Ohio Court Rules City That Treated Pastor Like a Criminal Can’t Discriminate Against Ministry | CBN News In one of several different legal battles with the city, Pastor Avell was fined and given a 60-day suspended jail sentence in 2025 for keeping Dad’s Place Church open 24/7 for homeless people looking to escape the bitter cold.  Now, Judge James D. Bates of the Court of Common Pleas of Williams County has issued a final order dismissing with prejudice a lawsuit brought by city officials. The court ruled Bryan’s fire chief can’t close the church site, declaring, “The City has given … Continue reading City can’t descriminate against ministry Ohio court rules