Applebee’s Waitress Fired Over Pastor’s No Tip Receipt
February 1, 2013 9:00 PM 
A couple of days ago, a story broke about a photo of a restaurant receipt that did not include a tip, but did have a hand written note that read, ‘I give God 10% why do you get 18′. The note was reportedly left by a church Pastor who had a total bill of $34.93. A server who is now being identified as Chelsea Welch, posted the photo of the receipt on Reddit and it went viral. The whole thing went down at an Applebee’s restaurant and the pastor has been identified as Alois Bell, a female pastor at a church in St. Louis. Bell complained to the restaurant claiming the photo of the receipt with her note has “ruined” her reputation.
The server, Welch, has been fired for violating Bell’s “right to privacy”. Bell did describe her note as a “lapse in character and judgement” and is highly embarrassed by the whole thing.
Welch says she had no intention of calling anyone out, she says, “I just wanted to share a picture I found interesting”. Welch also questions her termination over violating Bell’s “right to privacy” because there is nothing in the employee handbook that specifically forbids what she did.
The fact is, like it or not, the pastor did nothing wrong. Writing the note was stupid and totally uncalled for, but restaurant customers are not required to leave a tip unless the restaurant adds a gratuity to the check because of a number in party policy.
My wife and I are great tippers and almost never tip less than 20% unless the service was poor, but even then, we will leave a 15% tip for the effort if nothing else. There have been a lot of these stories recently and it’s very unfortunate for the hard working servers in this country, but again, a tip is not mandatory, but it is the right thing to do and not doing it is just plain rude and tasteless.
I posted an article back in October about a move in San Fransisco to require restaurant patrons to leave a minimum tip of 25%, which did not go over well. You can read that article here. Restaurant servers pretty much get hosed with regard to their pay because typically, they make an hourly wage less than minimum wage and the tips are the only avenue they have to make up the difference.
No doubt that Pastor Bell’s actions were extremely insulting to the wait staff and she could have avoided all this embarrassment by simply not writing the note that added insult to injury….she made her own bed on this one. Leaving a tip however, was her option and she opted not to…simple as that.
Jake Owen Split His Pants During Concert In South Carolina and You Won’t Believe What Happens Next
May 22, 2013 12:58 PM I gotta say, the tighter, the better, when it comes to Jake Owen and his jeans. He, unlike some artists, has a great butt. During a show in South Carolina, his fans got a quick peek at his sexy bum when his pants spit on stage.
OK for Oklahoma Live Broadcast Photos
May 22, 2013 9:54 AM Donating now to help the victims of the Oklahoma tornado now and check out our photos from this morning!
• Visit: Red Cross Office located 29 S. Stockwell Road to donate in person
• Call: (812) 471-7200 from 5am-65pm and a member of the phone bank can take your donation
• Click: redcross.org/tristat
Eric Church Is ‘In the Process’ for His Next Album
If you've seen Eric Church lately, you may have noticed that he's grown his beard out a little bit more than usual. That's not because he's gotten lazy abut shaving -- it turns out the beard is part of the musician's process for his next album.
Veteran Reporter Has Emotional Breakdown While Covering Oklahoma Tornado
Dozens of people including children were killed after a massive tornado tore a swath of destruction through an area outside Oklahoma City yesterday. In fact, it was such a terrible scene that local KFOR reporter Lance West broke down while reporting the news.
Kellie Pickler Wins ‘Dancing With the Stars’
Kellie Pickler has been named the winner of Season 16 of 'Dancing With the Stars,' besting Disney star Zendaya in the final two. "Grandpa Ken, we got you the trophy buddy," partner Derek Hough shouted, referring to the man who raised Pickler. NFL player Jacoby Jones finished third, with gymnast Aly Raisman finishing fourth.
Country Whuppin’ – Jon Pardi Vs. Eric Paslay
May 21, 2013 3:55 PM Three wins down for Jon Pardi and two more to go to make the Country Whuppin' Hall of Fame. 'Up All Night' gained a very decisive win over Dakota Bradley, and now it faces off with another 'night' song from singer/songwriter, Eric Paslay!
You Can Help the Victims of the Oklahoma Tornado with Donations to the American Red Cross
May 21, 2013 3:35 PM The devastation in Moore, Oklahoma goes beyond comprehension and the death toll, unfortunately, continues to rise after yesterday's massive tornado that all but leveled the town of Moore. All of us in the Tri-State want to do anything we can to help and the best way to help is by making donations to the American Red Cross by calling 812-471-7200 or online at redcross.org/tristate.
Oklahoma’s Country Stars Send Messages to Those Hit by Moore Tornado
Monday's (May 20) devastating tornado in Moore, Okla. touched the hearts of country music's biggest stars, and more than a few were left worrying about friends and family they knew in the area. The state is home to some of the biggest names in country music -- Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, Vince Gill and Blake Shelton are just a few who have roots there, with one superstar having grown up in Moore.
Survivor of Oklahoma Tornado Finds Her Dog During Live Interview
May 21, 2013 1:00 PM I have discovered that when all seems lost and that the darkness of a tragedy overwhelms you, miracles DO happen and prayers are answered.
Evansville Car Thief Drives Recklessly Right In Front Of Police Station [VIDEO]
May 21, 2013 11:15 AM Here's the perfect example of what not to do if you are a criminal and you don't want to get caught. This juvenile car thief not only back his car up for a block into traffic on Martin Luther King Blvd. in Evansville, but then he grazes another car and then speeds off right past the police station in front of a police cruiser. Wow.