Good morning, Huntersville.

At Huntersville's first Veterans Coffee Connection on June 13, Carolina Caring hosted about 50 veterans and government officials at Huntersville Presbyterian Church to discuss available services and share concerns—organizers said future meetings will be held monthly on the second Friday at 9:30 a.m. with guest speakers addressing veteran issues.

Birkdale Village in Huntersville will host a July 4 celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 8712 Lindholm Dr. where residents will join a bike parade at 10 a.m., cool off with a wet down from the Huntersville Fire Department at 11:30 a.m., and enjoy a block party afterwards — parking decks will be open and valet options are provided.

Local law enforcement and state partners such as the NC Wildlife Resources Commission will enforce boating under the influence during Operation Dry Water from July 4 to 6—registration for agencies is now open.

The Huntersville town board denied a rezoning request for a proposed subdivision near Everette Keith Road and Hambright Road after a year and a half of talks with developers—officials said the plan did not match the Eastfield Road Small Area Plan and raised issues with utilities and roads. The board also approved a budget amendment to purchase two fire trucks, began acquiring land for a new fire station in Birkdale, and moved forward with buying property to straighten the curve on Huntersville-Concord Road.

Today, the Town of Huntersville and the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance applauded the Senate's passage of HB 948, the P.A.V.E.

Act, which will improve transportation for Mecklenburg County. The bill awaits final Senate approval on its third reading before it returns to the House for a concurrence vote.

Faith Stearns, an occupational therapist and mother, began teaching survival swim lessons in the Lake Norman area to help children learn water safety skills.

Her 10-minute lessons run five days a week for six weeks and teach techniques like rolling back to float to prevent drowning.

Local teen Mason Madji, a rising sophomore at Pine Lake Prep, finished third in his division at the USPA Junior Nationals in late April by breaking North Carolina state records in the squat, bench press, and deadlift—he began his transformation two-and-a-half years ago after changing an unhealthy lifestyle. He will compete again at the end of July in Wilmington as he moves up to the next age group in September.