Howell? Howell, New Jersey maybe. I’m out by Ann Arbor and have family in Howell. I’ve never seen a bear around there at all. Deer are another story. I have heard of Cougars near Cohoctah, but not bears. The closest I’ve heard of a “nearby” bear is that town center in Lansing a few years back.
I remember that well. There were at least a half dozen sightings within five miles of each other throughout Delta Township (west/northwest Lansing). Probably all the same bear.