🌱 Patch AM: How the ‘Stargate’ data center fight could reshape Saline’s future

Hey there, Saline! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How the ‘Stargate’ data center fight could reshape Saline’s future
• What we know about the Saline man’s fatal snowmobile crash
• How big-money donors and a Saline data project shape Michigan’s race

Also on today's calendar: Beginners ONLY Watercolor Class.

Today's riddle: What did one volcano say to the other volcano? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Partly sunny and chilly, with a high of 29 and low of 25 degrees.
• Monday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 35, low: 28.
• Tuesday: A little afternoon rain, with a high of 39 and low of 33 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. OpenAI pushback, Meta's next steps: 5 data center stories to know for 2026 (mlive.com) — Residents in Saline Township are watching closely as preliminary work continues on the massive ‘Stargate’ data center project for OpenAI and Oracle, despite ongoing legal challenges and protests in downtown Saline. The article also tracks similar hyperscale data center battles and moratoriums in nearby townships, plus a potential University of Michigan computing facility, all of which could reshape growth, infrastructure, and energy use around the Saline area.
   

2. Saline man, 61, dead after snowmobile crash in Upper Peninsula (cbsnews.com) — A 61-year-old Saline man has died after being ejected from his snowmobile during a crash on a trail near Bay City Lake Road in Clark Township in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. State police say he hit a bump on the trail, received medical aid at the scene, and that drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors.
   

3. Michigan gubernatorial spending over $25M, on pace to resemble state's most expensive elections (michiganadvance.com) — Michigan’s 2026 governor’s race is already awash in cash, with more than $25 million raised and a data center project tied to Saline surfacing in discussions of major donors. The article breaks down fundraising strength, big contributors, and cash-on-hand for each leading Democratic, Republican, and independent candidate as the wide-open race heads toward a potentially record-breaking year.
   

4. A breakdown of Pat Fitzgerald's first coaching staff at Michigan State (mlive.com) — Michigan State’s new football coach Pat Fitzgerald has nearly finalized his first staff, and one key hire has local ties: offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan grew up in Saline before climbing the college coaching ranks. The detailed breakdown of assistants shows how MSU is blending returning staff with fresh faces from major programs, which Saline fans may notice on fall Saturdays.
   

📸 Around Saline

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 Saline

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday January 7

• Beginners ONLY Watercolor Class
  Salt Valley Arts Studio Space, 400 W Russell St, Saline, MI, 48176,
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday January 10

• Saline Indoor Farmers Market
  Liberty School , 7265 N Ann Arbor St , Saline
  9:00 am

Saturday January 31

• Adopt a (Stuffed) Puppy
  Saline Recreation Center , 1866 Woodland Dr E , Saline
  10:00 am

📣 Saline 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

Sunday January 4

• Weekly Meeting of Ann Arbor Indivisible
  Touchstone Cohousing , 560 Little Lake Dr , Ann Arbor
  1:00 pm
• Alpine Spring – Public By Request! – Jan 4
  Tipsy Ypsi - Paint and Pour , 5 S Washington St , Ypsilanti
  1:00 pm
• Dinner Series: Mediterranean
  Zingerman's Bakehouse , 3711 Plaza Dr , Ann Arbor
  1:30 pm
• Walk at Matthaei Botanical Gardens
  Matthaei Botanical Gardens , 882P+QP 1800 N Dixboro Rd , Ann Arbor
  2:00 pm
• Walk at County Farm Park
  County Farm Park , 2230 Platt Rd , Ann Arbor
  2:00 pm
• SHiNE w/ Callie
  Community School of Ballet , 2875 Boardwalk Dr , Ann Arbor
  6:00 pm
• Mr. B - Mark Braun
  The Ark , 316 S Main St , Ann Arbor
  7:30 pm

Monday January 5

• MSHL - Jeopardy.Jan
  Milan Seniors for Healthy Living , 45 Neckel Ct , Milan
  11:00 am
• MSHL - Deby's Designs.Jan
  Milan Seniors for Healthy Living , 45 Neckel Ct , Milan
  12:30 pm
• Ypsilanti Grizzlies vs Mill Creek Middle School
  Ypsilanti Community High School , 2095 Packard St , Ypsilanti
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Saline PatchAM possible:

• The Crack Medics - Concrete Crack Repair Specialist — (248) 248-5888
  “Basement Wall Crack/Leak? Text a Photo for Fast Price.
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Janitorial Associate in Saline. Apply here.
• MMI Engineered Solutions posted a job opening for Entry Level Machine Operator - Day Shift in Saline. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Saline here.

Ok Saline! 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 lava you.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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