Fewer problems early at Unofficial St. Patrick's celebration

CHAMPAIGN – Just before 10 Friday night, police were seeing fewer arrests, fights and students being sent to the emergency rooms for drunkenness at the Unofficial St. Patrick's Day celebration on campus – but they also feared that the partying might escalate in the late-night, early morning hours.

"It's busy – a lot of parties still," said Lt. Brad Yohnka at 9:50 p.m. "But I don't think it ever did reach the same level as it was the last couple of years. The numbers have been down. Arrests are down a bit. House parties are pretty consistent, I think."

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