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🌱 Patch AM: Howell Tavern closes just months after opening—what went wrong?

Coming up on the Howell Patch calendar: Bounce Open House

Wednesday September 2nd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Howell! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Howell Tavern closes just months after opening—what went wrong?
  • Why smoke in a Howell basement turned out not to be a fire
  • How does Howell's student diversity compare to other Livingston County districts?

Also on today's calendar: Bounce Open House and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Hot and humid; a p.m. t-storm, with a high of 92 and low of 70 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Not as hot with a t-storm, temps: high: 82, low: 68.
  • Friday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, with a high of 78 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Howell Tavern Announces Closing Less Than Five Months After Opening (whmi.com) — A new Howell restaurant, Howell Tavern on Grand River near Ace Hardware, is closing less than five months after opening because sales have dropped too low to continue. Owners thanked Howell residents for their support, described staffing and perception challenges, and urged the community to more consistently back remaining locally owned restaurants. They emphasized that restaurants are vital gathering places and jobs for the Howell area.
   

2. Plumber's Smoke Test Prompts Call to Howell Area Fire Department (whmi.com) — Howell Area Fire Department crews rushed to North State Street Tuesday morning after reports of smoke in a basement, only to find it came from a plumber's smoke test in a neighboring space. Firefighters ventilated the building, ensured everyone was safe, and praised occupants for quickly calling 911 and evacuating. No injuries or damage were reported in the Howell incident.
   

3. Livingston County education: 984 Hispanic students enrolled in 2024-25 (livingstontoday.com) — Howell residents can see how their public schools lead Livingston County in Hispanic student enrollment, with 363 Hispanic students among 7,045 total in 2024-25. The report compares Howell's diversity and enrollment trends with other county districts and statewide shifts since before the pandemic.
   

4. Howell man critically injured after head-on crash in Genoa Twp. (bnd.com) — A Howell man was critically injured and a Howell woman suffered minor injuries after a head-on collision Monday on Grand River Avenue in Genoa Township. Deputies say the 78-year-old man turned from a private drive and failed to yield, causing the crash. The Livingston County Sheriff's Office reports speed and alcohol are not suspected, and the incident remains under investigation.
   

5. One of Hollywood's Worst Movies Was Shot at This Michigan High School (enjoyer.com) — Howell residents might remember when an empty William Riddle Parker High School became the set for the stoner comedy "High School," filmed locally in 2008 under Michigan's generous film tax credits. The article recounts how a controversial bond-funded second high school sat unused, then attracted Hollywood producers who downplayed the movie's pro-drug tone to win school board approval. It also revisits the broader fallout from the costly statewide film incentive program.
   

📸 Around Howell

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Howell

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Thursday September 3
  • LES PTO mtg (virtual)
    Lakes Elementary School Howell, MI 48843
    6:30 pm
  • Football (H) v John Glenn
    Hartland High School Howell, MI 48843
    7:00 pm
  • Tuesday September 8
  • Picture Make Ups
    Hartland High School Howell, MI 48843
    8:30 am
  • FIS: Instrument Rental Night
    Hartland Farms Intermediate School Farms Intermediate School, 581 Taylor Rd, Brighton, MI 48114
    6:00 pm
  • Saturday September 19
  • Bounce Open House →
    Bounce, 2755 Arena Dr, Hartland
    12:00 pm

📣 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

    Wednesday September 2
  • GBACOC Referral Group for Members-Networking Exchange
    The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Conference 218 Grand River Brighton, MI 48116
    9:00 am
  • Lyon Area Referral Group
    The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce Salem South Lyon District Library 9800 Pontiac Trail
    9:30 am
  • NTAL Wednesday Story Time
    The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce Northfield Township Area Library 125 Barker Rd. Whitmore Lake, MI 48189
    11:00 am
  • Football Team Dinner →
    Fowlerville Community Schools 7677 W. Sharpe Rd, Fowlerville, MI 48836
    4:00 pm
  • Tennis (B-V) vs Northwest High School →
    Fowlerville Community Schools Tennis Courts (FCS Grounds)
    4:00 pm
  • Spencer Elementary JK/KDG Meet and Greet
    BRIGHTON AREA SCHOOLS Brighton, MI 48116
    5:30 pm
  • Football (JV) vs Corunna High School →
    Fowlerville Community Schools 700 N. Grand Ave. Fowlerville, MI 48836
    6:00 pm

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

  • Lost cat, two year old male orange tiger tabby named Tang.
    He is chipped and neutered. Very timid and afraid. Think he got out when son came to visit, we have been looking for him, can't find him in the… (Nextdoor HighlandMeadow/AutumnCreek)
  • We recently moved into the Howell area but our house didn't have any screens in any of the windows.
    Does anyone know a place that can make screens for us? I've found places that do repairs, but not make the whole screens. (Nextdoor West Coon Lake)
  • Qualified Staffing Search Group posted a job opening for Machine Operator - 3rd Shift in Howell. Apply here.
  • Cleary University posted a job opening for Director of the Center for Public Safety Education & Associate Professor 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: Don't you 2 start anything (Thank you Mary L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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