"Jail Chaplain in St. Joseph County to Keep his Job"

The South Bend Tribune reports.  Excerpt:

After nearly an hour of testimony from people touched by his words and deeds, St. Joseph County Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to retain Steven Coyle as chaplain at the St. Joseph County Jail.

A retired county police officer, Coyle had spent the past six months in limbo as council members considered whether to finance his salary beyond June or move to a volunteer chaplaincy program as a way to save money.

Appointed chaplain in 2002, Coyle earns about $28,000 annually plus benefits.

"I want to thank all of those who came out and spoke," Councilman Dan Herbster, R-District F, said after the vote. "It's been encouraging as a council member to see the effect of the (chaplaincy) program, but also as a Christian to see the power of the Gospel."