INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Incline Village hosted a relatively safe, crime-free and prosperous Fourth of July holiday weekend, officials said this week.

From a crime standpoint, five people were arrested during a drunken driving sting on the Fourth of July along Highway 28 near the Ponderosa Ranch, officials announced Monday.

Officials from the Carson and Washoe County sheriff's offices, Sparks Police Department, Washoe County School District Police and the Nevada Highway Patrol conducted the checkpoint, which saw 1,840 vehicles pass through, according to an NHP press release.

Twenty-six drivers were directed to a secondary screening area, and of those, four were arrested for DUI and one minor was arrested and charged with being in possession/consumption of alcohol.

“The small number of people arrested this weekend is hopefully a direct reflection of individuals and families planning their recreational activities more responsibly by refraining from alcohol and or designated a safe and sober driver,” said NHP Trooper Chuck Allen.

Armando Avina, Washoe County Sheriff's Office public information officer, reported no serious crimes.

“There were incidents, but they were less fights and more just people wobbling into each other,” Avina said. “The beaches were packed elbow to elbow and that's bound to cause some friction.”

There was a healthy dose of visible law enforcement in Incline Village on July 3-4 which contributed to the lack of serious crime, said Avina.

“People basically policed themselves,” he said.

Avina worked traffic control on Lakeshore Boulevard near the overflow parking lot, and at one point during the evening of July 4, responded to a fight near Ski Beach, but said the incident had calmed and the combatants dispersed by the time he arrived.

Safety

The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District received 37 calls over a two-day period, beginning July 3, said Assistant Chief Greg McKay.

The majority were related to medical problems with a few vehicle accidents, McKay said.

Two minor incidents of fire resulting from the misuse of fireworks were reported, McKay said. The first was a small brush fire near Tyner Way which ignited near an “extended fireworks device,” according to McKay.

The second occurred when an errant bottle-rocket landed on a roof covered with dry pine needles. A minor fire ensued but firefighters were able to put out the blaze without significant damage.

“Most people enjoyed the weekend safely and witnessed a spectacular fireworks show,” McKay said. “All around, it was a fitting Independence Day celebration.”

Business

Area businesses reported heavy activity, though commerce did not reach record levels, according to a sampling of local purveyors.

“In general, business owners were happy with the turnout,” said Linda Offerdahl, president of Incline Community Business Association.

Dress the Part(y), Offerdahl's business that specializes in party supplies, witnessed many customers and a 15 percent increase over last year's sales for the holiday weekend, she said.

Aaron Nelson, owner of the Potlach, said the store was “steady the whole weekend.”

“It was probably not a record-breaker, but it was promising in terms of the rest of the summer,” he said.

Mark Pardue, general manager of Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, said the resort was filled to capacity Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and the resort's business levels exceeded the output of the previous year.

The Tahoe Biltmore Lodge and Casino was also sold out through the weekend.

“The Fourth of July is one of the top two weekends along with New Year's,” said Heather Bacon, president at the Biltmore. “It was above-average Fourth of July weekend in terms of total revenue.”

Pardue and Bacon said the number of bookings in the hotel portions of their businesses for the upcoming months look promising for each respective organization.

“I am cautiously optimistic that the tourist economy is slowly recovering,” Pardue said.