WYOMING, Mich.—New legislation is now in place to save families time and money when it comes to paternity cases and child support payments.

Governor Snyder recently signed a set of 13 bills that streamlines the state system.  Legislation sponsors included Tom Hooker, who represents Wyoming; Roger Victory, who represents Coopersville, Georgetown Township and Polkton Township; Rick Outman, who represents Greenville; and Marcia Hovey-Wright, who represents Whitehall Township, Muskegon and Muskegon Heights.  The reforms include:

Establishing that a positive genetic test is a conclusive method of determining paternity, if certain conditions are met and without requiring a court determination (House Bill 5463, sponsored by Denby and HB 5464 sponsored by Hooker);

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— The Diocese of Grand Rapids has hired two more people to ramp up enrollment for its Catholic schools.

Dan Plachta will serve as an admissions enrollment field consultant, guiding the diocese’s 29 schools in outreach and recruitment. While supporting current students, the diocese plans to focus on traditionally underserved groups who could take advantage of school tuition assistance, which is quadrupling to $1,000,000.

Plachta is an alumnus of Blessed Sacrament School (now All Saints Academy) and Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids.

“As a graduate of Catholic schools in the diocese, Dan brings a personal passion for the importance of Catholic education in West Michigan,” said David Faber, superintendent of Catholic schools.

LOWELL, Mich.—Deer firearm season is here and Flat River Outreach Ministries is ready to take your meat donations.

The pantry is accepting venison that’s been processed at a USDA certified facility. The closest location to FROM is Jones’ Farm Market LLC, located at 7965 Potters Road in Saranac. 

Donating venison to families in need is not a new concept. Over the past several years, Sportsmen Against Hunger has provided more than 100,000 meals annually.  Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger has compiled a list of its participating processors, which includes Blue Star Meats in Holland, Sage’s Meat Processing in Greenville, Barb’s Deer Processing in Comstock Park.