The new year literally started with a bang and plenty of rowdiness early Saturday, keeping Lawrence police on the run responding to disturbances ranging from an appetizer-preparing knifing to the arrest of a machete-wielding man who threatened a couple in North Lawrence.

“I was amazed at the number of people who were out last night,” said Police Sgt. Susan Hadl, who supervised a shift that began at 11 p.m. Friday and ended 7 a.m. Saturday. “We hit the ground running and we had calls the rest of the night. Usually it relaxes a little after 3 or 4 (a.m.).”

One of the incidents police were continuing to investigate involved a residence in southeastern Lawrence where a family gathering was disrupted by a gunman. The man, who was not a family member, caused a disturbance in the home about 1 a.m. and then left, Hadl said. He later returned with a gun and terrorized the family before leaving.

Police have identified a possible suspect and were continuing to investigate, Hadl said.

Police did arrest a 44-year-old man after he threatened a man and woman in North Lawrence with a machete, Hadl said.

At Lawrence Memorial Hospital, a 22-year-old Lawrence man received treatment for a serious cut to his hand, Hadl said. He told police he was hurt in a dispute with someone over a knife while preparing appetizers, Hadl said. That incident also is under investigation.

Police broke up several fights, including some at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth. No one was seriously injured and there were no arrests.

And police were called to quell fights that broke out at Jefferson Commons apartment complex, 2511 W. 31st St. A crowd of about 300 people were attending a party traced to an apartment that had sustained heavy property damage, Hadl said.

“We told people to leave, so everybody left and nobody stayed to claim the apartment,” she said.

About the time the clock struck midnight, fireworks went off all over town, prompting complaints, but no arrests. Police did arrest a few motorists for driving while intoxicated, Hadl said.