Briefs: No charges in store crash

The driver of the car that crashed Friday evening into a Hoffman Estates liquor store blamed the accident on a faulty transmission, police said. No tickets will be issued, Hoffman Estates police Sgt. Jim Campbell said. A 2003 Kia Spectra at 5:42 p.m. Friday smashed into the glass door of S & R Liquors at the Forest View shopping plaza, 1716 W. Algonquin Road. The driver of the car, an Elgin woman, told police the car's transmission jumped a gear and lurched forward to cause the accident, Campbell said. The car was driveable after the incident, Campbell said. At least $500 in damage occurred, but Campbell could not provide an exact value.

Fire academy for seniors

The Buffalo Grove Fire Department will hold a fire academy for seniors in March. The five-week program will be at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove. The meetings will be from 10 to 11 a.m. March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. This is a shorter version of the citizen fire academy and will provide an overview of fire department operations and the methodology behind the fire and life safety education offered to residents. A tour of the fire department will be included. For details or to register, call (847) 850-2117.

Internet meeting canceled

Due to weather concerns for today, the Parent Internet Safety meeting at Elgin High School scheduled for 7 p.m. has been canceled.

Grant for firefighters

The Palatine Rural Fire Protection District recently received $25,000 to help support their fitness efforts. More than $9,000 of the donation from insurance companies will go toward purchasing new fitness equipment, including a treadmill and new elliptical machine. The district will spend another $5,000 on new "stair chairs" used to transport people down stairs or through tight areas and the rest will be spent on a thermal imaging camera that allows firefighters to see through smoke. The grant money was given by Lemme Insurance Group and Fireman's Fund Insurance Co.