Good morning, Huntersville.

Huntersville’s Board of Commissioners approved a $200 million rezoning for Birkdale Village to add retail, office, apartments, and a hotel—this project received a green light last month.

The town is also advancing a mixed-use development on Old Statesville Road near the proposed Red Line and a downtown residential rental community nearing completion.

Today at 9:40 a.m., Huntersville firefighters and MEDIC responded to a serious crash on Highway 73 near McGuire—one person was pronounced deceased and another was taken to Atrium CMC, and the highway remains closed as officials advise drivers to use alternate routes.

Restaurant and brewery groups are expanding their reach in the region, with new venues in South End having opened last month and others set to begin later this month and in the coming months in Uptown, Dilworth, Fort Mill and Lake Norman—Mooyah Burgers in Uptown will open in late April and a large beer hall is scheduled for May—adding more dining and drinking options for local residents.

A Newsmakers Breakfast featuring entrepreneurs Robin Salzman (former co-owner of Lake Norman Chrysler Jeep Dodge and co-founder of The Serve Pickleball & Kitchen) and John Bradford (a former town board member and tech entrepreneur) will take place April 24 at The Peninsula Club in Cornelius. Doors open at 7:15 a.m., with a buffet breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. and a Q&A session starting at 8 a.m.

The NCDMV said it will expand office hours soon to boost service availability as the state's population grows — residents can expect improved access when visiting service centers.

Former Panthers linebacker Dean Wells died Thursday morning at age 54 after a two-year battle with cancer—he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in 1993 and joined the Panthers in 1999.

He played nine NFL seasons and spent his final year advocating for cancer research and encouraging blood donations.