Enrollment has begun for children entering kindergarten or new to the Wake County school system for the 2012-13 school year.

Enrollment started Monday, months earlier than normal, because of the new choice-based student assignment plan going into effect for next school year.

Parents of new students will need to enroll before the students can participate in the magnet school selection process that starts Monday and the application period for nonmagnet schools that opens Jan. 17.

Parents should enroll children at the nearest grade-appropriate school. Families can also enroll at the school systems' Central Administration Building at 5625 Dillard Drive in Cary.

To enroll, parents need to bring their child's birth certificate, parent/guardian photo ID and proof of address in the form of a water, electric or gas bill, or a signed lease or rental agreement. For more information, visit assignment .wcpss .net or call 431-7333.

Police seek info in car break-ins

From staff reports

Police are searching for the person or persons who broke into several cars in central Cary on Tuesday morning.

Investigators said three incidents occurred between 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Urban Drive. Jewelry and electronics were taken, according to a town news release.

Cary police are asking people in the Urban Drive area to report suspicious activity near unattended vehicles. Investigators ask anyone with information to call the Cary Police Department at 919-469-4012 or Cary Crime Stoppers at 226-2746.

Cary in Reader's Digest contest

From staff reports

The town of Cary has another chance to win money in a national voting contest by Reader's Digest. Last year, the town scored enough votes to win $1,000, which it put in its general fund. This year's contest includes grants of up to $50,000, and the magazine wants to hear stories about the town.

Last year's inaugural contest awarded money to 110 municipalities, according to Reader's Digest. Vote at www.readers digest.com /america.

Franchise to settle lawsuit

From staff reports

A Morrisville company that owns a KFC franchise in Raleigh has agreed to pay $277,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The lawsuit, filed in August 2009, accused Luihn Food Systems with failing to stop a male employee from repeatedly rubbing his body against several female employees - including touching their buttocks and breasts - despite receiving several complaints.

Luihn denied the allegations and did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

The EEOC lawsuit was filed on behalf of four women employed at a KFC on Duraleigh Road - Tina Underwood, Sheila Mungin, Sabih Sheridan and Barbara Nowlin.In addition to paying $277,000, Luihn also agreed to revise its sexual harassment policy.