Briefs: Support4Vets event today

Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Director L. Tammy Duckworth will be the special guest speaker at the Support4Vets meeting at 7 p.m. today at Forest View Education Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. The meeting is open to the public. Support4Vets was started in September to build a network of volunteers to serve returning veterans. For more information, contact John Brennan at (847) 259-9740 or john@support4vets.com. The group's Web site is www.support4vets.com.

Driver hurt in crash

The driver of a Mazda sedan was taken to the hospital Wednesday after rear-ending another driver in Arlington Heights, according to Arlington Heights police. The accident occurred around 9:45 a.m. at Arlington Heights and Algonquin roads, police Cmdr. Nicholas Pecora said. The Mazda driver struck the driver of a Cutlass station wagon when both drivers were going south on Arlington Heights Road and attempting to go east on Algonquin Road, Pecora said. The driver of the Mazda, who was going about 35 mph, did not brake before the accident, Pecora said. The driver of the Mazda was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The other driver declined treatment. No other vehicles were involved in the accident and no citations were issued, Pecora said. Traffic was delayed while both vehicles were towed from the scene.

No charges in pond crash

A woman who was pulled from an icy pond she drove into Tuesday evening is expected to recover and will not face charges. Police said the woman was in a parking lot in near Hassell and Barrington roads in Hoffman Estates when she ended up rolling down an embankment and into the pond. At that point, she drove on the pond for about 75 yards, apparently trying to make her way off the ice, but then her car started sinking, Hoffman Estates Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Bosco said. Firefighter Steve Hehn and others rescued her from the pond. She was hospitalized in a condition described as nonlife-threatening.

Condos, townhouses OK'd

Des Plaines aldermen on Tuesday night gave final approval for preliminary plans for a new development featuring 121 townhouses and 102 condominiums. The Lexington Woods development, a Lexington Homes plan, is to be built at 2200 E. Golf Road at the old United Stationers site. Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten voted against the plan.

Armand's to expand

Armand's Pizzeria in downtown Arlington Heights will expand and build a banquet room. The Arlington Heights village board unanimously approved the project on Tuesday. The new banquet room will be used by business groups as well as local sports teams who stop by after games, said Gil Caringella, one of the restaurant's owners. With the expansion, Armand's will have almost 170 seats. Armand's opened at the corner of Vail Avenue and Wing Street in March 2007.