Photo courtesy of Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office Heavy lake effect snow and high winds likely kept many would-be partiers off of the roads during the New Year holiday.

HOUGHTON COUNTY — Lake effect snow, combined with 25-35 mph winds created less than ideal driving conditions last week, may have been a contributing factor to quieter than usual New Year’s holiday across the Copper Country. Law enforcement agencies reported few incidents between Dec. 31 and New Year’s Day.

Hancock Police Chief Tami Sleeman said the New Year holiday was about average. While the police log showed no alcohol-related driving incidents or arrests, with the exception of one arrest of an intoxicated minor, the Hancock Police were still busy.

“We had some disorderly people, several vehicle assists, traffic accidents because of weather,” Sleeman said, “but over all, it was pretty low-key.”

Sleeman said the first call her department received involved a self-harm concern, adding, calls related to self-harm and domestic situations usually increase a bit during the holidays.

“Holidays are not an easy time for people,” she said.

The Houghton Police likewise reported nothing unusual during the holiday. Winter weather on Dec. 30, however, was responsible for a single vehicle property damage accident and a two-car property damage crash.

“It was a pretty quiet holiday for us,” Houghton Police Administrative Assistant Polly Salmi said.

The Houghton County Sheriff’s Office likewise said it was an uneventful period, with nothing out-of-the area and fewer than expected calls.

Michigan State Police Calumet Post Community Service Trooper Alan Narhi said Christmas,

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day were normal holidays, as far as calls were concerned, reporting just one drunk driving arrest on New Year’s Eve.

“There were a number of property damage accidents (car crashes),” Narhi said, “but then a couple of crahses, just people out and about.”

On Dec. 11, the Michigan State Police said in a statement the holiday season is one of the most dangerous times of year for impaired-driving crashes.