Briefs: Bank robber sought

Palatine police and the FBI are looking for a man who held up a U.S. Bank on Tuesday evening. Authorities say that at 5:24 p.m., a lone man entered the branch at 1586 N. Rand Road with a handgun. The man entered through the back door as employees were leaving and forced them back into the bank to empty the teller drawers into a blue pillow case. The man fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. There were no injuries and no shots fired. The man is described as having medium height and a skinny build and was wearing a white painter's mask with a floppy hat. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at (312) 421-6700 or Palatine police at (847) 359-9000.

Tenants' gas restored

Nicor Gas said Wednesday it has restored gas service to all units in two buildings at the Des Plaines-area Crestwood Condos complex, south of Central Road just east of the Tri-State Tollway. Gas used for heat, hot water and cooking had been off since Friday because of a dispute with management over an $11,000 unpaid bill, according to a letter Nicor posted on the premises. Nicor declined to comment on the dispute, and management didn't return a phone call. Nicor had said it would restore service Tuesday, but it took time to arrange entry to all units so that appliance pilot lights could be safely relit, said Nicor spokesman Richard Caragol.

Capital plan approved

The Buffalo Grove village board this week approved the capital improvement plan for the next five years. The plan includes 36 projects, with 26 of those, costing about $9.8 million, slated for next year. Village Manager Bill Brimm said the major amount of money in the $31.5 million plan will be going toward street improvements. He said the plan includes $3 million for completion of 6.7 miles of street and curb work in the coming year. The plan also includes $4 million over two years for a new public service center, but Brimm said the staff will likely try to come up with a different solution to space problems there. The village updates the plan every year; however, any project outlined for capital improvement must still gain individual approval from the board before it goes through.

Leaf collection extended:

Palatine residents will be getting two additional leaf collections this year. All residents with leaves after their last regular pickup are asked to have the leaves on the street by 7 a.m. Tuesday for collection. Additionally, leaves may be placed on the street by 7 a.m. Dec. 3 for a final collection. Residents are asked not to place leaves on the street until the evening prior to collection as a safety measure. Call (847) 705-5200 with questions.