Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania eatery sues customer who left $3,000 tip on $13 meal– his gesture wasn’t as kind as it seemed
A Pennsylvania restaurant reportedly filed a civil lawsuit against a customer after he left a $3,000 tip for a waitress. Kind as the gesture seemed, it was not as simple as the waitress first thought.
Back in June 2022, the staff at Alfredo’s Cafe in Scranton were shocked to find that Eric Smith, a customer, left this huge tip after coming to the cafe and ordering a stromboli which only cost $13.25. Mariana Lambert, the waitress who served him, became emotional and overwhelmed upon seeing his gesture.
“It really meant a lot to me because everyone’s going through stuff. It really touched my heart. I still can’t believe it. I’m still in shock,” Lambert later said.
However, finding the move obviously unusual and to make sure Smith had not accidentally left the money, Matt Martini of Alfredo’s Cafe went to verify the figure and collect additional ID from the customer. Interestingly, Smith had written ‘Tips for Jesus’ on the check.
Martini asked Smith about the note, and it is then that the customer revealed that he had left the tip after being inspired by a social media trend called ‘Tips for Jesus.’ He decided to do it after seeing how hospitable Lambert was.
Things took a turn for the worse
Martini tried to make sure the tip was above board, but things only got worse. A few weeks later, the cafe received a letter saying Smith was disputing the charge for the tip.
Zachary Jacobson, a worker at the cafe, recalled, according to Unilad, “We thought somebody was actually trying to do a good thing. And then now we are, what, three months later? Not even, and there’s nothing. There’s nothing to show for it at this point.”
Alfredo’s had already given the $3,000 to Lambert. Therefore, the eatery had to repay Smith out of their own pockets. They tried to communicate with Smith on Facebook, but eventually launched a civil lawsuit against him.
“Unfortunately, we had to file charges through the magistrate’s office because now we’re just out of this money at this point. And he told us to sue him. So that’s what we’re going to end up doing, I guess,” Jacobson said.
Community members launched a GoFundMe to help Alfredo’s raise funds, but the fundraiser was shut down after the business refused to accept cash.
At age nine, most kids don’t know what they want to do when they grow up. Some may say teacher, firefighter or nurse.
But if you ask Aiden Wilkins of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, he’ll tell you he wants to be a Pediatric Neurosurgeon. In fact, he’ll also tell you he’s close to making that dream come true.
Wilkins is taking college courses at Ursinus College. And the college freshman says academics have always been easy for him.
“Ever since I was three, I’d watch an anatomy video and was always fascinated when I saw the brain,” he said.
In a neuroscience classroom filled with 18-to-20-year-olds, Aiden is studying and learning right next to them.
“The reason why I want to be a pediatric neurosurgeon is mainly because I like helping kids around my age,” the 9-year-old said. “It’s sad to see kids around my age with neuro-disabilities so I want to help them out.”
Three times a week, Aiden can be seen hitting the books at Ursinus College. The other days he’s taking virtual classes at Reach Cyber Charter School as a sophomore in high school.
At age 9, Ayden is the youngest student in the school’s history. His mother, Veronica Wilkins, is extremely proud.
“It’s exciting because he’s making history and you know he feels great. I think it’s so important to be seen and heard,” Veronica said.
She said she knew her son was gifted the moment he was able to speak. “He was reading signs and corrected people’s sentences…writing algebraic equations.”
Three years ago, he passed the gifted test administered by his high school. About a year ago, Aiden made it clear he wanted a new challenge.
His mother did research and landed on Ursinus College for its courses and its proximity to their home.
When asked how proud she is of her son, Veronica said, “I’m extremely proud of Aiden because it’s all him. It’s all organic. I’m just behind the scenes and he goes for what he wants.”
Aiden wants everyone to know anything is possible. “What I really want people to know is that from my story all you have to do is put in work to do whatever you want.”
9-year-old Aiden Wilkins studies neuroscience at Ursinus college.
Pennsylvania
McDonald, PA shooting: Barricaded suspect fires at police during Washington County standoff
Updated on: Sept 02, 2025 08:39 am IST
A barricaded gunman opened fire on police during a standoff at a residence in McDonald, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
A barricaded gunman opened fire on police during a standoff at a residence in McDonald, Washington County, Pennsylvania, according to police scanner reports.
What we know so far
Washington County dispatch confirmed to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that officers arrived at a home on the 300 block of Fairmont Street just before 10 p.m. after receiving reports of an armed man.
Allegheny County officials told Action News 4 that their SWAT team was heading to the scene to support local law enforcement.
Social media updates indicate that the armed suspect is currently located on the second floor of the home.
No further details have been released. Authorities describe the situation as active and ongoing.
I wonder if State Treasurer Stacy Garrity recognizes that she is running for the Republican nomination for governor in purple Pennsylvania rather than red Alabama or Mississippi.
Garrity is a Trump cheerleader who shamefully perpetuated the lie that he was the rightful winner of the 2020 presidential election. That lie led to the beating, crushing, and spraying of poison on heroic police officers who were performing their duties at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Many individuals died as a result of what took place on that awful day, including officers who subsequently committed suicide, and some of Trump’s minions.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Passengers flying from Bahamas to Miami stranded for hours with no explanation
Upcoming Boston cinema screenings: ‘The Room,’ ‘Twin Peaks’ and more – The Boston Globe
Denver’s newest music venue will open on Sept. 19
Previewing Seattle’s stretch run
Milwaukee hit-and-run, 72-year-old bicyclist seriously injured
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Video: How Local Jails Are Helping ICE Detentions
Trump to speak at Museum of Bible as DOJ finds numerous instances of anti-Christian bias under Biden
How China forgot promises and ‘debts’ to Ukraine, and backed Russia’s war
Daily Briefing: Trump’s Chicago threat
Trump to award Rudy Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom: 'Great American Patriot'
-
News1 week agoVideo: A Father Took His Daughters to School. Then Came the Gunshots.
-
World1 week agoThe Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza: Everything you need to know
-
Lifestyle1 week agoHow 3 Hawaiian teen princes brought surfing to the mainland
-
Politics1 week ago‘Nonsensical’ illegal immigrant tuition policy scrapped in Kentucky, Bondi lawsuit deal
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago‘Everywhere Man: The Lives and Times of Peter Asher’ Review: Documentary Traces a Remarkable Under-the-Radar Musical Legacy
-
News1 week agoA community gathers for the first Mass after tragedy as questions still remain | CNN
-
Politics1 week agoVideo: Why Black Women Are Seeing Job Losses
-
Business1 week ago
Trump moves to cut more than 500 Voice of America employees despite court ruling
