Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Howell Township residents are pushing back against a secretive data center
You won't want to miss Wicked Party at Bounce on the Howell Patch calendar
Hello Howell! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Howell Township residents are pushing back against a secretive data center
- Worried your veteran donation jar is fake? Here’s how to check.
- How did Howell’s Luke Storm take down rival Brighton again?
Also on today's calendar: Wicked Party at Bounce.
Find out what's happening in Hartlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Howell Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T-Mobile and UScellular have joined forces to connect people from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between. UScellular is now a part of T-Mobile. Find out more at T-Mobile.com/Better-Together.
Find a T-Mobile store near Howell.
Find out what's happening in Hartlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Windy with rain, with a high of 46 and low of 24 degrees.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy; windy, colder, temps: high: 27, low: 23.
- Saturday: Cloudy with a few flurries, with a high of 40 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
📰 News we're reading
1. How the Midwest's data center gold rush may become a political reckoning (hillsdale.net) — Howell Township residents recently packed meetings to oppose a proposed Fortune 100 data center, prompting the local planning commission to recommend against the project and consider a moratorium. Their fight is part of a wider Midwest backlash as massive AI-driven data centers seek cheap land, power, and tax breaks, raising concerns about higher utility costs, water use, and limited local jobs. 
2. Vet Services: Be cautious, avoid scams when donating spare change to help veterans (thelivingstonpost.com) — If you’re dropping spare change in a jar to help veterans around Howell and Livingston County, officials want you to pause and double-check who’s really collecting it. The county’s Veteran Services Office and Sheriff’s Office report rising donation scams and urge residents to verify charities or call Veteran Services, which can confirm organizations and connect veterans with legitimate local aid.
3. Howell's Luke Storm stays hot, scores 3 in hockey win over Brighton (livingstondaily.com) — Howell High School’s hockey team stretched its winning streak to 10 games as standout forward Luke Storm buried a hat trick, including the late game-winner, in a 4-3 road victory over rival Brighton. The junior now has 12 goals in his last three games and is drawing Mr. Hockey buzz while helping keep Howell among the state’s top-ranked teams.
4. Howell reflects on PR strategy, improving image going into 2026 (livingstondaily.com) — Howell city leaders are reassessing how they communicate after hiring PR firm Burch Branded to help repair the city’s image following past extremist rallies. The firm outlined 2025 efforts, from social media and media outreach to rewriting Howell’s Wikipedia page, while councilmembers pressed for clearer strategies on when and how the city should respond publicly to future controversies.
5. ‘Tip of the spear': Protestors rally against data centers (wlns.com) — Howell is mentioned among Michigan communities where residents and officials are pushing back against proposed data centers, a fight that reached the state Capitol this week. Protesters argue the projects move too fast and risk environmental harm, while business leaders and state officials tout jobs and economic growth, signaling a debate that could shape future development near Howell.
📸 Around Howell
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Howell
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Friends of the Library Book Sale In-Person
Howell Carnegie Library Friends Book Room Lower Level
9:30 am - Wicked Party at Bounce
2755 Arena Dr , Hartland
5:00 pm - Literary Discussion Group In-Person
Howell Carnegie Library Colbert Room -
6:30 pm
Saturday December 20
Monday December 22
📣 Howell Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Haslett Boys Varsity Basketball @ Fowlerville
Fowlerville High School , 700 N Grand St , Fowlerville
5:30 pm - Mindfulness & Meditation (for the rest of us)
Sunshine & Sage , 113 W Grand River Ave A , Howell
5:30 pm - Boys Basketball (V) vs Haslett High School
Fowlerville High School , 700 N. Grand Ave , Fowlerville
5:30 pm - John Noonan's Self Defense Class
Fowlerville Community Schools , 700 N. Grand Ave , Fowlerville
6:00 pm - intenSati - Movement Mantras Meditation to Manifest Your Best Life!
Brighton Lighthouse , 142 Brighton Lake Road , Brighton
6:00 pm - Toastmasters
The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce , 218 E Grand River Ave , Brighton
6:30 pm - Trivia at South Lyon Aubree's
The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce , 218 E Grand River Ave , Brighton
7:00 pm - Girls Basketball (GBBall-V) vs Haslett High School
Fowlerville High School , 700 N. Grand Ave , Fowlerville
7:00 pm - Tinsel & Tee Shots: Holiday Pop-Up at Fox Hills
Fox Hills Performance Center , 8768 North Territorial Road , Plymouth
3:00 am
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- My dogs under went missing last night but has been found!
Thank you to the wonderful man that took him out of the cold and for everybody inquiring about him. There's still a lot of good kind people in this… (Nextdoor Thompson Lake) - A shout out to Jayden, driving an Amazon Delivery van in the area of Sleaford Rd, approx 11:30 am, 12/16.
My car was stuck in snow. I was close to getting it out, but couldn’t quite complete the task. Jayden had just complted a delivery at a nearby home… (Nextdoor Downtown Howell)
- Kroger posted a job opening for Courtesy Clerk/Grocery Bagger in Howell. Apply here.
- Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Team Member in Howell. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Howell here.
Ok Howell! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
