 through Stateline both were closed to accommodate the revelers.

Reno police stepped up their presence after a 1980 New Year's Eve rock- and bottle-throwing melee caused one death and several injuries.

Modispacher said a few deputies suffered bumps and bruises while trying to break up fights, but most fared well.

Local casinos featured a variety of entertainers, including Wayne Newton, Dennis Miller, Patti LaBelle, the Smothers Brothers, and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.

Thousands of revelers also attended the annual Buck'n Ball at the Reno Livestock Events Center. It featured a rodeo and country music concert by the Smokin' Armadillos.